I KNOW I have heard this somewhere and haven't been able to locate this but has anyone smelled what seems to be vinegar when u turn the A/C on? I had 5 people in my car, including myself and they began to ask ''where the hell is that smell coming from'' and I had noticed it previously... What could be causing this and are there any solutions to getting rid of that horrible scent??

 

Wow - this thread could get ugly really quickly. Not sure what you could do about that issue.

 

I know I have heard of this problem from others just not sure where to find there responses/solutions..

 

from what I heard...it is caused by moisture from the ac and the moisture overtime would develop some kind of fungus or bacteria....therefore the smell.

 

Any way to remove it or clean it out without asking the dealership cuz we know how they charge... RIDICULOUS

 

Hmmm - haven't seen the thread on this so can only offer my experiences.

In my '95 (no in-cabin filter), after 100k miles the vents began to smell - not vinegar, more of a musty mold smell. I took it to a local shop, and they recommended cleaning with bleach (think they somehow flushed it through the system). It worked, after a month or so the musty (and bleach) smells were completely gone.

On the 2k3, the vents begin to smell after the filters get too dirty. I changed them the first time it happened, and now need to again (~18 mos later).

 

First try cleaning it out. Spray a lotta lysol in front of the windshield vents (outside near the wipers) and run the heater full blast on heat for a while. Leave it and keep doing it till the smell goes away. Then after that install an in cabin microfilter. I think the 5th gen has the provisions for it, but it doesnt come installed stock so you'll have to order one, while the 5.5 gen come with the filter stock.

Also, running just the fan or the heater for like a minute after you get out of the car (after running the AC), will prevent you from getting that smell further down the road, so that condensation doesnt build up.

 

Turn off your A/C button and leave the blower running until warm air begins...THEN shutdown your engine.

That's how you minimize condensation in the A/C vents, which grows mold and smells bad.

Also, change your HEPA filter, if you haven't recently.