AC smell question

[MandersAndCorin]

I have noticed that every time I turn on my AC a weird burn like smell comes out of the vents for the first few seconds but then it's fine. I am just wondering if this is just a Vibe quirk or should I be worried? Oh and the AC works great and so does the heater!

Also, does anyone have issues with the passenger side seatbelt being relentless and always locking up?

Thanks in advance for answering my not so bright questions!

[A Psycho Martyr]

The only time I ever had a smell from the a/c it ended up being the Cabin Air Filter

Easy swap-out and it was good as gold.

Never experienced a burning-esque (it's a word!) smell tho

[MandersAndCorin]

The only time I ever had a smell from the a/c it ended up being the Cabin Air Filter

Easy swap-out and it was good as gold.

Never experienced a burning-esque (it's a word!) smell tho

I actually replaced the cabin filter about 3 days into owning it. It looked like it hadn't been changed since 06 I am having it looked at on Thursday just to be safe. Plus my antifreeze is at the low mark and I'm not sure if the dealership was just lazy and overlooked filling it or if I have a leak. I did look at the hoses and didn't notice anything leaking. I am OCD when it comes to the car so it's better to be safe than sorry and have it looked at right?!?!

As for the "burning-esque" thing, I think you may be full of it but your nice so I will let this one go. Lol

[beemerphile1]

It isn't unusual to smell a mold/mildew odor when turning on the ac. Never have smelled any burning/hot smell.

[Rayven01]

Can you determine what kind of burnt smell it is? This site lists some options: http://www.refreshyourcar.com/car_smell ... ignore.php. I'd also add a smoky smell could be debris that got past the filter toward the heater core (pine needles are the most likely to do this, especially if the filter was badly contaminated). It could also be dust burning off if you don't use the heater much. If it's that, it should go away after running the heater for awhile. Since it happens with AC, though, it's hard to say. The heater core shouldn't be that hot without the heat on.

[MandersAndCorin]

It isn't unusual to smell a mold/mildew odor when turning on the ac. Never have smelled any burning/hot smell.

No mildew smell at all. I did recheck the cabin filter to make sure all was still in place and it's already got quite a few pine needles and plant bits. The filter itself however still looks like new. I am just going to have my mechanic take a look to see if it's anything to worry about. Will update what I find out on Friday

[Chiadog]

I'm with Psycho, sounds like filter/ low air flow problem. The junky little resistor which heats-up while allowing the blower fan to operate at the 3? speeds below FULL speed may be getting too hot and off-gassing. You should be able to check this by only running the blower fan on HIGH - this Bypasses the crappy little resistor, therefore (if the resistor or low air flow is the problem) there should be no burned smell on HIGH. The resistor sits in the air stream for cooling purposes BTW which is why it would smell in the cabin air.
Also consider pulling out the filter and testing for the smell. No filter equals greater air flow, especially at low fan speed, greater air flow should keep the crappy resistor from overheating!
Is your new air filter a super-duper thick filter - which may slow air flow too much?

[cq358]

My roomate she is got a very sensitive nose, and addicted to scentsy products

There are three possibilities.

1. Electrical/ blower problems
2. Moisture problem
3. Air conditioning problem

PSY and Chia had went trough the item 1.
I have to agree the 03-08 Vibe the hamster power blower is not very robust. It quit usually in shoulder season when you need air to defrost the windshield.

I am suspecting the possibility # 2
Moisture carry over from evaporator coil.
Since your car is newly own, just wondering Is your condensate drain trap is draining condensate properly? (seeing water dripping on the ground) when using a/c? Do you see your carpet being wet?

Do you hear weird noise at the blower?

if everything running properly then you might try using charcoal carbon filter next time.

Could you describe the smell as wet socks or burnt plastic smell?

[ColonelPanic]

I would also say #2 as well, as I've fought a losing battle for years with Vibes trying to keep the air smelling fresh. Not sure what it is about this A/C system, but it is terrible. I'm on a 3-6 month cycle of replacing the cabin air filter/disinfection attempts for this reason. I had to break down and do it just yesterday, I couldn't tolerate the stench any longer.

I'm a fan of removing the cabin filter and spraying disinfectant of your choice into the opening while the fan blows on high. On the outside, spray in the cowl vents on the passenger side. If it is moisture-related that may help. If you can get rid of some water in the system prior to parking (switch A/C off, run fan on high for several minutes) that can help.

[Old Tele man]

GM used to sell stuff to kill the mildew/stinky-feet smell coming from the A/C fins. However, mold buildup is typically caused by condensation drain hose either not draining properly or being clogged -- both are something to check.

ADDENDUM -- located this info on a different website:

BASIC USED VEHICLE ODOR NEUTRALIZATION
Using GM Part # 12378554
(General guidelines for basic vehicle odor detailing, i.e., smoke, must and mildew)
The GM Odor Eliminator (GM Part # 12378554) is advanced science that emphasizes the simplicity of
vehicle odor neutralization. GM Odor Eliminator formula is an "on contact" formula, if the formula makes
contact with the odor source, the odor(s) will be neutralized leaving behind no smell of it’s own (no scent).
GM Odor Eliminator is ODORLESS and most detailing steps take only minutes to perform. Below are
three basic steps that in most vehicle odor problems, are the only steps required to odor neutralize most
used cars/trucks.

• STEP ONE: (building a degreaser formula)
1. Find an empty quart bottle within the shop (requires trigger spray head).
2. Put a drop of dish soap the size of a quarter in the bottom on the bottle (Dawn dish soap is preferred
but any brand will work).
3. Add 16 oz. of GM Odor Eliminator (2 cups) to the dish soap and top off the bottle with tap water.
NOTE: This formula is referred as the degreaser formula and should be used on hard surfaces such as
the dash, interior plastic molding and leather seats.

• STEP TWO:
The second step to neutralizing the vehicle is a light to medium treatment of all carpeting and upholstered
(cloth) seats with the GM Odor Eliminator formula in it’s pump bottle and a wide fan spray setting (i.e.:
carpeting on the driver's side floor pan requires 6-8 triggers pulls for coverage). The headliner and trunk
should be sprayed next.
NOTE: Lightly brushing the formula into the carpeting and upholstery is a recommended step for deep
odor problems. The dash and all hard surfaces should be sprayed with the degreaser formula. Let stand
(dwell) for 1-2 minutes then wipe off the surface.

• STEP THREE: (vehicle ventilation system treatment)
The ventilation system is generally the last step in the basic treatment of the vehicle. The ventilation
systems can be a major cause of odor problems.
1. Spray the GM Odor Eliminator formula into all dash vents. (2-4 trigger pulls per vent).
2. Start the vehicle and turn the vehicle fan on high cool (not A/C setting).
3. Spray the formula (20 trigger pulls) into the outside fresh air intake vent (cowl at base of windshield).
4. Enter the vehicle after 2-3 minute and wipe off the excess formula spurting out of the dash vents.
5. Turn the heat/cooling system to the A/C maximum and engage “re-circulation” setting (fan-high
setting). Roll-up windows, spray 8-10 pumps into the vehicle towards the headliner, close doors and
let the vehicle run with the fan set on high for 5 - 7 minutes.