Hyundai Repair: transmission, radiator fan motor, hyundai santa fe

Question
What are other possible causes, if not transmission?----------------------------------------
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-----Question-----
I have a 2002 hyundai Santa Fe 2.4 liter,AWD.After driving uphill in the mountains for several miles,I notice a faint" burnt rubber smell".Also while using lower gears downhill sometimes.Fluid was changed and eliminated smell for a while.Is the transmission on it's way out?
-----Answer-----
The transmission beginning to slip and burn the clutches would be my top guess.  The fact that it occurs when climbing or in low gears on descent supports that idea, as well as the fact that the odor went away after changing the fluid.  If it's been more than 15,000 miles since you've last changed the fluid, you might try changing the fluid again.


It's also important, however, to remember that you're laboring the engine as well.  A good way to check whether the odor is coming from the transmission is to pull over, get out, and remove the dipstick.  If the odor is emanating from the dipstick tube (indicated by a much stronger smell when the dipstick is removed), then the problem is confirmed to be in the transmission.  If the odor doesn't seem to be any stronger coming from the dipstick tube, you should probably try to pinpoint where the odor is originating.

Answer
Realistically, anything that heats up could be causing a similar odor.  Could be the brakes overheating, a worn radiator fan motor, oil leaking onto the engine, a belt slipping, etc.  Although I agree based on your description that the transmission is the most likely culprit, it's important to keep an open mind about where the odor may be originating.