4th gen AC smells bad

[Deaner9505]

Shortly after switching from AC to vent in my '05 the vents let out a pretty sour smell that is getting on my nerves. The smell goes away once the AC is back on. Does anyone else experience this? I thought maybe it had something to do with condensation...but my old '95 4runner never did this, or a bunch of cars ive been in for that matter.

 

[G.I.G.]

I can't explain why that is happening but I think what you are experiencing is pretty common. I've noticed that on just about every car I've owned.

You might be right about the condesation thing. I've noticed on many cars that if you have the AC on then just go to vent, it stinks in the car for a few minutes until it airs out or you turn the AC back on. Not sure what causes it but it sounds normal.

 

[jimsi]

look at your cabin air filter

pull your cabin air filter to see if it's the cause. My minivan had the same problem and I changed the cabin filter and all is good.

 

[tomhaney1]

Open the window when you fart next time!

 

[RamThis]

Open the window when you fart next time!

Damnit I was gonna say that!!!

Spray some Lysol down the cowl vents and crank up your AC. Could be some mildew/mold down in the drain pan. We did this at a shop I worked at and people said that it worked like a charm.

 

[swimmer2361]

Damnit I was gonna say that!!!

Spray some Lysol down the cowl vents and crank up your AC. Could be some mildew/mold down in the drain pan. We did this at a shop I worked at and people said that it worked like a charm.

Yes thats what I did when I first got my 4runner, it worked flawlessly.

 

[Falls]

For some odd reason I've noticed this in foreign vehicles more than domestic. I've never noticed it in domestic trucks I had.

 

[Mark86]

Do you ride with the the air on recirculate a lot? I think that can cause the smell you are experiencing.