Air Conditioner Smell - 2021

Hi All - I searched and found a # of posts on older Tacomas but nothing similar to what I am experiencing with my truck.

Summary:

• 2021 Offroad Model
• Used AC all last summer with no issues. And I like it cold, so I ran it a lot!
• We had a warm spell here in San Diego off/on over the last few weeks so I've run it a number of times
• Scent is sort of foul, but sweet smelling at the same time (if that makes sense)
• Literally lasts for about 10-20 seconds when I turn the A/C on, subtle smell but noticable to anyone in the cab.
• It then clears up and doesn't smell anymore

What I've checked:

1. Checked cabin air filter today and it had your typical dust/dirt on it so I shook it out and re-installed. Nothing unexpected.
2. A/C Drain - ran A/C and condensation drains perfectly fine. Not clogged.

Any suggestions/ideas?

 

Check the cowl behind the hood where the a/c air intake is...pop off the black covers and make sure nothing is in there and no critters have chewed up the mesh and/or set up a nest.

 

Sounds like a dead mouse somewhere.

 

Your in California... What you expect...lol

 

I had the exact same issue with a new 2017 TRD Sport. I took it back to dealership and they stated this was a common issue - you are smelling bacteria growing in the coil. They cleaned it with Toyota OEM Air Conditioner A/C CLEANER REFRESHER KIT. It was under warranty however you can find the kit on Amazon if you decide to tackle it yourself unless your warranty covers it. Ask your dealership.

$41 Toyota AC Refresher KIT

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XC93LK9

 

When I lived in AZ, this was common for my 17 and both 19's its related to bacteria growth in system, try circulating it to open not closed when using a/c.

 

You need to run your system with the recycling off and open to air outside the vehicle for about 30 seconds before you shut your vehicle off every time you use your air conditioner. This will keep you from getting the bacteria build up and smell. That is what was explained to me by someone on here and it has worked for me have never had a bad smell using my ac yet.

 

It's just part of the brilliance of Toyota engineers, because they only design perfection.

It's a by-product of recirculation being on by default when you run the a/c. Every other car manufacturer defaults recirculate off, and when you turn it on it turns off automatically after 10-15 mins. Ya know...to prevent this from being an issue.

Who knows, maybe Toyota will figure it out some day.

Kaizen.

 

I too had the same smell and if I turned off the AC and kept the blower on for a while, the smell didn't return.


BG makes some Awesome stuff to clean https://www.bgprod.com/catalog/climate-control/

 

I bought an ozone spray because where I live there has been an increase of skunk sightings and spraying. While this spray doesn’t necessarily make the ac smell better, it is good at removing any and all odors.

 

Thanks everyone. I turned off recirculate for a few days and the "scent" is gone. Appreciate the feedback. Super bizarre as I have used recirculate with A/C on in my other vehicles for decades with no issues.

 

This. Something I've never had to worry about in any other car I owned. Now all of a sudden in my Tacoma I have to manually turn off recirc and blow warm/hot air through the system every time I use the AC. Ridiculous