Odor from Vent

[PT Joe]

I think its tha type of plastic used for tha housing,duct etc. Some plastics outgas fumes for years. Tha plastic edgeing used fer flowerbeds and tha like smells so bad when I tried some my dog ripped it out as soon as I went inside. He drug it way away frum tha house and chewed tha hell out of it too boot HaHa! Bet DC's using a similar material for ductwork and stuff.

[CTFrank]

This problem has been discussed on other forums too, the concensus solution seems to be when using the A/C set the control to admit outside air and switch from A/C to fan about a 1/2 mile before your destination. This allows the system to dry out so mold doesn't grow.

It seeems to work since we have never had the odor problem in either of our PT's.

2001 Aquamarine Touring - Mama's.....2002 Cranberry Touring - Mine

[TXWolf]

OK, time for an update.
I took my car back to my dealer (Red McCombs in San Antonio, TX), and had to leave it there. And even though it sat on their lot for 3 days, THEY DID NOTHING TO IT! They stated that there was no problem found at this time. What a crock!

I spoke with the Service Manager, and he said that ALL that Chrysler will allow them to do is to attempt to dry out the evaporator as they did on my first visit, and run the disinfectant in it. And even though he told me that it was done AGAIN, the actual Service Tech told me that it was in fact NOT done.

I was complaining about the dealer (and Chrysler Corp themselves) not taking care of this problem to my satisfaction, and would like to return the car. Now remember ... I purchased this car in February, and have noticed this problem since the very beginning. The Sales Manager at Red McCombs told me that I couldn't return the car as a lemon, and had to set up a meeting with the Chrysler Rep when he comes into the area. But ... they wouldn't tell me when he's scheduled to be in the S.A. area! He went on to tell me that he's NEVER heard of the odor problem in other PT Cruisers. I told him to talk to his Service Techs, because they knew what my problem was before they inspected my car! That's when I told him that maybe I have the "only car in S.A." that has this problem, and would like to return it and get another PT that doesn't have this problem. That was a No-Go! I HAVE to have Chrysler state that it's a Lemon!

What a bunch of crap! They also told me that I need to run the car with the vent on, with fresh air coming in, and run the heater for 30 minutes or so every once in a while to get rid of the extra condensation in the a/c system. I'm sorry, but this is unacceptable. As anyone in Texas can tell ya ... it's hotter than hell around here! Hahaha! When I'm in a shirt and tie, the last thing that I want is to sweat right before I go in to work! And to ask me to run the heater? Ummmm ... no thanks. Once again, too hot here.

Perhaps Chrysler needs to come out with a Texas Edition PT Cruiser, which has the optional interior air filtration system which Sci-Fi told us about in an earlier post.

I asked the Service Tech why they didn't take the a/c system apart to dry it out, or whatever they had to do to take care of the problem, and he told me that Chrysler won't authorize them to do that. So tell me ... what good is a service contract/warranty if they won't take care of a service problem? Also ... what does it take for Chrysler to admit that they have a problem with these a/c units in these cars? I could find nothing in my Car Manual to tell me that if I didn't run the a/c vent every time I drove my new car I would have a mold & bacteria problem. Will a Class Action Lawsuit address the problem?????

A VERY disatisfied PT owner,
TXWolf

[Sci-Fi]

Suggest you go to a Dodge dealer for service or warranty adjustments. I find my Dodge dealer, and I have gone to at least 2 of them, will go out of their way to satify a customer and give good to excellent service. Besides, Chrysler says you can go to a Dodge or Jeep dealer for warranty service.

2002 Almond Pearl Limited Edition 27K

[Tex]

I can't believe you guys refuse to try the Fabreeze Xtment.
I've been talking about it at least three times now in as many as
Many as two forums. I live along the Texas Coast,Mucho humidity, and did it, without the stink coming back after two months. About ten sqwirts down the air intake with the A/C running. What could be simpler than that? How much are you going to spend on this?
Tex

[TXWolf]

OK, here's what I finally found out from the Service Manager at my Chrysler dealer:

Chrysler knows about the problem, and has known for some time. They will NOT authorize dealers to change out the compressor coil any longer, as that only took care of the problem for a couple of months. They will not authorize any more "band-aids" for the odor problem.

"Supposedly", when they FINALLY find a solution for this problem, it will be fixed for free, even if we're out of our normal warranty.

I can't believe that they sold me this car, knowing that there's a problem with the A/C system, and will NOT fix it!

[TXWolf]

And Tex, I thank you for the suggestion, which I might be forced to do. But my complaint with my dealer, and Chrysler in general, is ... Why won't they fix this problem? I paid REALLY good money for my car, with the service plan/warranty, etc ... I guess I'm asking too much for my dealer to fix a problem while it's under warranty????

[CruzTX]

I also live in TX (Austin) and have had minimal odor problems- I say that because I had a Toyota Supra that STANK! The odor in the Cruiser is a lot less than the Toyota, but is still present.
I found this on the web:http://www.ptdoityourself.net/ptfaq3b.html
Scroll down to Air Conditioner Odors. I DO have a problem with the fog light switch- fog lights won't turn on anymore... <img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>

[American flyer]

WE have a 2002 LE with 6K miles. We live in Tulsa where it is hot and humid. Starting getting the smell last month. Dealer says they can't smell it. Tried Fabreez but only good for a day or two. Put a cabin filter on a couple of days ago but still have the smell, I'm going to try back spraying lysol thru the drain line to see if that does any good. So far it only happens when coming away from sitting at a stop light. Don't smell it while steady driving.

[SRG]

My wife & I just got a 2002 limited. My previous car -a 1997 Stratus- also had the AC odor problem. Using the following method, whenever I detected the odor, took care of the problem.
1. Buy a can of lysol, in your favorite scent.
2. Open all windows and make sure the air vent is open, not "recirculate".
3. With the car running, fan on full, spray lysol into the outside vent. I sprayed quite a bit, moving the nozzle back and fourth across the opening.
4. Shut down the car and fan, getting under the dashboard I sprayed into the vents.
As I said, this worked in my 97 Stratus, I have yet to try it in a Cruiser yet. I was living on Long Island, NY, where it was pretty humid most of the time. It seems to be a very effective treatment.
Good Luck!
Scott