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Joined: Sep 2003
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OP
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Occasionaly when the car is turned on, and the HVAC is left on defroster, a blast of moisture will come up and condense on the windshield and front windows. Normally this moisture smells pretty bad. Almost like mold i am guessing. Seems like it happens more often when it is raining (hence the humidity)
What is causing this?
Sometimes the smell will be there even when it is not on defroster and i turn on the panel air.
99 CSVT
Silver Frost (soon to change)
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have you replaced the cabin air filter lately?
Jason
00 Audi S4, 2.7 Bi-turbo quattro 
01 S10 Xtreme, 4.3l
98' Contour SE with some mods
96 Cavalier (beater)
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Joined: Sep 2003
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That was my guess as to what the problem is. I bought the car about 3 months ago, so i don't know when it was replaced. I guess i can yank it and find out.
Where should i pick one up? The dealer? Or do they gouge too much
Last edited by fly44; 11/20/03 08:49 PM.
99 CSVT
Silver Frost (soon to change)
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Originally posted by fly44:
That was my guess as to what the problem is. I bought the car about 3 months ago, so i don't know when it was replaced. I guess i can yank it and find out.
Where should i pick one up? The dealer? Or do they gouge too much
NAPA $21.95, best price in town.
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Joined: Feb 2003
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Spray Lysol into the air intake below the windshield!
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When you use the defroster, the AC system runs also to dehumidify the air. When you start the car up again, the residual moisture on the AC evaporator coil blows onto the cold windshield, causing the fogging. The residual moisture on the AC coil is also the reason for the 'stale' smell. To minimize it happening, turn the control from 'defrost' to 'heat' for a few minutes before you turn off the car. This will allow the AC coil to partially dry out and it helps to keep mildew from growing on the wet AC coil surfaces when it sits overnight.
-Mark-
'99 Mystique LS, totally original (including the original water pump and the premium stereo)! Bought new in December 1998 for $21,000.
208,000 miles
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Your evaporator drain is plugged, most likely.
Unplug it so the case can drain.
Steve
98 Contour SE Sport 2.5 Duratec ATX The wifey's car
89 Taurus SHO - 246K miles
94 SHO ATX - 190K
1997 F-150 5.4L ATX - The Workhorse 150K.
ANY THREAD WITH "OMG" or "WTF" ETC IN THE TITLE WILL BE IGNORED!
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Originally posted by projectSHO89:
Your evaporator drain is plugged, most likely.
Unplug it so the case can drain.
Steve
I agree with this guy. When it gets plugged, it can start causing water to go into the passenger footwell, in the carpet and insulation, and it will mold. You might also have a leaky evap. case. My drain isn't plugged, but the case is leaking. I took out my passenger floormat one day and noticed mold growing on the bottom of it. I haven't put it back since, until I can tear the dash out and seal up the evap. case. Your evap drain is best seen under the car, on the passenger side, directly above? i think- a peice of metal heat sheild. It's a small plastic tube that sticks through the firewall. Some Contours had a problem where this tube wouldnt stick through the firewall, and all thje water would drain in the car.
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