wreakhavoc

There is a heavy mildew smell when I switch on the defroster. No wet carpet anywhere, just happens when the defroster is turned on.

jgump

Bluefire

It happens because there is condensation build up from the coils when the AC is used. If it is not allowed to dry (running outside vent fan only) before the car is shut off, it can mildew in there. I had it too. Short term fix is start the car. Turn on the fan on high and select the outside as the intake source. Take a can of Lysol (your choice) and give a few shots into the intake screen (in between the windshield wipers). That will get rid of the current smell. Long term fix is try to remember to run the fan only a short while ater you run the AC before you shut off the car.

HTH.

wreakhavoc

???

wreakhavoc

Thanks, I'll try that. I'm pretty sure it's happening only on defrost though, not AC.

Bluefire

You'll smell it when the fan is on in defrost mode. When you turn on the AC it will smell at first and then clear up while it is being used again.