We have had our limited pacifica for about 6 months now, and sometimes the air coming out of the aircon system smells like vinegar. We have had it back to our dealer twice to do an airconditioning refresh. I think they just spray this chemical inside. Anyone have the same problem and potentially a fix for it? We dont smoke, and keep our car very clean.
Stinky Air Conditioning..
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3,349 Posts
Hi jaygrovr,
Do you know if your dealership used the Mopar Cooling Coil Cleaner to work on addressing the smell? Are you noticing it at specific times or in specific weather?
Kori
Chrysler Social Care Specialist
We are noticing this in our 3 month old Pacifica Hybrid. We live in Southern California. Haven't taken it to the dealer yet.
I have owned my 2017 Pacifica since April 2017. I had no issues with a smelly AC until last week (5/1/2018). Now, I smell vinegar when I start my vent and at the beginning of using my AC. What is up?
I called the service department at my dealership and the service writer blew me off saying "I've never heard that one before. Sorry, I can't help you."
Southeastern Michigan
I called the service department at my dealership and the service writer blew me off saying "I've never heard that one before. Sorry, I can't help you."
Southeastern Michigan
See post #6 and send Chrysler Cares a private message (by clicking on the red Chrysler Cares letters in the left margin) with your VIN since it appears that there is a STAR case for 2017s for this problem. You may want to print some of the info from the thread for your service department.
http://www.pacificaforums.com/forum...mell-door-issues.html?nojs=1#goto_threadtools
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Hello Snellk,
We're sorry to hear about this! Would you like us to escalate this to a Case Specialist for further handling? We're available via direct message and would need your VIN to get started.
Jasmine
Chrysler Social Care Specialist
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62 Posts
I had the same AC stink issue in Dry Phoenix on a 10-mo old Pacifica.
Spraying Ozium in the outside air intakes cured the bacteria growth smell :
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozium-Or...75035&wl11=online&wl12=49211793&wl13=&veh=sem
The Root cause must be an improperly designed evaporator enclosure drain.
Spraying Ozium in the outside air intakes cured the bacteria growth smell :
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozium-Or...75035&wl11=online&wl12=49211793&wl13=&veh=sem
The Root cause must be an improperly designed evaporator enclosure drain.
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I'm sure it would dry the evaporator out but it would probably tend to circulate existing mold spores. Mold is very tough to get rid of. One product that is supposed to 'kill' mold is Concrobium Mold Control, but I don't know about using it in a car AC system.
Here is something to try, especially if the dealer is less than willing to offer a solution.
DISCLAIMER: I am not responsible for any damage to your vehicle if you use this process.
The cause of the issue is bacteria/fungal growth in the A/C evaporator. In our 2018 Pacifica, we struggled with this since late last summer (never used recirc and kept the setting on AUTO, but still developed a musty smell). Now with a recent warm spell with the A/C kicking in, the stinky smell is back in full force.
Found a way to address this using this Clorox Professional spray disinfectant:
1. Remove the cabin air filter, but install the filter cover temporarily.
2. Open all the windows and sliding doors for ventilation
3. Turn on the A/C, set to fresh air and run the fan manually on HIGH
4. Open the hood and locate the air intake cowl vents at the base of the windshield. You should be able to feel the flow of air.
5. Spray mist the Clorox Disinfecting Spray into these intake vents. The mist will flow into the A/C system and exit into the cabin. You will smell the disinfectant (hence leaving the windows/sliding doors open). Do a few 5 second bursts.
6. Keep the fan on high and turn off the A/C. Spray one last 5 second burst and then turn off the engine. This should leave a good disinfectant deposit on the evaporator.
7. Let the van sit overnight. I left the windows/sliding door open to air it out.
8. Reinstall the cabin air filter.
The next day I started the Pacifica and set the climate control on AUTO. Still a faint disinfectant smell, but that dissipated after driving around a bit. But NO stink! This Clorox spray is very effective against bacteria/viruses/fungi and works well to neutralize this nasty smell from the A/C system. It has been over two weeks and the stink has not returned.
DISCLAIMER: I am not responsible for any damage to your vehicle if you use this process.
The cause of the issue is bacteria/fungal growth in the A/C evaporator. In our 2018 Pacifica, we struggled with this since late last summer (never used recirc and kept the setting on AUTO, but still developed a musty smell). Now with a recent warm spell with the A/C kicking in, the stinky smell is back in full force.
Found a way to address this using this Clorox Professional spray disinfectant:
1. Remove the cabin air filter, but install the filter cover temporarily.
2. Open all the windows and sliding doors for ventilation
3. Turn on the A/C, set to fresh air and run the fan manually on HIGH
4. Open the hood and locate the air intake cowl vents at the base of the windshield. You should be able to feel the flow of air.
5. Spray mist the Clorox Disinfecting Spray into these intake vents. The mist will flow into the A/C system and exit into the cabin. You will smell the disinfectant (hence leaving the windows/sliding doors open). Do a few 5 second bursts.
6. Keep the fan on high and turn off the A/C. Spray one last 5 second burst and then turn off the engine. This should leave a good disinfectant deposit on the evaporator.
7. Let the van sit overnight. I left the windows/sliding door open to air it out.
8. Reinstall the cabin air filter.
The next day I started the Pacifica and set the climate control on AUTO. Still a faint disinfectant smell, but that dissipated after driving around a bit. But NO stink! This Clorox spray is very effective against bacteria/viruses/fungi and works well to neutralize this nasty smell from the A/C system. It has been over two weeks and the stink has not returned.
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AC Stinks Once Again
Finally Warm in Phoenix, turn-on the AC & there's that Delightful Chrysler Rank Smell Again for the 3rd Summer.
This Pacifica has been to the 'Dealer' Twice for a 'Refreshing', which wasted about 6-hrs of my time.
Once Again, I changed the Cabin Filter & Fumigated the Airflow path with Ozium. Now we can stop Holding our Breath!
As I posted about a year ago there is an AC Condensate Drain & it does Drip contrary to some Misguided FCA statement that a Pacifica drinks the evaporator water.
Absolutely Amazing that 'Chrysler' Can't Design a Proper Air-Conditioning System like 'Chrysler Airtemp' originally did way back in the 1930's.
This is the 1st Vehicle I have even owned & at 73 there have been quite a few, were the AC Smell Issue was this Bad. Our other vehicle doesn't have a bit of any Smell but it is Not a FCA Product.
I cannot Imagine living in a Humid area with this Chrysler Product.
Other than this Stinky Issue we have had Zero Issues & have been Satisfied with the Non-Hybrid Pacifica.
Finally Warm in Phoenix, turn-on the AC & there's that Delightful Chrysler Rank Smell Again for the 3rd Summer.
This Pacifica has been to the 'Dealer' Twice for a 'Refreshing', which wasted about 6-hrs of my time.
Once Again, I changed the Cabin Filter & Fumigated the Airflow path with Ozium. Now we can stop Holding our Breath!
As I posted about a year ago there is an AC Condensate Drain & it does Drip contrary to some Misguided FCA statement that a Pacifica drinks the evaporator water.
Absolutely Amazing that 'Chrysler' Can't Design a Proper Air-Conditioning System like 'Chrysler Airtemp' originally did way back in the 1930's.
This is the 1st Vehicle I have even owned & at 73 there have been quite a few, were the AC Smell Issue was this Bad. Our other vehicle doesn't have a bit of any Smell but it is Not a FCA Product.
I cannot Imagine living in a Humid area with this Chrysler Product.
Other than this Stinky Issue we have had Zero Issues & have been Satisfied with the Non-Hybrid Pacifica.
Ours doesn't have a moldy smell and we live in Houston! I do keep the air vents under the wipers clear. I was blowing them out almost ever other day when the oak trees in Houston were spewing pollen and flowers! But now just keep it clear when I wash the Pac. If you don't keep that vent clear of organic debris, when it rains and gets wet, it'll start to rot and smell. Maybe that's what's causing it for some people?
Okay here’s an update for you guys. I did it the simple way. No opening hood or removing filters involved. I Simply started car and put AC on full blast (no recirculation) and sprayed Lysol on the outside where the air is sucked in (lower to windscreen) and let it on a few minutes. Then I turned AC off and let full air blast for another 5 minutes. I kept it in garage with windows open overnight. No stinky smell of AC now. I repeated the procedure on all my cars, and all are fine now.
You may use Lysol or Chlorox , or whatever disinfectant you have available.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
You may use Lysol or Chlorox , or whatever disinfectant you have available.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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2,266 Posts
You're being a little unfair to Chrysler on this. It is a problem that happens to some people with any make of vehicle. Google it. Their are products sold to help remedy a mold or bacteria issue.
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62 Posts
Not IMHO,
My Mini Cooper AC sets in the same garage & same conditions - Absolutely No AC Odor.
My immediate Neighbors have No AC Smells either in the same garages & environment :
Acura MDX
Mercedes G460
Lexus RX350
Honda Odessey
Toyota Rav4
Ford Edge
Hyundai Sedona x2
What is Upsetting is Paying this much for a New 'state-of-the-art' Vehicle & having to contend with this Issue, then going to a Dealer twice for correction with No Results. I have No Doubt that this is a FCA AC Condensate Drain or Airfow Design issue. The Condensate Drains used to be a basic tube that dripped straight down, this Pacifica Drain doesn't.
Anyway I sent Chrysler Cares a PM regarding the Forum mentioned 'Smell Star Case' hopefully something Positive will Result.
My Mini Cooper AC sets in the same garage & same conditions - Absolutely No AC Odor.
My immediate Neighbors have No AC Smells either in the same garages & environment :
Acura MDX
Mercedes G460
Lexus RX350
Honda Odessey
Toyota Rav4
Ford Edge
Hyundai Sedona x2
What is Upsetting is Paying this much for a New 'state-of-the-art' Vehicle & having to contend with this Issue, then going to a Dealer twice for correction with No Results. I have No Doubt that this is a FCA AC Condensate Drain or Airfow Design issue. The Condensate Drains used to be a basic tube that dripped straight down, this Pacifica Drain doesn't.
Anyway I sent Chrysler Cares a PM regarding the Forum mentioned 'Smell Star Case' hopefully something Positive will Result.
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2,266 Posts
(sigh . . . ) Uh, I must have a better designed Pacifica than you. It has no airflow or condensate drain problems and doesn't stink. I'll bet it would be possible to build a laundry list of owners who have had an experience similar to mine. But that would be futile . . .
By the way, where do you live? Here in North America, using leading capital letters on words that are not proper nouns is highly unusual. Are you writing from somewhere else?
Stinky AC
I have owned many, many cars and never had an AC stink, like this 2017 Pacifica. I took mine into the dealership after I had replaced my own cabin filter (no change in smell). They checked it out, aired it out, might have sprayed something in it, was OK for a short time and then it came back. I was always using the recirculating feature as it is really hot in our AZ summers. After reading the forum suggestions, I experimented with the Lysol trick and never using the recirculating feature. That lasts for a while. Yesterday I had the AC on high for a 20 minute ride, I left the car idle in my driveway and looked for a drain, puddle etc. but not a drop of water. I mentioned this to my dealership when I fist took it in 2 years ago. It hasn't left a drop... ever, and I run my AC 6 months a year. Perhaps they use the same concept as household appliances do. The condensate runs into a drain pan and the compressor cooling fan blows over the pan and evaporates the water, so likewise if you don't let your car blower/fan run for a period of time after the AC has been generating water, then the water doesn't get a chance to evaporate and then the mold starts to grow. My garage floor has never been wet in the 2 1/2 years I've owned it. Poor design is my guess and my solution is for Chrysler to issue a recall to install a proper drain line. Mold? Yikes, sounds like a health issue waiting to happen.
I have owned many, many cars and never had an AC stink, like this 2017 Pacifica. I took mine into the dealership after I had replaced my own cabin filter (no change in smell). They checked it out, aired it out, might have sprayed something in it, was OK for a short time and then it came back. I was always using the recirculating feature as it is really hot in our AZ summers. After reading the forum suggestions, I experimented with the Lysol trick and never using the recirculating feature. That lasts for a while. Yesterday I had the AC on high for a 20 minute ride, I left the car idle in my driveway and looked for a drain, puddle etc. but not a drop of water. I mentioned this to my dealership when I fist took it in 2 years ago. It hasn't left a drop... ever, and I run my AC 6 months a year. Perhaps they use the same concept as household appliances do. The condensate runs into a drain pan and the compressor cooling fan blows over the pan and evaporates the water, so likewise if you don't let your car blower/fan run for a period of time after the AC has been generating water, then the water doesn't get a chance to evaporate and then the mold starts to grow. My garage floor has never been wet in the 2 1/2 years I've owned it. Poor design is my guess and my solution is for Chrysler to issue a recall to install a proper drain line. Mold? Yikes, sounds like a health issue waiting to happen.
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62 Posts
IMHO,
The Source of the AC Mold Smell may be the Condensate Drain Design or moisture accumulation in the Evaporator Coil housing. A year ago I investigated our Pacifica Condensate Drain after a couple Temporary Dealer Refreshing Cleaning.
1. The Ribbed Drain Tube probably Remains water.
2. The Tube connects to a transition Block & turns at a Right Angle, another potential moisture collection point.
The Under-Vehicle Drain will Drip but not like any other vehicles I've ever had/have, even in Dry Arizona. I flushed the Ribbed Drain Tube & Drain out by injecting a mold cleaning solution into the top of the hose under the center console.
My Solution is to spray Ozium in the Air Intake when the Smell starts in the apron below the windshield & run the Blower a few minutes with the AC off after we use the AC.
Chrysler Cares provided a "Star Case" for the 2017 Pacifica's # S1624000008. Not sure what it involves yet.
The Source of the AC Mold Smell may be the Condensate Drain Design or moisture accumulation in the Evaporator Coil housing. A year ago I investigated our Pacifica Condensate Drain after a couple Temporary Dealer Refreshing Cleaning.
1. The Ribbed Drain Tube probably Remains water.
2. The Tube connects to a transition Block & turns at a Right Angle, another potential moisture collection point.
The Under-Vehicle Drain will Drip but not like any other vehicles I've ever had/have, even in Dry Arizona. I flushed the Ribbed Drain Tube & Drain out by injecting a mold cleaning solution into the top of the hose under the center console.
My Solution is to spray Ozium in the Air Intake when the Smell starts in the apron below the windshield & run the Blower a few minutes with the AC off after we use the AC.
Chrysler Cares provided a "Star Case" for the 2017 Pacifica's # S1624000008. Not sure what it involves yet.
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