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Old Aug 31, 2006 | 03:10 AM
  #1  
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Default a/c smells like ***

I have a problem with my a/c vents. It smells like mold or mildew is growing inside them and it smells for the first like 30 seconds or so then goes away. I'm sure its not really healthy to breathe it. Anyways I have come to the conclusion that I need to spray some sort of disinfectant into the a/c intake in the cowl. However, I am unsure what to use. I am not going to spray lysol in the vents because I don't want my camaro to smell like bowling alley shoes. Please make a suggestion of a product.
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Old Aug 31, 2006 | 07:17 AM
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my dad had that problem, just buy a/c deodorizer or whatever its called at vatozone
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Old Aug 31, 2006 | 07:52 AM
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Be sure you don't have a clogged condensation drain. You don't want moisture building up inside the car. I would think Arizona wouldn't have a lot of this, due to the very low humidity. The algae/mildew can cause a blockage in the tube.
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Old Aug 31, 2006 | 12:29 PM
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Air Conditioning Odor (Install Kit) #99-01-39-004A - (May 22, 2001)
Air Conditioning Odor (Install Kit)
1993-2002 Passenger Cars

1993-2002 Light & Medium Duty Trucks

This bulletin is being revised to update the model years, service procedure, parts information and to add the GEO and Medium Duty models. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 99-01-39-004 (Section 01 - HVAC).

Condition
Some customers may comment on odors emitted from the air conditioning system, primarily at start-up in hot humid climates.

Cause
This odor may be the result of microbial growth on the evaporator core. When the blower motor fan is turned on, the microbial growth may release an unpleasant, musty odor into the passenger compartment.

There are several other possible sources of a musty odor in a vehicle. A common source is a water leak. Follow the Service Manual procedure for identifying and correcting water leaks if other odor sources are found. The procedure contained in this bulletin is only applicable if the source of the odor has already been determined to be the HVAC module.

Correction
To remove odors of this type, it is necessary to eliminate the microbial growth and prevent its reoccurrence. To accomplish this, the following steps must be completed:

Apply evaporator core Cooling Coil Coating (Aerosol 6 oz), P/N 12377951 (AC Delco® 15-102) (in Canada, use P/N 10953503) or Cooling Coil Coating Kit with Extension Nozzle, P/N 12346391 (AC Delco® 10-120). Refills are available for the Cooling Coil Coating Kit with Extension Nozzle, P/N 12346391 (AC Delco® 10-120). Refer to the chart below.
Install the Electronic Evaporator Dryer, P/N 12497910 (AC Delco® 15-5876).

Important
The Cooling Coil Coatings listed above are the only GM approved products for the disinfection and long-term control of evaporator microbial growth.


The Cooling Coil Coating will disinfect the evaporator core and help inhibit the growth of future mold and mildew.

The Electronic Evaporator Dryer will activate when the ambient temperature near the module is above 16° C (60° F) when the vehicle is started up. Approximately 30 minutes after the vehicle has been turned off, the blower will activate for 10 seconds every 10 minutes for 2 hours unless the vehicle is restarted. If a restart occurs, the Electronic Evaporator Dryer module will reset automatically. This on/off blower activation will dry the evaporator core and case reducing the chance of reoccurring A/C odor. The Electronic Evaporator Dryer is self fused and has a battery rundown protection feature that inactivates the dryer if voltage drops below 12.5 volts.

Service Procedure
Visually inspect the air conditioning evaporator drain hose for obstructions and/or working condition.
The cooling coil coating fluid must be applied to a dry evaporator core. Apply coil coating fluid as described in the instructions supplied with the kit. In some instances, the blower motor resistor can be removed for this spraying operation. If used, the opening can be taped over and the nozzle inserted through a hole in the tape. The kit instructions identify a drilling procedure to apply the coating fluid. When using this type of procedure, care must be taken to avoid evaporator damage and any holes must be properly sealed. Some coating fluid may overflow from the drain hose.

Important
When installing the Electronic Evaporator Module, you MUST use the included electrical splice connectors to ensure a proper splice.


Complete detailed installation instructions and wire connectors are supplied with the Electronic Evaporator Dryer. The ground wire should be attached to a body ground source. If any other wire splicing procedures are needed, follow the wire repair procedures in the Electrical sub-section of Body & Accessories in the appropriate Service Manual. If required, the evaporator dryer can be installed underhood away from extreme heat conditions (i.e. exhaust manifolds) and/or water splash areas. In all cases, the evaporator dryer module must be secured with a Velcro® strip (not included in the kit), or you may use the integral hooks to utilize tie straps. Using a Velcro® strip is preferred as the use of the integral hooks may cause rattles.
When the installation procedure is complete and power is supplied, the module will self-test. Thirty seconds after power is supplied, the high blower speed will be activated 3 times (for 2 seconds per cycle). When the test has run, install the Electronic Evaporator Dryer label on the blower motor case in a visible area.
Parts Information
Part Number
Description

12377951

(AC Delco® 15-102)
Cooling Coil Coating (Aerosol 6 oz)

12346391

(AC Delco® 10-120)
Cooling Coil Coating Kit w/Extention Nozzle

12346390

(AC Delco® 10-121)
Refill for Cooling Coil Coating Kit

12497910

(AC Delco® 15-5876)
Electronic Evaporator Dryer Module Kit
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Old Aug 31, 2006 | 01:21 PM
  #5  
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damn thats a lot of parts. sounds expensive. but thanks.
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Old Aug 31, 2006 | 01:24 PM
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Thats just what the service bulletin calls for, and its only .8 of an hour labor......i dont think the parts would be too expensive if you did it yourself. Ron
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Old Aug 31, 2006 | 01:57 PM
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Originally Posted by nickls1
damn thats a lot of parts. sounds expensive. but thanks.
Better than driving thinking there's a turd on your front seat...
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Old Aug 31, 2006 | 02:01 PM
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Go to a parts store and get this stuff called frigi-fresh, napa carries it i belive. Spray into the fresh air inlet duct, that will fix it.
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Old Aug 31, 2006 | 09:48 PM
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you can bypass all of that and kill the "mold" with lysol spray. it kills the mold but will smell funny (like lysol) for a few days, two at most. do it once or twice and the mold that is causing the smell should be gone. the smell good stuff only maskes the smell and will return. you have to get rid of the mold to get rid of the smell.
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Old Sep 1, 2006 | 12:46 PM
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^^^ Thats what frigifresh is for, specifically autotive mold in a/c condensers
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Old Sep 1, 2006 | 01:27 PM
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Automotive mold? I didn't know there was a mold just for automobiles.
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Old Sep 1, 2006 | 04:12 PM
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For the type of mold on the A/C condenser, came out wrong the 1st time
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Old Sep 2, 2006 | 02:52 AM
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probably farted or something lol jk
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Old Sep 2, 2006 | 05:57 PM
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holy F***. those parts from the bulletin are listed at over 1k and fred beans has them for 732 dollars. Definitely not gonna do this. I'm just getting the frigifresh spray.
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Old Sep 2, 2006 | 06:05 PM
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Originally Posted by SC_Camaro
you can bypass all of that and kill the "mold" with lysol spray. it kills the mold but will smell funny (like lysol) for a few days, two at most. do it once or twice and the mold that is causing the smell should be gone. the smell good stuff only maskes the smell and will return. you have to get rid of the mold to get rid of the smell.

the Frigi fresh is the way to go i just did this to my beater car i just bought a 91 cavalier with 31k miles it was a old lady garage queen and had the basement mold smell and the frigi fresh took quick care of the moldy smell probolem
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Old Sep 2, 2006 | 06:26 PM
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Here is what I do,

I run the heat on high for a couple of minutes, before I shut off the car, to dry the A/C system.

You don't need to do this every time, but try to do it often.


PSJ
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Old Sep 2, 2006 | 10:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Rons 5.3
Air Conditioning Odor (Install Kit) #99-01-39-004A - (May 22, 2001)
Air Conditioning Odor (Install Kit)
1993-2002 Passenger Cars

1993-2002 Light & Medium Duty Trucks

This bulletin is being revised to update the model years, service procedure, parts information and to add the GEO and Medium Duty models. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 99-01-39-004 (Section 01 - HVAC).

Condition
Some customers may comment on odors emitted from the air conditioning system, primarily at start-up in hot humid climates.

Cause
This odor may be the result of microbial growth on the evaporator core. When the blower motor fan is turned on, the microbial growth may release an unpleasant, musty odor into the passenger compartment.

There are several other possible sources of a musty odor in a vehicle. A common source is a water leak. Follow the Service Manual procedure for identifying and correcting water leaks if other odor sources are found. The procedure contained in this bulletin is only applicable if the source of the odor has already been determined to be the HVAC module.

Correction
To remove odors of this type, it is necessary to eliminate the microbial growth and prevent its reoccurrence. To accomplish this, the following steps must be completed:

Apply evaporator core Cooling Coil Coating (Aerosol 6 oz), P/N 12377951 (AC Delco® 15-102) (in Canada, use P/N 10953503) or Cooling Coil Coating Kit with Extension Nozzle, P/N 12346391 (AC Delco® 10-120). Refills are available for the Cooling Coil Coating Kit with Extension Nozzle, P/N 12346391 (AC Delco® 10-120). Refer to the chart below.
Install the Electronic Evaporator Dryer, P/N 12497910 (AC Delco® 15-5876).

Important
The Cooling Coil Coatings listed above are the only GM approved products for the disinfection and long-term control of evaporator microbial growth.


The Cooling Coil Coating will disinfect the evaporator core and help inhibit the growth of future mold and mildew.

The Electronic Evaporator Dryer will activate when the ambient temperature near the module is above 16° C (60° F) when the vehicle is started up. Approximately 30 minutes after the vehicle has been turned off, the blower will activate for 10 seconds every 10 minutes for 2 hours unless the vehicle is restarted. If a restart occurs, the Electronic Evaporator Dryer module will reset automatically. This on/off blower activation will dry the evaporator core and case reducing the chance of reoccurring A/C odor. The Electronic Evaporator Dryer is self fused and has a battery rundown protection feature that inactivates the dryer if voltage drops below 12.5 volts.

Service Procedure
Visually inspect the air conditioning evaporator drain hose for obstructions and/or working condition.
The cooling coil coating fluid must be applied to a dry evaporator core. Apply coil coating fluid as described in the instructions supplied with the kit. In some instances, the blower motor resistor can be removed for this spraying operation. If used, the opening can be taped over and the nozzle inserted through a hole in the tape. The kit instructions identify a drilling procedure to apply the coating fluid. When using this type of procedure, care must be taken to avoid evaporator damage and any holes must be properly sealed. Some coating fluid may overflow from the drain hose.

Important
When installing the Electronic Evaporator Module, you MUST use the included electrical splice connectors to ensure a proper splice.


Complete detailed installation instructions and wire connectors are supplied with the Electronic Evaporator Dryer. The ground wire should be attached to a body ground source. If any other wire splicing procedures are needed, follow the wire repair procedures in the Electrical sub-section of Body & Accessories in the appropriate Service Manual. If required, the evaporator dryer can be installed underhood away from extreme heat conditions (i.e. exhaust manifolds) and/or water splash areas. In all cases, the evaporator dryer module must be secured with a Velcro® strip (not included in the kit), or you may use the integral hooks to utilize tie straps. Using a Velcro® strip is preferred as the use of the integral hooks may cause rattles.
When the installation procedure is complete and power is supplied, the module will self-test. Thirty seconds after power is supplied, the high blower speed will be activated 3 times (for 2 seconds per cycle). When the test has run, install the Electronic Evaporator Dryer label on the blower motor case in a visible area.
Parts Information
Part Number
Description

12377951

(AC Delco® 15-102)
Cooling Coil Coating (Aerosol 6 oz)

12346391

(AC Delco® 10-120)
Cooling Coil Coating Kit w/Extention Nozzle

12346390

(AC Delco® 10-121)
Refill for Cooling Coil Coating Kit

12497910

(AC Delco® 15-5876)
Electronic Evaporator Dryer Module Kit
Damn...how many air fresheners can you buy for that??
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Old Sep 3, 2006 | 12:22 AM
  #18  
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on top of that, the man hours taking the whole dash apart

Originally Posted by Trouble Maker2
Damn...how many air fresheners can you buy for that??
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Old Sep 4, 2006 | 08:47 AM
  #19  
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I've got a 99 ragtop that developed this problem this summer. It seems that there are two problems - first is that the evaportor drain is clogged, second is the mold forming as a result of the moisture not draining. Does anyone know to get to the drain - I'd want to clean that out to prevent the problem from recurring.

Thanks
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Old Sep 26, 2007 | 08:25 AM
  #20  
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My car has recently developed this problem. Where can I find the drain to see if it's plugged?
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