Bad air smell

[Momaru]

I've noticed that when I turn off my a/c there is a very bad smell that comes out of the vents for a few minutes. This actually has been happening even when my Corolla was new. I've searched around the forums and suggestions were to replace the cabin air filter and possibly use a cleaner for the system.

The smell only occurs after I turn off the a/c. It never smells if I use normal air, heat, or when the a/c is actually on. Kind of like a vinegar (sour) smell.

I bought the cabin filter and replaced it. The old filter does look real dirty, and it's been almost a year from off the lot. Anyways, it still smells and I am going to try to buy the BG Frigi-Fresh stuff, that a few forum people suggested, but where do I spray it in a 09 Corolla?

[NotoriousMLC]

i had that problem. i just press the far left botton next to the "A/C" botton. i leave it on. but the smell is gone.

[Jim Bob Jones]

Might try to refrain from cutting the cheese while you're cruising.

[cabur]

Usually caused by condensation collector pan not draining out.

If it's under warranty tell your dealer on your next visit. If not try to blow some air on drain hose from under the car.

[djb383]

Originally Posted by NotoriousMLC

i had that problem. i just press the far left botton next to the "A/C" botton. i leave it on. but the smell is gone.

Leaving the system in 'recirculate/max' is not recommended as a musty smell may begin to develope.

[Punks_Not_Dead5]

Change your cabin air filter...

[pmcd76]

i have this problem too, you're not alone.

[Momaru]

Originally Posted by Punks_Not_Dead5

Change your cabin air filter...

Sorry, but either I didn't explain properly or you misread. I changed my cabin air filter already, but it still has the smell after I turn the a/c off.

[thestone11]

it is the ammonia in the a/c. It happens to basically all the cars that I owned.

[johncal]

I used to always get that with my Caravan. I just put it on AC, fan high and sprayed some lysol in the air intake (of the car NOT the engine). It kills all the bacteria, etc that sits in the water in the systems. Just a thought.

[Punks_Not_Dead5]

sorry i missed that part of your post lol.

[cabur]

Originally Posted by thestone11

it is the ammonia in the a/c. It happens to basically all the cars that I owned.

Where is ammonia used in air-con?
I know ammonia is used in small table top refrigerators as refrigerant.
Anyway it's a sealed system. If you're smelling the refrigerant the system is leaking.

[jdhog]

I get this also in my Matrix occasionaly.

I read somewhere a while ago and it seems to help. When you're coming to the end of your journey or whatever, turn the recirculate off and turn the A/c off and then blast the fan on high for a minute or two before shutting down the car. It's supposed to blow out the moisture left in there that causes the smell.

Johncal has good idea on spraying lysol in the cabin air intake, I think the intake on mine is under the hood in the windshield cowling area.......

[Momaru]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I guess I will try cranking the fan on high first and see if it helps for a couple of weeks. If it is still like that, I will try spraying Lysol to the intake.

Umm.... where is the intake located?

If all else fails I guess I can let Toyota deal with it. Would it be a warranty covered thing?

[Honda city]

When you se your AC there is some condensation from the humidity that accumulates. If you blow clean air without the AC on it will dry up the condensation. In the worse case if it smells realy bad and the smell does not go away, you might have to go outside the car and spray Lysol into the AC air vent near you windsheild wiper. DO this with the AC off and the fan turned up high. The smell that never goes away means you have mold in your AV vents.