Odor from Vent

[Stephen R.]

Try http://www.dwd2.com This would be a great DIY article. I just ordered the micron(?) A/C filter so it should be of some help... atleast with larger particulate matter.

[TXWolf]

Well, I heard back from the Service Manager at my dealer the other day. He told me that Chrysler has reported that they will have a fix for the a/c problem within 60-90 days. He thinks that they're going to be changing out the coil with a different design. I guess we'll see what happens.

I wonder if this has anything to do with my telling him that I was gonna see if the local TV station's "Problem Solvers" would like to hear about this odor problem, and could get to the bottom of it??? =)

[Stytooner]

I bought my woody on april 1st. The only time I have the unpleasant aroma (read as stinky) is when I start the car off in the recirculate mode. If I start it with the ac off, then turn it on vent, and a few miles later hit recirculate, I don't have any odor. Beleive me it's hot and humid where I live too. Just wondering if mine hasn't been fixed from the factory already?

Lee

[ptslake]

OK, so after reading these posts, I decided to ask my best friend who owns an auto air conditioning repair business, what they do. He basically repeated most of what's been said above. The problem is caused by left-over condensation, and molds and dust growing in the AC system. The problem happens to most brands and models of cars, it is not a defect of the PT in particular. His own Durango pickup does it.

The air filter install should help by keeping the crud out of the system in the first place. I put a Briggs in my own this weekend, and it was easy and fit perfectly. $9.00 and change at Home Depot. Mine smells like "old socks" for a few seconds sometimes, and I too live in Texas. Mine has never been too bad, but having lived here all my life, my sense of smell is probably in question.

They "treat" the system with Lysol (best) and Fabreeze (next best). He said that the best way to treat the system is to start the car up and turn on the AC. Put the system on re-circulate (this is the different part). He said that you can put your hand down under the dash and easily determine where the interior air intake is, when you feel the air movement. Spray the Lysol into that location. He said that it is the better choice vs the outside air intake.

Hope this helps, and hey, in a couple of months in the cooler weather, the problem will be gone (for about 9 months anyway).

Best of Luck!

02 Cranbury Touring

[ssbandit19]

I also have this problem and for the third time, only two weeks ago my dealer told me they couldn't "re-create" the problem so....there is nothing wrong?! Is my dealer out of Chrysler's "loop" or are they just side-stepping the concern? Should I wait for their fix (If there will be one) or should I go and get parts to fix it? Since I'm currently leasing it (I plan on purchasing it unless they bring back Aztec Yellow) will turning any screw void their precious warranty?

[TXWolf]

Well, my PT is back at the dealer, where they are installing an Experimental Evaporator System for my car. There is even supposed to be an Engineer from the manufacturer coming down here to oversee the installation.

I'll let y'all know how it goes, and if it corrects the problem.

TXWolf