Q: Death in the A/C
A few days ago I turned my car on and there was a loud rattling sound in the engine for a while. It eventually stopped but the next day when i turned it on, there was a death-like smell coming out of the air vents. Once I realized the smell and sound was coming from the vents I turned it off. The smell is only evident when the ac is on. I am sure it's something worse than regular grime or mildew, and I would like to figure out how to solve this issue and if possible do it myself.
My car has an automatic transmission.
The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our
terms of service
for more details
Get an instant quote for your car
Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing
What others are asking
Bad squeaking from under hood, could be pulley.
Hi there. This noise can become very annoying, especially if it is very loud. If the noise typically occurs when the engine is first started and then goes away it can be the alternator bearing. If it is a constant...
2010 Chrysler 300 not getting operating temperature
The first thing you'd want to do is change the thermostat. It is a cheap part, so change the thermostat first to see if this remedies the problem. They often just don't heat to the operating temperature because the thermostat...
Nissan Serena 2001 Transmission has shifting-problems intermittently.
It is possible that this is a transmission control module issue. As you may already know the transmission control module provides direction to the transmission as to shifting points, clutching and a wide variety of other control related transmission functions....
Truck starts to overheat and blows cool from the heater but fixes itself after hitting a bump.
The overheating may also be caused by other issues such as a bad heater core. This is a small radiator used to warm up the interior of the vehicle making the heater operational. A valve controls the flow of hot...
Heater will not stay hot
Hello. You are likely facing multiple issues at once. The low coolant would absolutely cause the heater (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/heater-is-not-working-inspection) to function intermittently. If you are continuously losing coolant there is likely a leak on the system and it will need to...
Rough idle and engine misfire
Engine misfires can be caused by many different problems, but there are a few suspects that occur more than others. Generally, misfires are caused by either a spark or fuel issue or in cases, a combination of both. Spark related...
Idle problems when stopped. Car stops running. 4WD and Check engine lights on and solid. Gas cap tightened to verify
What you are describing sounds like a dirty or faulty mass air flow sensor. The mass air flow sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/mass-airflow-sensor-replacement) monitors air intake as it is mixed with fuel prior to being injected into the motor. This sensor relays vital...
Transmission temperature sensor is acting up. Can it be changed?
Your vehicle should have an AODE / 4R70W transmission and the transmission temperature sensor is located on the Valve Body (brain) in the oil pan. Remove the transmission oil pan and drain out the oil. Remove the oil filter and...
My car turns off when driving or if left running it will turn off while idle.
A few different things will usually cause the vehicle to start and then die (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-starts-and-then-dies-inspection). A bad ignition coil (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/ignition-coil-replacement) can cause this if it is beginning to fail, resulting in intermittent starting problems. A dirty or faulty mass air...
Related articles
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You Get Motion Sickness
For For people that suffer from motion sickness, even on the shortest car trip, riding in a vehicle can prove to be unbearable. What’s great is that there are a number of cars on the market that can help to...
How to Buy a Good Quality Heater Blower Motor
The The heater blower motor is part of the air conditioner and heater controls assembly, one of the many features created to make your ride as comfortable as possible. Your heater and air conditioner do the bulk of the work...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing AC Condenser Fan
Common signs include lukewarm air coming from the AC vent, the car overheating while idle, and a burning smell in the car.
Browse other content
Maintenance
Services