electrical burning smell coming from fireplace

[brian ayerst]

hi guys just started getting electrical burning smell from fireplace, wonder if anybody else had experience with this problem and what the cause was. Is it difficult to remove the fireplace to check it out. Getting cool nights in the rgv and sure miss the comfort of it. thanks

[BB_TX]

A not uncommon problem. Loose/bad connection(s) equal overheating and burning. Several have posted pictures of theirs and will be along shortly.

[dieselguy]

Some have had loose electrical connections on top of the fireplace as in twist caps or screw connectors. Some experiences to the point of roasting the wires. I urge you not to use it again until it's checked out. There are some screws in the side panels that fasten it to the woodwork. Remove them and it pulls out.

[H. John Kohl]

Yes I had the same thing (more or less) happen. Here is one of the pictures. I would chase the cause and fix immediately to prevent possible fire.


Here is my post with pictures.

What I think happened is the screw because loose and only a couple of wires was carrying all the current which caused them to get hot like a toaster or heating element and burned.

It is easy to gain access and replace the bad parts.

Good luck and let us know if you need help.

[racerjoe]

I would not use it until you know what is going on. If you can pull the plug do it. I would not run it when you go to bed.be safe rather than sorry

[DONnANNIE]

quote:brian ayerst Posted - Jan 29 2012 : 9:27:26 PM
hi guys just started getting electrical burning smell from fireplace, wonder if anybody else had experience with this problem and what the cause was. Is it difficult to remove the fireplace to check it out. Getting cool nights in the rgv and sure miss the comfort of it. thanks

I had the same problem. John Kohl's photo looks just like my fireplace. I called Dimplex and they sent out a repair kit right away. I installed the new parts and it has been fine ever since. Just make sure all your connections are tight.

[brian ayerst]

thanks everyone got a little nervous so removed unit and have pulled the plug until I can get at it in the morning, will post what I find

[washley1]

You know,
I have searched for those phantom screws that hold in the fire place, and have yet to find them! My unit has little CD or DVD cubby holes on either side of the fire place, and though I have reached in each side and felt around, I have not found them. Any thoughts?

[wingerphil]

Walt,

I'm not sure if yours is the same as mine (07 3400) but mine had wooden plugs that covered the screws on the mantel/wooden fascia. You have to remove the plugs and there really is no way to do that without destroying them and then take the fascia off. The screws that hold the metal fireplace insert in should then be visible and can be removed and the fireplace just slides out.
The wooden plugs can be purchased at Lowes and restained. I removed mine by screwing in a sheet metal screw into the plug and then pulling it out with pliers.

Like I said I'm not sure our fireplaces are the same since Keystone is known to change things up from year to year but that is how mine came out.

Phil

[brian ayerst]

well got it out 4 screws, does not look like the picture of the other one when apart, found there was a series of three lights across the bottom when turned on two would light but not the third and after about 3 minutes running the sochet of the second one started to smoke and smell, will have another look tomorrow.

[brian ayerst]

hi= there is three decretive looking bulbs along the bottom of the unit, seems to be hooked together in a series, the third bulb on the left was not working and the centre bulb was overheating and starting to smoke and smell so I changed the unlit bulb to the centre to see if it was burnt out and it was, so now have the two end bulbs working and centre unlit and am not getting the burning smell, so is it possible that the curcuit was not being completed and overheating the centre socket, have run the unit for about 20 minutes and all seems good other than centre bulb burnt and when I replace burnt bulb will it be alright. I know next to nothing about electricity so hope somebody can help

[brian ayerst]

just called dimplex and they figure centre socket is bad and are sending three replacement sockets but figure I will only have to change centre one. They are replacing them free of charge even though my warranty is up. thanks for the support hopefully problem is resolved