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1 Bad smell coming from air vents on car when fresh in take is on
I have a 2015 Kia Sorento. I noticed a bad smell coming from my air vents about a week ago when I was in park with the heater on. It's not a sweet smell like antifreeze and it's not a stinky smell like rotten eggs. It's more of an electrical smell. I took it to the dealership and they changed the cabin filter and said they looked it over and couldn't find anything. They said they looked at the exhaust system and for any oil leaks. Found nothing. So I hoped the cabin filter solved the problem. It did not. So only clues I have is car has to be on fresh air intake and the temp has to be halfway before this happens. And it can be smelled from the inside of the car, the outside and under the hood. Anyone have any idea what it could be? Thanks.
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8 Comments
Hi @ammie78 ,
Do you have the vent fan on or off?
What is the heater setting on?
If the fan is off and you turn it on does the air coming out of the vents feel cold, warm or hot, taking the outside temperature into account?
by jayeff
The heat is on high and it's very hot air, as I let the car warm up before I drive it. It's been very cold here, anywhere from 0 to 10.
by Ammie Hansford
Hi @ammie78 ,
Realize that it may be difficult but does the smell disappear (eventually) if you turn the heater fan off but leave the heater set to high?
You mentioned that it smelt a bit like an electrical smell, so was wondering if it is the fan perhaps
by jayeff
I will have to try that tomorrow and see. I know I don't smell it if I have my air is on recirculate. It only smells when its on fresh air intake. I have taken it to the dealer ship twice now and they cant find anything wrong. I had them look specifically at the blower resistor today and the wiring to it as someone said that could be the problem.
by Ammie Hansford
I have the same issue with my kio Rio. When I turn on the heater it smells like dust the smell even you empty a vacuum bag and it actually makes me choke to the point where I have to open up the windows. Took it to Kia dealer and they flushed it all out for 160 dollars and that lasted a day and smell is still there. Whether i have it on heater defrost or anything it smells. Not all the time but more often than not. It goes away once I hit repair parking lot lol. It happens even if the car has been sitting a short time. It’s not a Healthy thing to be inhaling as I feel quite sick afterwards
by Laurie
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