My A/C smells like mildew

[EIGHTEIGHT_GT]

if I run the a/c then turn it off it smells like mildew. Anyone know what causes it?

 

[Maza4ever14]

when you have the A/C on, do you leave on the button with the 2 arrows going in a circle? You can only leave that on for 15 minutes at a time or else it builds up mildew. It is the cabin filter or something, when the filter gets too cold it freezes up a tiny bit and when it thaws out it is moist, causing it to grow mildew.

They sell a spray you spray into you air ducts that kills the mildew. If you go into a service dept and ask, they might even do it for free.

 

[DarkFireGT]

Change your cabin air filter. That should solve it.

 

[UrbanRedneck]

when you have the A/C on, do you leave on the button with the 2 arrows going in a circle? You can only leave that on for 15 minutes at a time or else it builds up mildew. It is the cabin filter or something, when the filter gets too cold it freezes up a tiny bit and when it thaws out it is moist, causing it to grow mildew.

They sell a spray you spray into you air ducts that kills the mildew. If you go into a service dept and ask, they might even do it for free.

You can use recirculate for as long as you want. The moisture buildup on the evaporator is from moisture being taken out of the air, it happens regardless of A/C setting. It is reccomended that you run the A/C on outside air (not recirculate) for a while though before turning the car off if you will be letting it sit for a while, to dry the moisture buildup. Some cars do this automatically.

The mildew builds up on the evaporator usually, but it takes a LONG time for it to get bad enough to smell it. In that case, you can try sprays, but they don't work so well from waht I've heard. Your car probably just needs a cabin filter though, so I'd start there.

 

[EIGHTEIGHT_GT]

is that something that is only available at the dealership? And is something new to the 05+? I dont remember having it on my 99 35th.

 

[ARTTII]

Yeah, cabin air filters are new to Mustang for 2005+. They are a simple DIY change, you have to pull the black plastic cowl cover on the passenger side to get to it.