'03 Protege5 - Windshield Defroster Air Stinks

[wix]

Hi,

The windshield defroster air smells kind of musty/smokey when I use it. The air has no smell when I use the other options though. Does anyone have any ideas?

I was wondering if there is a Cabin Air Filter on the P5, i read that it doesn't not have one. Anything I can do to fix this problem?



Also, I'm still looking for the headlight clip on the driver side headlight, if anyone has one they don't need, please send me a PM, I will pay you for the clip and shipping as well. Thank you!

[fatti03msp]

umm check for an animal haha.

but at the worst i could be your heater core

[bucksatan]

If you run on other setting with the AC on does it smell bad too? The car automatically runs the AC in the defog settings, as dry air clears the windshield better than damp air. If it smells bad when the AC is on you could have some mold or crap growing on the cooler.

[wix]

Ohh i see, I'll check tomorrow, I haven't used AC since it's super cold here right now. But I'll check for sure. I never new that windshield (front) defrosting runs the AC too, I always leave it on that... is that bad?

[slavrenz]

fatti,
I just noticed your avatar, and I always learned it as "follow the sidewalk, don't cross the street" :)

[Peter5]

my windshield defroster dosnt smell bad but i have black dust all over my dash and im asuming its comming from the windshield def.
any idea what could cause that too ?

[bucksatan]

Ohh i see, I'll check tomorrow, I haven't used AC since it's super cold here right now. But I'll check for sure. I never new that windshield (front) defrosting runs the AC too, I always leave it on that... is that bad?


I don't think there is any problem doing that. I have it set to blow on the windshield or windshield/feet most of the winter. I figure that being able to see out of the windshield is the most important thing, and outweights the little extra gas you may use by running the AC most of the winter.

[pfiver]

that makes sense, but i believe the mold is probably the best idea, also check the vents on the outside below the windshield,cause that is were fresh air is taken into the cabin, so if you have leaves or something in there that are rotting then that might do it as well.

[wix]

I used the AC and the smell wasn't noticeably bad. I'll check for mold tomorrow :D

[P-Funk!]

I spray Lysol [tm] into the outside intake vents (cowl area) with the heater on windshield/heat fan low or medium. Takes care of the problem for at least 6 months...

[wix]

I checked this mrning and the smell is indeed coming from the intake vent outside of the windshield

[tsunami7]

Go to the parts store and get this stuff called Oznium, it's with the air fresheners. Spray it in the foot wells and cycle the air using the inside draw function.

[wix]

Go to the parts store and get this stuff called Oznium, it's with the air fresheners. Spray it in the foot wells and cycle the air using the inside draw function.

Are you sure that would help?

All the other vents do not smell, not even A/C. For some reason only the front windshield defroster setting smells bad :(