Smoke from Headliner using remote start

[Idaho Mike]

It's CA and OR smoke with a little from ID.

Horrible air here in ID.

Treasure Valley (Caldwell, ID) is terrible! Haven't seen the lights from Bogus Basin for two weeks now. Can barely see the foothills.

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[Fawnbuster]

Maybe this group can help since my google searches have not. Something is burning in the cabin and I can't figure it out. Here is what happens:
1. Use remote start and let truck run for a couple minutes.
2. Hit ignition button.
3. Truck starts, fans kick on, and for 2-3 seconds smoke comes out from under the headliner in the upper left corner of the windshield above the drivers head. Has the look of cigarette smoke and a slight smell of plastic, but not too strong.
4. Smoke clears, no fire, truck drives fine.
It is a 2021 Ford Ranger Lariat Tremor. Can't get it into the dealer for a week and supposed to head up to the mountains this weekend. Worried that this is the beginning of something more serious. This has happened about 5 times over the past 3 days.
Thanks!

Mice chewing wires?

 

[IdahoRanger]

Treasure Valley (Caldwell, ID) is terrible! Haven't seen the lights from Bogus Basin for two weeks now. Can barely see the foothills.

Our daughter lives in Caldwell. We escaped the heat to McCall but the smoke is bad up here too.

 

[Stevedbvik1]

Ford trailer brake controller wiring to third brake lamp routes up through there also I believe.

 

[airline tech]

Ford trailer brake controller wiring to third brake lamp routes up through there also I believe.

Yes-but it runs down low (sill) then up the back wall of the cab to the headliner, the only wiring harness that runs this route is what is posted.

The Antenna (Coax) runs up the pillar (Passenger Side) then along the headliner

 

[dstig1]

There is the heater for the camera window on the windshield up there too. Not in the corner, but it would be something higher power. Just because the smoke is seen coming from the corner doesn't mean that is where it is being generated... Pull that headliner and look for the burnt stuff!

 

[airline tech]

There is the heater for the camera window on the windshield up there too. Not in the corner, but it would be something higher power. Just because the smoke is seen coming from the corner doesn't mean that is where it is being generated... Pull that headliner and look for the burnt stuff!

Yes - but the IPMA is powering the heater, no separate wire run.

 

[subquark]

A trailer brake controller was mentioned. Did you do any wiring up there yourself?

Like a DIY TBC install or maybe a dashcam?

I ran my front dashcam wiring up the A pillar and was scared to death of messing up the airbag. So one wire came up the pillar then across the front of the headliner AND then a wire came from the cam back across the head liner and along the side of the headliner to power the rear cam. And because the rear cam had 19 feet (no exageration at all) of cable, it all got shoved up in the headliner all along the driver side.

It didn’t occur to me that I could hit the microphone wiring. Luckily, I don't have a self-dimming mirror or vanity lights (not even mirrors, which is okay because I go for that shabby chic look with my grooming). =D

Anyway, I don't remember if you had added any wiring up there.

Good luck and let us know when you find out - my money is on Airline Tech being spot on!

 

[fob63]

Maybe this group can help since my google searches have not. Something is burning in the cabin and I can't figure it out. Here is what happens:
1. Use remote start and let truck run for a couple minutes.
2. Hit ignition button.
3. Truck starts, fans kick on, and for 2-3 seconds smoke comes out from under the headliner in the upper left corner of the windshield above the drivers head. Has the look of cigarette smoke and a slight smell of plastic, but not too strong.
4. Smoke clears, no fire, truck drives fine.
It is a 2021 Ford Ranger Lariat Tremor. Can't get it into the dealer for a week and supposed to head up to the mountains this weekend. Worried that this is the beginning of something more serious. This has happened about 5 times over the past 3 days.
Thanks!

Look at this video
In the first period it will show you how the A-pillar is attached and what is there.

 

[Motorpsychology]

Maybe this group can help since my google searches have not. Something is burning in the cabin and I can't figure it out. Here is what happens:
1. Use remote start and let truck run for a couple minutes.
2. Hit ignition button.
3. Truck starts, fans kick on, and for 2-3 seconds smoke comes out from under the headliner in the upper left corner of the windshield above the drivers head. Has the look of cigarette smoke and a slight smell of plastic, but not too strong.
4. Smoke clears, no fire, truck drives fine.
It is a 2021 Ford Ranger Lariat Tremor. Can't get it into the dealer for a week and supposed to head up to the mountains this weekend. Worried that this is the beginning of something more serious. This has happened about 5 times over the past 3 days.
Thanks!

Yes-but it runs down low (sill) then up the back wall of the cab to the headliner, the only wiring harness that runs this route is what is posted.

The Antenna (Coax) runs up the pillar (Passenger Side) then along the headliner

Well there's the problem; when the ignition is turned on after an app start, the APIM is energized and the "Today's Hot New Country" station is received and heats up the coax...

Seriously, don't remote or app start the truck until the cause is identified. It is surprising to me that a fuse or breaker hasn't tripped.

 

[airline tech]

I do not really think - Remote Start is the factor, at this point - unless the OP states it does not happen (when not remote started) - so for now I am going with (remote start is his normal routine)

I am leaning towards a (splice issue) for the Lighting - bad splice which shows itself when the ignition transitions from (at rest battery voltage) powering the interior lighting (12.2 volts - Average)
to running voltage (13.5 or Greater) now on the circuit.
So, this increased voltage is now running through a (dirty splice) increasing the resistance at that point and it is heating up (burning smell)

If you note the normal operation of the (Dome) lighting after you start the truck, you will note they stay on for a brief period (aprox 2-seconds) and then dim down and turn off. If you have the switch in (Auto-Centered)
That (2-Second) time matches his (smoke) production and is a primary factor in my conclusion for a source.
So - (IF) I am correct here, he could duplicate the issue by turning on the dome lighting with the engine running - set the center switch to (on) and you will find the light source, Front Dome / Rear Dome, Vanity Mirrors or Glove Box are not working or dimmer than the rest of the lighting as well as duplicate the smoke/burning smell.

This is all assuming he has not tapped into the circuit for power and did not use the (Upfitter) switches of the Tremor (if some additional) lighting has been added, so only looking at Factory OE Design.

The (Exterior Mirror - Puddle Lamps) & Cargo Light - Separate Circuit
The Ambient Lighting (Footwell / Door Handle/ Cubby) - Separate Circuit

EDIT:
I should also add that the (Main) circuit is powered via Fuse 67 (BJB) 50-Amp fuse (Shared)
and the Background (Illum) uses that Fuse, but is a separate circuit run
The shared circuit - powers all RH Exterior Lighting, Headlight, Fog, Position (park), both Brake Lights and the BSI (Brake Shift Interlock)

However, with PB start - it requires the Brake Pedal to be pressed when starting, this is a possible factor - but it would generate the same issue every time you press the brake pedal, and the wiring does not run into the overhead as it's a separate circuit sharing that Fuse 67, I am just noting that this is an action being performed when starting the truck with PB start, even with remote start (this action is still required) to fully power the truck.

Ambient Power - Comes from the BCM (125-Amp) Fuse, so the BCM is providing the power from within the BCM
Exterior Mirror (Puddle Lamps) & Cargo Light - Powered via Fuse 62 (BJB) 50-Amp Fuse

This explains why the fuse is not blowing, it's not a short and it is not enough increased resistance to blow it due to its size.

 

[bsr956]

Said it before & will say it again, @airline tech's skill set is a little scary but I'm glad he's on our team

 

[Ranger Lariat]

Now in addition to keeping my fingers crossed every time I start my 2022 Ranger Lariat Tremor and put it in gear my tranny still works, worry that I don’t have a way to keep fuel out of oil or at some point I may need to have my engine walnut blasted, and still wonder why I had to buy / install items (engine cover, hood struts, etc, etc) to my top of the line truck it was supposed to have. And yea, what about that water that does leak onto / in to the spark plug area, even with the engine cover I had to buy?

Oh anyway, now keep an eye out for smoke from the headliner too.

Tell me again, how long has Ford been making vehicles?

 

[airline tech]

Maybe this group can help since my google searches have not. Something is burning in the cabin and I can't figure it out. Here is what happens:
1. Use remote start and let truck run for a couple minutes.
2. Hit ignition button.
3. Truck starts, fans kick on, and for 2-3 seconds smoke comes out from under the headliner in the upper left corner of the windshield above the drivers head. Has the look of cigarette smoke and a slight smell of plastic, but not too strong.
4. Smoke clears, no fire, truck drives fine.
It is a 2021 Ford Ranger Lariat Tremor. Can't get it into the dealer for a week and supposed to head up to the mountains this weekend. Worried that this is the beginning of something more serious. This has happened about 5 times over the past 3 days.
Thanks!

Just curious if you ever located source of the smoke?

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