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Golferdave78's avatar
Golferdave78
Explorer
Mar 08, 2016

2013 Enclave engine light on and burning smell

I just towed my 2013 Buick Enclave behind my 2015 DSDP.
When I got home and unhooked the Enclave the Engine idiot light was on and there was a burning smell
Pretty sure I followed instruction correctly but
Transmission in N
Pulled 3 fuses
Key in Acc
Any thoughts???
  • I tow a 2015 Acadia and you did all the right things as long as you did them in the correct order per the owners manual.

    The check engine lights comes on after towing on my car too, sometimes. After driving it several times afterwards it goes out. I have not had any engine problems

    The smell could be just oily build up on the cars exhaust system from the diesel exhaust from your motorhome. I have never experienced this issue. Did you release the brake completely once hooked to the motorhome?

    Paul
  • eHoefler wrote:
    Isn't the transfer case the one that is suppose to be in neutral, not the transmission??

    I sincerely doubt there's a neutral on the transfer case on a 13 enclave.
  • Isn't the transfer case the one that is suppose to be in neutral, not the transmission??
  • j-d wrote:

    The Check Engine Light/Malfunction Indicator Light (CEL/MIL) is another issue. If you followed the towing rules, you shouldn't have done anything to set it off. You pulled fuses. Did you perhaps pull a wrong one, even if you put it right back? .


    My thoughts too. I was troubleshooting an issue with my daily driver and switched two identical relays. This triggered the cel. I read the code with a scanner and it was because the power had been interrupted through this relay. My biggie, just reset the code and all was well.

    If you don't want to buy a scanner, bring it to any auto parts store, they will generally scan if for free
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    It's common for a vehicle that's been towed over a distance to get "crud" in the engine compartment that burns off when you first drive it again. DSDP creates a big suction behind it and I imagine the exhaust is a little oily/sooty.

    The Check Engine Light/Malfunction Indicator Light (CEL/MIL) is another issue. If you followed the towing rules, you shouldn't have done anything to set it off. You pulled fuses. Did you perhaps pull a wrong one, even if you put it right back? I did that once on a much older car, wasn't even OBD2, and got a CEL I couldn't re-set myself. Had to get a shop to do it.

    Hopefully it drives OK and if it does, go have it scanned. Record any codes found, but again hopefully it can be re-set and doesn't come back.

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