We just started smelling something that smells like a cigarette (removed) or bad cooked cabbage in our 09 Vibe over the past week. It's worst on the driver's side at the front. My wife's nose is more sensitive than mine, and she says it's worst in an area somewhere behind the steering wheel. I looked at the engine air filter, and it had been chewed up by a rodent, so I'm guessing it's a dead mouse or something causing the smell. I also poked around with a flashlight under the hood and looked back toward the dash, but I don't see anything.
Other clues--the smell is worst when first stepping inside the car. Once we're off and running and the air is circulating from outside, the smell goes away after a minute or two. Cabin air filter at the glove box looks fine.
Any suggestions on how to try to address this? I'm ready to pull the whole dashboard off but have no clue how.