Started a few months back, the smell comes on after about a minute or so if i dont run the A/c(if a/c is on, even on low, the smell doesn't come at all). If i dont run anything the smell comes on and is horrible, its hard to describe but its almost like a burning, or a burnt ciggarette (not a lit cigarette, literally as if it were burnt) anyone have any idea's? I live in florida so i always run the a/c anyway, but j/w if this could be a sign of a bigger issue

 

I know mold growth on the evaporator is a common problem in humid environments. GM dealers have tools and chemicals for combating this problem.

But I've never heard that described as a burnt smell.

You could get debris hung up on the blower motor resistor, which could burn when the resistor is in use. But I would have thought that would burn off fairly quickly, and be gone...not keep coming back.

 

its possible it's a mildew smell? I'm not really the best at describing smells. What i do know its only present when the fan is off. When its on, There is no smell at all. Are cleaners sold in auto stores? or just dealerships?

 

I'm sure you can find something like this at places like Autozone. Something like a deodorizer/cleaner would be my first attempt at getting rid of the odor. I've used Lysol spray in the past with decent results.

Sometimes it takes partially disassembling the duct work and physically removing all the moldy trash and stuff that's accumulated.

 

Yep...products like that may well do the trick.

Also, make sure the a/c drain is clear...that condensation is dripping out.

And, if there's an opening on our HVAC boxes from the outside / engine compartment, say via a ballast resistor that can be removed leaving an opening into the box, use that to get extra cleaner right on to the core if you can.

 

Actually i think i've fixed it. My cars electric lighter port has been disconnected for a few months now, the plug with the wires inside the dash wasn't connected to the part where you would actually plug the lighter/phone charger into. A couple of hours ago i just let the car sit for 5minutes trying to figure out where the smell was coming from with the vents off, Smoke started coming from behind the dashwhere the lighter plug is at. I looked up a thread by some klown guy on how to fix your car lighter(apparently you just screw it back in to the plug), ran the car for another 5 minutes, no smoke, no smell. Woohoo! (not that i'll ever have the a/c off living in orlando, but its good to know it wasnt a big problem!! thanks for the potential problem fixes guys! Always appreciate everyones 2 cents!

Edit: this would also explain why it was a "burnt" smell, haha. I think the wires were burning from getting current put through them and not having an outlet to go to

 

I would examine a little further and also make sure someone didn't bypass the fuse with a paperclip or foil. Be damn sure, not just think you fixed it. I would really hate to see your next thread be "my car burnt to the ground" like another member did a few days after his post about buying it.

 

No kidding...that's scary. Smoke is never a good thing. Have to agree with Joe...make sure.