I have a 94 SC400...So, now that summer is here in chicago i turned on my A/C and a recurring smell is back, It is only when my system is cooling down, jut before it gets cold. It is getting worse every year.
I can't find a drain tube that might be clogged, my intake screens don't have any holes in them. What am i missing?
Thanks for any help!!!

 

Thats mildew, and its caused by water staying in the system. most likely what you are doing is using your AC and then shutting off the car with the AC still on. This leaves the ice inside the evaporator that then melts and mildew starts feeding on it every time the car is shut off. when you turn it on you freeze it all back up and the smell goes away. What i find helps is turning off AC a mile or so before destination so the ice melts and you are still blasting air through the condenser and evaporate the water. Since the mildew is already there though, you need to get some anti mildew spray and spray it in there and hopefully it will get rid of it. The drain tube comes out right by the front subframe on the passenger side. i can't remember if in front or behind it. So check there if you can see water dripping out after having AC on for a while and then turning it off.

I haven't taken that part of my car apart yet, so i'm not sure how easy it is to access from under the dash but spraying the mildew cleaner right into the condenser area will provide you with the best results. I have previously just sprayed it into the vents with so-so results.

 

Thanks man! I did get spray, worked so far.
I haven't looked for the cabin filter, gonna do that today.

 

Now that is something I have never done.. I will have to give it a try. Thanks for posting this detailed description of why possibly we have a smell.

 

hello ive had this same problem but i was wondering is there a way i can drain it from the drain tube?

 

The drain tube is designed to drain the water from the system without you having to do it. If your drain tube is clogged you need a coat hanger or something semi-stiff to shove up it and hopefully unclog it. either way you need to either get under your dash or under your car, no lazy way out to properly fix this. It's a preventative maintenance thing to keep from happening

 

$5.00 fix

 

same me i hate smell when i turn off a/c.... it could cabin filter got dirt..?

 

go to toyota and get a kit that forces foam thru your system and a spray that sprays in your vent, the cost is $20 you can do it your self. also when have you changed the cabin filter? the cabin filter will be a little tricky . get the exact model for your car so it will fit.