Bad odor when A/C is turned on

[pch316]

I get a really bad odor when I turn on the A/C or the Heat. Do anyone know what is the cause of this and how to repair. Thanks.

[njerald]

Originally Posted by pch316

I get a really bad odor when I turn on the A/C or the Heat. Do anyone know what is the cause of this and how to repair. Thanks.

Use the Search feature under Camry Gen 5 & 6.

This has been covered a few times there.

[toyomoho]

The condensate drain tube could be plugged resulting in water build up in the tray. Then mold or mildew starts to grow.

[pch316]

Originally Posted by toyomoho

The condensate drain tube could be plugged resulting in water build up in the tray. Then mold or mildew starts to grow.

Do you think another cause may be the cabin filter?

[Old Swab]

I had the same problem with my 02 Lexus and changing the cabin filter solved the problem.
Old Swab

[docktortal33]

i would check the cabin filter, leafs,under the hood dirt grime in the air intake for the ac heat

[pch316]

Originally Posted by Old Swab

I had the same problem with my 02 Lexus and changing the cabin filter solved the problem.
Old Swab

Hi guys, thanks for all the information. I will try replacing the cabin filter. How often should the cabin filter be replaced?

[Old Swab]

I replace the one's in both our 03 Camry and 02 Lexus about every 18 months. I buy them on line at www.autopartsauthority.com, same place I buy my K&N oil filters.
Old Swab

[leasaunce]

air cond needs to be turn on at least once a week, just to lubricant & maintain the system.

The simplest thing to do to get rid of the odor is to go to your local autoshop and ask for a air vent spray (about $20). then just follow the instruction (spray them into the vents, inside & outside the car).

Also there's another trick, everytime after using the Air Cond, I turn off the A/C, keep the fan running for a minute, switch the air circulation from Inside to Outside. Turn off the fan and Done. My camry had this problem couple of years ago, but now it is superb & back to new smell

[pch316]

Hi guys, thanks for all the help. I finally got rid of that odor. I replaced the cabin filter and sprayed some air vent cleaner. I went to Pep boys and they did not really know what I was talking about (vent cleaner) and they did not have it. I found out that I can use Lysol spray that kills mold and mildew and it works. Thanks again to all.

[healthman]

I would recomend putting a activated carbon filter in next time you change yours they work great i get mine at healthwiseautofilter.com .my customers love them.

[BLUEMEANIE]

If its a moldy smell its because you have to run it on fresh every once in a while. Most people only run it on recirculated which causes condensation in the system not to evaporate effectively.

Use fabreeze tho, fabreeze is an atmospheric disinfectant while lysol is only topical ... dunno if lysol also has an atmospheric version, if they do, it will work just as well.
Spray it into the external vents at the base of the windshield with it running on fresh until you start to really smell it in the cabin, then switch it to recirc and repeat using the internal intake vents. You can’t hurt the system or yourself so just keep doing it until you feel it is working effectively and the smell is gone.

The function of a cabin filter is only to stop excessive dust particles not vapor and/or scent from passing thru.

[BLUEMEANIE]

just saw the post where you said you got rid of it.

[pch316]

Originally Posted by BLUEMEANIE

If its a moldy smell its because you have to run it on fresh every once in a while. Most people only run it on recirculated which causes condensation in the system not to evaporate effectively.

Use fabreeze tho, fabreeze is an atmospheric disinfectant while lysol is only topical ... dunno if lysol also has an atmospheric version, if they do, it will work just as well.
Spray it into the external vents at the base of the windshield with it running on fresh until you start to really smell it in the cabin, then switch it to recirc and repeat using the internal intake vents. You can’t hurt the system or yourself so just keep doing it until you feel it is working effectively and the smell is gone.

The function of a cabin filter is only to stop excessive dust particles not vapor and/or scent from passing thru.

Would I run it in fresh with the A/C on or off? Thanks.

[healthman]

Cabin filters that do not have activated carbon only filter dirt.But ones with carbon do filter vapours and odours from the outside.
When spraying the product to disinfect you should remove the cabin filter first as the mold/mildew build-up is down in the evaorator case.it can also be a plugged evaporator drain.