Wet rag smell every time

[chirocksout]

Anyone know a way to eliminate the wet rag smell? Every time I turn on the AC I smell it. I’ve replaced cabin filters and that helps but it doesn’t do away with the smell when I first turn on the unit

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[crazywayne311]

yep, same here. i notice if i remote start the truck, by the time i get in its not that bad haha

 

[johnhbrandon]

The mildew smell is from recirculating the stale cabin air. My A/C defaults to recirculate, ostensibly to reduce the time it takes to get the cabin to the desired temperature. By switching to outside incoming air, it allows fresh air to replace the old stale air. I wish the system would default to whatever I left it set to but it always goes back to recirculate after the truck has been shut off and restarted. I'm searching for a default setting in Forscan to change this behavior.

 

[Ziggy73]

Anyone know a way to eliminate the wet rag smell? Every time I turn on the AC I smell it. I’ve replaced cabin filters and that helps but it doesn’t do away with the smell when I first turn on the unit

Turn off the AC a few minutes (switch to vent) before you shut the truck off each time you plan on letting it set for 8+hrs. This will mostly dry the moisture from the unit and it fixed my smell. It's hard to remember at times but I've gotten used to it.

 

[s.v.t.]

I have the same issue; however, I don't ever see (or pay attention) to my truck running recirc. I always use 'auto'. I have seen videos where a Ford Technician is spraying lysol into the duct where the cabin air filter is located (filter is removed). He sprays it very liberally, then running the system. I have considered trying this.
YMMV.

 

[SpaceWhiteF150]

When you replace your cabin air filter spritz a little air freshener on it!!

 

[jridout325]

My truck was having this issue, I would always run with the recirculate on and that is what causes it. Since I've stopped using that the issue has gone away. What causes it is inside the condenser box under the dash is like a swamp with the recirculate on and it never has time to dry out if its not drawing outside air in. If its really bad you can spray some lysol in the intake up by the wipers/windshield on the top of the hood of the truck

 

[johnhbrandon]

My truck was having this issue, I would always run with the recirculate on and that is what causes it. Since I've stopped using that the issue has gone away. What causes it is inside the condenser box under the dash is like a swamp with the recirculate on and it never has time to dry out if its not drawing outside air in. If its really bad you can spray some lysol in the intake up by the wipers/windshield on the top of the hood of the truck

Quite right about drawing in outside air. The problem is each time I shut off the truck and restart it, the A/C reverts back to recirculate. Do you or does anyone know if there’s a way through FORScan to set the default to outside air?

 

[jridout325]

Quite right about drawing in outside air. The problem is each time I shut off the truck and restart it, the A/C reverts back to recirculate. Do you or does anyone know if there’s a way through FORScan to set the default to outside air?

I leave my truck in Auto mode and it always seems to default to drawing outside air. I know I would always have to press the recirculate button every time I got in the truck. I believe that if the truck is using max A/C it will be using the recirculate mode. I see you live in texas so that may be the reason why yours defaults to recirculate

 

[780]

I leave my truck in Auto mode and it always seems to default to drawing outside air. I know I would always have to press the recirculate button every time I got in the truck. I believe that if the truck is using max A/C it will be using the recirculate mode. I see you live in texas so that may be the reason why yours defaults to recirculate

Same here. I think mine defaults to outside air. When I have it set to dash vent it smells like piss. I guess moldy wet rag..... I started using the vent clip air fresheners for that setting. But, no help.
Anyone figure out the cause?

 

[johnhbrandon]

Same here. I think mine defaults to outside air. When I have it set to dash vent it smells like piss. I guess moldy wet rag..... I started using the vent clip air fresheners for that setting. But, no help.
Anyone figure out the cause?

That's interesting yours defaults to outside air. As suggested by @jridout325, it may have to do with our extreme temperatures here in Texas this summer. I've only owned this truck since June and it's been hot ever since then. Good to know. I'll keep a watch on what it does when our weather cools down.... if that ever happens?

 

[780]

That's interesting yours defaults to outside air. As suggested by @jridout325, it may have to do with our extreme temperatures here in Texas this summer. I've only owned this truck since June and it's been hot ever since then. Good to know. I'll keep a watch on what it does when our weather cools down.... if that ever happens?

I wish we had that problem up here. It's getting cold here. Next week overnight temps are near the freezing mark. We just had our trailer winterized and put away and there's maybe an hour after dinner where it's not too cold to go for a bike ride. So maybe another couple rides then that will be stored away for the winter too.

?

 

[NotMyName]

I’ve never owned a vehicle that defaulted to recirculate. In fact, had vehicles that after a certain amount of time would go back to normal from recirculate, apparently due to safety reasons, and bringing outside air into the vehicle. My 2022 F150 never defaults to recirculate. Check and make sure you don’t have Max AC turned on because it will start up with that setting and when you choose that setting, it includes recirculate.

 

[johnhbrandon]

I’ve never owned a vehicle that defaulted to recirculate. In fact, had vehicles that after a certain amount of time would go back to normal from recirculate, apparently due to safety reasons, and bringing outside air into the vehicle. My 2022 F150 never defaults to recirculate. Check and make sure you don’t have Max AC turned on because it will start up with that setting and when you choose that setting, it includes recirculate.

Honestly, this is the first time I’ve had a vehicle that defaults back to recirculate. No, it’s not on max a/c but again, it may be due to the outside temperatures. Since others in this thread have said theirs doesn’t default to recirc, I’ll keep a closer eye on it. A side note however. We drove to the North Carolina mountains for a couple of weeks and the temps there were mild to almost chilly and I think the a/c was still on recirc.

 

[js312]

My truck does this too - definitely not a recirculate thing because on auto mine is pulling in outside air. I've never seen it use recirculate unless I manually switch it.

It was first noticeable near the end of last summer, then it went away with the winter. Now it's starting to come back again. Today I sprayed some Febreze in the cowl vents with the heat on high, hoping that helps.

When it warms up again later this week I'm going to make absolutely sure the drain isn't plugged. I doubt it is because I don't park under trees or anything, but always a chance I guess.

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