2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission extremely odd smell from vents?

[onestackdram]

again with odd questions. tonight there began an odd odor from the vents. i thought maybe it was just something from out side. but there is no doubt that the smell is coming from my truck. i cant determine if it is something in the heater or the engine its self? if it helps the odor is either like paint or a deck stainer. i dont have the slightest clue what it could be or where it is coming from there fore the reason i added this thread cause any ideas are extremely welcome

 

[77 cafe racer]

Have you checked your water pump? Glycol really stinks. Good luck.

 

[RPosey]

Does it smell like antifreeze?could be you heater core.

 

[Todd T]

most commonly the evaporator coil in the HVAC box under the dash. these are know the develope leaks and you may be smelling the oil used in the refrigerant.



does castor ring a smell?



its not a bad job to swap it out if you know someone that can recover your refrigerant. otherwise let it out into... . ??well you know where and pay to have a shop vacuum you out and recharge it once you put in a new one.



takes about 2 hours to swap it out.

 

[dan_gilson]

You should also check the AC condensor drain to make sure it is not plugged. There is a hose between the passenger floor boards and the right fron wheel. It should take a leak on the ground if you have been running AC or defrost.



If it not anything dealing with coolant you might try the spray lysol trick down the vent intake to see if the smell goes away.

Open windows, run AC with fan on high and spray along the base of the wind shield. I do periodically to get rid of the musty smell.

 

[Forrest]

What, Doc hasn't seen this one yet? He's missing a prime opportunity. :-laf

 

[onestackdram]

actually i think i figured it out. after talking to my neighbor with the same year and style. he took a look at it simply to help identify the smell. what we came up with is that the light switch for the markers and headlights has gone bad and was burning itself up when its turned on. he had the same problem and it made the same smell in his cab just a few weeks ago. so i think i will try to change that tommorow and see what happens

 

[Loren]

From your description of the smell, it doesn't sound like what happened to me, but just in case...



My 1995 had a musty smell from the vents. It turns out that it was growing mold in the intake. There was a service bulletin issued for this. When I took it to the dealer, they treated the intake with some sort of fungicide, and the smell went away, never to return.



Happy hunting.



Loren

 

[WDaniels]

Onestackram,

Get the relay from recall 819 for the 96/97 ram3500. It is not called for on the 2500's but they will continue to melt the connector. I've gone through two switch assemblies and it still melts the connector. I'm gonna get the relay from the 819 this friday. Hope this helps.

WD

 

[onestackdram]

do i just call a dodge dealer and tell them "i need a reacal 819"?