Why does my car air conditioner put out this smelly, moldy scent and how can I fix it?

Answer 1

The system has a drain and it might be clogged up and storing water. Have the drain checked and then you can go to a parts store and get a product called Frigie Fresh from BG that you spray into the vents to kill and prevent mold smell

Answer 2

QI turned on the air conditioning in my car for the first time this year and a musty odor poured out. I remember you had a solution to that, but I can't remember what it was. Please print it again.

AA musty odor from a vehicle's air conditioning typically means the drip pan isn't draining properly and needs repair.

But you can at least eliminate the odor with Atmosklear, a fragrance-free odor eliminator from Twin Star Industries of Bloomington.

Here's what you do:

• Inside the car, pump spray Atmosklear a couple times directly into each vent.

• Start the engine with the windows open, set the ventilation system on cool with the fan on high, but do not turn on the air conditioning yet.

• With the car running, pump spray 10 to 12 times into the vehicle's cowl (that's the air intake vent located under the wipers on the car's exterior).

• Get back in the car, close the windows and spray the interior air about eight times.

• Turn on the air conditioner, set the ventilation system to the recirculate mode and let it run for seven to 10 minutes. Any excess Atmos klear that comes out of the vents can be wiped away. It's nontoxic, biodegradable and safe for fabrics.

Atmosklear is available at many Ace hardware stores such as Diamond Lake Hardware in Minneapolis, food co-ops such as Lakewinds in Minnetonka and by mail order from Twin Star at 1-800-977-4145 and the Web site: http://http://www.atmosklear.com.

A 16-ounce bottle of Atmosklear costs about $10. That's enough to eliminate your car's odor.

Answer 3

Probably a filter. I usually get that smell when I first use the AC after winter. Try running it for a few days, but turn the vents away from you and open the back windows. This usually works for me.

The cause is probably water that was in the pump or lines and has been standing for a while. If it doesn't go away in a couple of days, take it to a professional to be checked.

Answer 4

My mother had the same problem years ago. It turned out that there were mice living in her car air conditioner! They had died and were rotting inside the vents. I say go have it checked out.

Answer 5

The drain is plugged causing a buildup of moisture leading to mildew. Try to clear it or have your "friendly" car repair shop clear it. It's the one under the car that leaves that little puddle of water under the car after using air condiitoning and parking.

Answer 6

buy a car freshener. there's ones you can attatch to the air vent so a nice smell will come thro. this might be a short term answer, but at least you dont have to put up with the smell! x

Answer 7

IM NOT A HUNDRED PERCENT SURE HOW TO FIX IT BUT I SOUNDS DEFINETLY (TO ME ) LIKE THE CONDENSATION THAT BUILDS UP IN AND AROUND THE VENTS FROM THE AIR GOING HOT TO COLD. MOLDS TO THE METAL , FABRIC, RUBBER ETC. IN THE CAR , WHEN U SHUT IT OF FIT SITS ND STARTS TO MOLD.
I WOULD SUGEST ONE WAY AND THAT IS TO TURN OFF THE VENT WHEN AC IS ON AND TAKING IT TO A MECHANIC WHO KNOWS MORE THAN ME
BUT A GAIN THE MOLD IS THE PROBLEM

Answer 8

mine did it and I turned it to the "inside air" setting and only to the upper vents, took lysol and sprayed it toward the floor vents so it would suck it back up and out-and it's been fine ever sinces then. It's the whole weather change and condensation and stuff.

Answer 9

check if a/c have a filter, might need to clean the condensor for the grime build up ,check for proper drainage

Answer 10

cat prob pissed in the outside vents has happened to me before.