Raj77

I do keep it on the recirculate air, isn't it better and easier on the a/c system? Wonder why that would cause the wired smell.

Big_BlueFX4

Keeping the interior on recirculated air causes bacteria to become lodged and grow in the air filter media. The only way to permanently get rid of the smell is to change the filter. This is the reason behind the one poster noting the odor goes away when changing to fresh air.

I learned this nearly 20-years ago on a 1984 Toyota 4x4 truck. It happened after playing basketball on an exterior court, which served to cause a little more bacteria than normal. Any sweating inside the cab when on recirculate causes the problem. I changed the filter quit using the recirculate feature and never had a problem again in 8-years. In fact, I still rarely ever use recirculate and never have this problem. The only time I recirculate the cabin air is to block heavy exterior odors/pollutants such as the diesel turd in front of me that insists on creating a cloud.

gregsf150stx

Shouldn't be sweating with the a/c on . . .

and if one's sweat smells like a chemical, something's wrong!

TAB5.0FX2

Mine smelled when it had 10 miles on it. Mines a 2011. I hope someone gets an answer soon. Definitely not bacteria...

the best engines

Funny this tread started because my 2010 xlt with only 12k miles on it started this oder smell on max AC. Only noticed it past few weeks now. It is intermittent & wondering if it is a leak when compressor cycles on. Now I will run AC/ or defrost daily (leaving it in defrost setting runs the AC pump by default) wile I still have just over a year of fac warrantee left. Will report back if AC system refrigerant runs low or out.

rigrat2011

HEY GUYS.... TRY THIS

About 10-15 mins before you arrive at your destination, turn the ac off and just blow normal cold air, even "recirculate" it if you like.

Its just that easy!!!!

Youll notice the odor will go away.

KeysSTX

This happened with my girlfriends car and had many people say it was caused by mold. We fixed it by using the A/C without recirculating air for a week and it hasn't happened again. This was about a year ago. It smelled exactly like vinegar as well.

WWD918

Correct me if i'm wrong, I don't think we have ac filters and if so where?

rigrat2011

i'm asking the same question man, in fact... i'm trying to research it.

i know for a fact that a 1998 caravan has a cabin filter, maybe that's the name that is being used. the caravan filter is also a hepa filter.... so it's not cheap

WWD918

Well the dealer said my 07 didn't and i'm doubting my 11 does