I am getting a bad smell from my vents. It does not happen when I have the AC on. It only happens when I allow the air to enter from outside. Does any one know what this could be? And yes I did change the in cabin filter. Thanks.

 

it could be something trapped in the outside vent and the air filter is simply eliminating the odor or the A/C is eliminating it. Open the hood and check by the windshield for debris and such. Some members have had mice build homes there and cause a ton of issues. Another actually had a dead mouse stuck in his A/C blower motor!

 

I've heard of cats pissing under car hoods in the winter. They sometimes go in the engine compartment to stay out of the elements. A stench that'll stay with the car for life...

 

Thanks for the info. Im pretty sure the smell is not cat piss lol, like I said it only appears if I drive with the vents open allowing the outside air to enter.

 

Spray a LOT of Lysol into all of the interior vents, and also the A/C vents under the hood (close to the firewall, right in front of the wipers), all while the air is blowing full blast. Keep the air going for several minutes.

Hopefully, you'll be able to disinfect the ventilation system.

 

Thanks, I will try this as soon as I get home from my trip.

 

Don't use Lysol, it stinks. Same with Klima cleaner. I like a/c pro odor eliminator. However, I have the same reoccuring problem every 4-6 months. I have taken out my blower motor (super easy) and cleaned what I could reaching around in there, changed cabin filter (w/ carbon one) and as stated, do the occasional evap cleaner (works for a while). but can't seem to get rid of the smell. I did find mice dropping in the "v" of the motor (hard to get at) but think i have it all cleaned out. I also washed the motor so any remnants wouldn't heat up and smell. I poured bleach water down the windshield (drains out the side behind the wheel). Disassembled what i could of vent system, and pulled out vents to clean. I need more ideas... What am i missing? The heater core is a huge pain in the TL (I have done one on a previous GM car) that's about the only thing i didn't try. Frustration.

The outside air enters just under the windshield on the passenger side. You would have to remove the cowl to really get in there. Think i had found a post/pic in the past for it.

Burning smell? check pulleys. also high pressure power steering hose has a recall and can leak onto exhaust.