Ford Repair: 1998 Ford Escort Air Con, ford escort mk vii, blower motor resistor

Question
I have a UK spec 1998 Ford Escort (Mk VII) with factory air con. I have a problem. The heater and blower work perfectly with no issues on the standard setting, but as soon as the air con button is pressed to activate the a/c the bulb in the switch illuminates as it should but all that comes out of the vents is an acrid burning smell. The blower keeps running as it should, and the fuse (correct rating) does not blow. Switch the a/c button off and the burning instantly ceases. I have removed the instrument panel and can confirm the burning smell and smoke definitely come through the air vents and are not relating to any of the wiring behind the dash. Is this a known problem and is there an inexpensive fix please? Thanks Martin.

Answer
Martin
    i don't have any bulletin access to UK vehicles but as far as U.S.vehicles i don't know of a common problem, that being said several times a year we see vehicles with leaves/litter etc inside evap case and blower motor resistor burns it at times because it gets red hot when fan is working
but as far as a/c button i don't know off hand what that might be because electrical should blow fuse if shorted enough to get hot. a/c compressor itself may be locked up and burning when engaged.
                                                         Good luck.