Anyone ever have a strange smell almost like urine when you turn on the AC? I have been using the AC a lot lately due to the heat, and have started noticing it when I first turn the system on. Seems to go away pretty quickly but I still would like to figure out what's causing it.

I don't think anyone took a leak into any of my air vents, and I didn't smell it when running the heat this winter or fresh air in the spring.

Any help appreciated!

 

http://www.revbase.com/BBBMotor/TSb/...dPdf?id=181291

 

Yes, I had this problem too. It's from condensation in the AC system. Per Lexus dealership, they said just to run the AC for a minute or two after you stopped and then turn the engine off. IDK if this made any difference.

I also found if it's a daily driver car, this tend not to happen. It's when you let the car sit for a day or more.

Of course, air freshener helps.

 

Are you sure its not a mouse using your car as a bathroom?

 

The maser mechanic at Lexus recommended that a turn off recirculated air and allow outside air in to dry out the system. It worked for my sc430.

 

Thanks for the tips guys - I've got a new air filter on the way so I will give that a try first. Pretty sure there's no animals living in there!

Could have been a while since the cabin filter was changed, so hopefully swapping that out will solve it. I'll be sure to report back.

 

Update: The smell is gone! Ordered a 2-pack of cabin air filters from Amazon on Thursday and got them on Saturday morning. I changed out the old filter which was pretty dirty and popped a new one in. Saturday night drove the truck and still smelled it. Sunday we drove the truck to lunch and I could still slightly smell it. This morning on the way to work I fired up the AC and didn't smell a thing.

Nice simple fix and only cost me about 9 bucks! Thanks for your help and suggestions!

 

Spray the filter with Fabreeze and that may cure your issue
G

 

I bought the air duct/vent cleaner from autozone that was recommended above and it seems like it worked. I sprayed about half the can into the vents located underneath the windshield wipers outside and then sprayed the remaining directly into the vents inside the vehicle.

 

Had same issue, the dealer checked it and did spray some cleaner in it, but told me it does this when it stays in recirculate. He said it would help to dry out the system occasionally by switching to fresh air 10 mins before I get home to dry out, so it doesn’t sit in a hot garage and mildew. Haven’t had the problem since.

 

I just want to share my experience in this issue in steps:
1- the D2D cleaner were used twice and the smell came back.
2- I had make sure that the drain is open by pouring water to the system from the short hose connecting the blower to the housing. It is a kind of a crazy work because I was able to do this after removing the full internal carpet and the below acoustic panels.
3- after keeping the flow of the water for around 5 minutes, the flow was increased just to confirm that it is not the cause of the smell. after that there wear no smell at all and it reminded me with my old 3rd gen GS.
4- after one day the smell came back and it looks like something is again started to build the smell.

Unfortunately, I'm clueless and can't tell what could be the reason exactly. However, I will try to use the 70% alcohol spry and update as soon as possible.

 

some critter got in there, and **** on the airfilter.
pull out the old air filter, and replace it.

if it still smells, autozone makes a evaporator cleaner that you just spray into the intake vent in the car