Bad smell from A/C fan when first turning on - 2010 GMC Sierra 1500 - when I first turn on the A/C after the truck has been sitting for a ...

clement · by **clement** [OP] » Jul 22 2011, 8:13pm

2010 GMC Sierra 1500 - when I first turn on the A/C after the truck has been sitting for a couple of hours or more, there is a foul odor coming from the vents. Smells like urine. It eventually goes away but is an obvious embarrassement for a vehicle with less than 20K miles. It has been doing this for 8-10K miles. Any suggestions on what to check? It is garage kept and no leaves collect in the intake vents.

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dpaul · by **dpaul** » Jul 23 2011, 1:38am

Wow... that'll really piss ya off! (You knew that was coming)

Seriously though, my truck went through a pissy smell phase & it just quit. I don't know why. I was going to search for a cabin filter... but it quit smelling, so I quit worrying.

I hope that if someone else has had this problem, and found a solution, chimes in.

chris71 · by **chris71** » Jul 23 2011, 2:02am

the condensate drain could be clogged causing water to leak in your cab which could cause it. had it happen to me. lift up passenger side floor mat to see if the carpet is wet.

clement · by **clement** [OP] » Jul 23 2011, 2:43pm

Thanks. I'll check the floor. I figured I had a condensate drain somewhere. Just didn't know where to find. I wondered what kind of comments I would get on this post. Conan OBrian would have a field day. Thanks for the responses. If I can't clear it, I'll probably take it to the dealer

chris71 · by **chris71** » Jul 25 2011, 5:27pm

i never sawe water coming into the cab but under the passenger side floor mat was wet. Used an airhose to blow out the drain line from under the hood

clement · by **clement** [OP] » Jul 28 2011, 1:36am

Ok I just checked under the floor mats on passenger and driver side. Both are dry. I am not an expert on this so where can I find the drain line?

JimboInNO · by **JimboInNO** » Jul 28 2011, 3:38am

Left the windows down in my oooold 75 GMC (my first truck) and could not figure out why it smelled like this . Talked to an old boy I worked with and he told me male cats will get in and spray your seats or whatever they decide to aim at . It happened to him . Is it possible it really is urine ? Ever left your windows down all day ? It went away in a few days but a cat an probably smell it for ever .

clement · by **clement** [OP] » Jul 28 2011, 12:27pm

That is not the cause. I roll up the windows and lock the doors all of the time when getting out. The odor is coming from the vents when I turn on the fan and A/C. I am going to contact the dealership again today to see if they can help me.

Z15 · by **Z15** » Jul 28 2011, 12:35pm

Mold and mildew in the vents or the A/C system?

A quick Google search revealed this;

Eliminating Unwanted Odors in Vehicles

GM Vehicle Care Odor Eliminator, GM P/N 12378554 (Canadian P/N 88901678), may control or eliminate odors in the interior and luggage compartment areas of GM vehicles. This non-toxic, biodegradable, odorless product has been shown to greatly reduce or remove the following types of odor:
• Objectionable smells of mold and mildew resulting from vehicle water leaks
• Customer created odors, such as smoke

You may safely use GM Vehicle Care Odor Eliminator on fabrics, vinyl, leather, carpet, and sound deadening materials. You may also induce this product into HVAC modules and instrument panel ducts for the control of non-bacterial related odors.

Important: This product leaves no residual scent and should not be used as an air freshener.

This product may result in the permanent elimination of an odor and may be preferable to customers whose allergies make them sensitive to perfumes. This product may effectively remove odors when directly contacting the odor source. In cases such as water leaks, use this product with diagnostic procedures to first eliminate the primary cause of the odor. Then use further applications on the residual odor to permanently correct the vehicle condition.

How to Use this Product

• Spray GM Vehicle Care Odor Eliminator directly or as an additive with carpet shampoo in steam cleaners.
• Do not use on any interior surface that plain water would deteriorate, because this product will have the same effect. Also avoid letting this product come into contact with vinegar or any acidic substance. Acid-based products will hamper the effectiveness of GM Vehicle Care Odor Eliminator.
• Instructions and cautions are printed on the bottle, but additional help is available. If you encounter a persistent or recurring odor, you may call to obtain additional information and usage suggestions.
- In the USA, call 1-800-955-8591.
- In Canada, call 1-800-977-4145.

OlSmokie · by **OlSmokie** » Jul 28 2011, 12:55pm

I had a Grand Prix with only 10,000 miles on it that had a funky smell coming out of the air con vents when I first turned it on. I think it was because I never had the windows open much and the car was garaged all winter.
I went to Canadian Tire, (auto parts) and got a spray can of conditioner special for killing mold and mildew in air con systems. I just looked for the can and I must have used it all, but it was peppermint scented and it did the job. You just turn the air on high and blast it into the fresh air intake. The first treatment I didn't use enough so the second time I emptied the whole can in and it fixed the problem.

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Bad smell from A/C fan when first turning on - 2010 GMC Sierra 1500 - when I first turn on the A/C after the truck has been sitting for a ...

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