Was thinking about a possible way to reduce the odor smell when using the A/C

[captainm27]

Pretty much what I gather is that the terrible smell you get when using the A/C is due to mold growing. I was thinking, one of the ingredients of mold is dark places, and inside the engine, it sure is dark. What if manufactures somehow created small l.e.d.s inside the components most likely for mold to grow? These lights don't have to be bright at all, since they are shining in a really dark place, and would consume very little power, even if the car is left off. (Of course, if the battery goes below a certain level, then the system should be designed to turn those lights off). Do you think this would at least slow down the growth of the mold?

[CTScott]

Did you see the threads about the TSB on the HVAC smell? Yours probably falls into the list of affected serial numbers.

The smell is supposedly due to a material issue with the evaporator.

If it isn't the TSB issue, the other common cause is the airbox being backed up with condensate. If you don't have a cabin air filter installed then "stuff" can get sucked in from outside when you are running the AC with outside air. If that "stuff" gets into the airbox it will plug up the condensate drain.

[bronsin]

Are you running your AC for long periods of time on recirc?

[captainm27]

Did you see the threads about the TSB on the HVAC smell? Yours probably falls into the list of affected serial numbers.

The smell is supposedly due to a material issue with the evaporator.

If it isn't the TSB issue, the other common cause is the airbox being backed up with condensate. If you don't have a cabin air filter installed then "stuff" can get sucked in from outside when you are running the AC with outside air. If that "stuff" gets into the airbox it will plug up the condensate drain.

Hmm.....will do some searches on the TSB here. Thanks for the tip!

Are you running your AC for long periods of time on recirc?

Actually, to be honest, it happens rather quickly. I can turn the A/C on, and within 5 minutes, start smelling something. However, the biggest and worst smell comes from when the A/C is running for about 15 or more minutes, and then you shut it off, and just let the fan keep blowing, the nasty smell comes in. Does mold grow that quickly?

[CTScott]

Attached is a copy of the TSB...

33606

[captainm27]

Attached is a copy of the TSB...

33606

Hey, wow, thanks for the link! But I looked at the repair time. I'm guessing the 4.0 means 4 hours? Do they have to take the entire dash apart to fix this problem? If so, do you think I'm better off just dealing with the smell than risking anything possible being left undone after being taken apart and put back together?

[Loren]

FWIW, having lights on in a moist place under the dash 24/7 could likely lead to another problem. Instead of mold... algae. You can't win. (at least not that way)

[CTScott]

Hey, wow, thanks for the link! But I looked at the repair time. I'm guessing the 4.0 means 4 hours? Do they have to take the entire dash apart to fix this problem? If so, do you think I'm better off just dealing with the smell than risking anything possible being left undone after being taken apart and put back together?

It is 4 hours and yes, they have to remove the entire dash to get the evaporator out of the airbox.

If yours falls into the TSB group, I would have it done (but, make sure that the dealer that you bring it to has a good reputation service wise). With how much disassembly has to happen, there is the opportunity for issues, but if it stinks now, it's not going to get any better over time.

[custom Lftback]

Wow and I thought that smell was cuz I didn't have a cabin air filter. Im gonna check on this first thing tomorrow. Thank you ctscott

[RETRO]

Mine had the bad smell..I did a search on here.I took mine to the dealer..I told them t please take there time,that I did not want any broken parts or rattles.They did a great job and it solved the problem.

[YAR1S]

will they do this for free after your warranty is up? :/

[RETRO]

will they do this for free after your warranty is up? :/

No. Mine was still under warranty

[bladesmith6]

No you better believe it. I'm at 38,000 miles and both the dealership and Toyota National told me they won't do shit for me unless I pay for it. I'd luv to sue their asses but I'm sure they have better lawyers. I was going to do the repair myself but the compressor isn't supposed to be run without refrigerant and I would have to drive it to a garage to get it properly re-charged even if I do all the mechanical work.

[ddongbap]

I remember spraying Febreze into my outside air intake just above my hood. Let me tell you that you should not do this.

[ddongbap]

No you better believe it. I'm at 38,000 miles and both the dealership and Toyota National told me they won't do shit for me unless I pay for it. I'd luv to sue their asses but I'm sure they have better lawyers. I was going to do the repair myself but the compressor isn't supposed to be run without refrigerant and I would have to drive it to a garage to get it properly re-charged even if I do all the mechanical work.

Good luck with your plight. lulz.

[CTScott]

No you better believe it. I'm at 38,000 miles and both the dealership and Toyota National told me they won't do shit for me unless I pay for it. I'd luv to sue their asses but I'm sure they have better lawyers. I was going to do the repair myself but the compressor isn't supposed to be run without refrigerant and I would have to drive it to a garage to get it properly re-charged even if I do all the mechanical work.

If you pick up the belt that is for a Yaris without AC (I bought one for $15 at NAPA), you can bypass the AC compressor. Then, when you bring it to the place to get the system charged, you swap back to the other belt.

[Bluevitz-rs]

Simply solution is to take the filter cover off, remove the filter (if you have one) and spray Lysol into the opening with the fan running. This should kill the bacteria and help eliminate the smell. You can even get a scented one.

[bladesmith6]

Good to know there is a belt for that application, last time I did this kind of repair I had a car with multiple belts so it wasn't an issue. Do you happen to know the part # or what year you told the parts guys to look up ? I wasn't aware you could get our car without A/C....

[CTScott]

Good to know there is a belt for that application, last time I did this kind of repair I had a car with multiple belts so it wasn't an issue. Do you happen to know the part # or what year you told the parts guys to look up ? I wasn't aware you could get our car without A/C....

The Toyota part numbers are:

No AC: 90916-02499
With AC: 90916-02500

I haven't actually seen a Yaris without AC, but apparently they exist. In my case, Crashy's compressor was cracked, so I just wanted to completely eliminate her AC. I was amazed that my local NAPA had the non-AC belt in stock. I gave them the Toyota part number and they cross referenced it to the brand that they carried.

[bladesmith6]

That's great ! Thanks alot :)

[1stToyota]

Simply solution is to take the filter cover off, remove the filter (if you have one) and spray Lysol into the opening with the fan running. This should kill the bacteria and help eliminate the smell. You can even get a scented one.

I tried that on mine but the smell returned pretty quickly, so I tossed a Glade refill on top of the filter last summer...I still smell it working after all this time.

[Yaris Hilton]

One thing that helps is to never turn the car off with the air conditioner or recirculating air on. At least a half minute or so before shutoff, I switch over to the plain vent setting with outside air coming in, to dry off some of the condensed moisture on the evaporator core. Good idea in any car, not just a Yaris. I don't like driving around with a smell like cat pee blowing out of the vents, coughing from mildew spores.