My A/C smells on my 2020 Chevy truck

B.R. · April 21, 2020

I Bought a brand new 2020 Silverado truck two months ago and my A/C smells bad. But it’s only when I turn the A/C button on. The blower and the heater doesn’t smell when it’s on. Has anyone had this problem?

bshort · April 21, 2020

Nope. Take it back.

BlancoSilverado · April 21, 2020

Same issue on my 2019, i had to take it back to them(dealer) and turn on the "AfterBlow" feature. This will turn on the blower after turning off the car (after 20-30 minutes) for a 1-2 mins to take the water off the evaporator (in the cab cooler). I had them run some ozium to kill the bacteria.

I replaced the cabin air filter with the wix filter that has carbon in it to help but going to the dealer is the best thing to do. They have to verify that there is a smell. (IDK what would happen if the tech didnt smell it).

I tried to fix it myself by having the blower running for 20 mins on a hot day without the motor running(so the AC wouldnt turn on).

Didnt work too well the smell can back in a few weeks.

B.R. · April 21, 2020

Thank you!

Thomcat · April 21, 2020

Definitely turn on the afterblow.

Dealer had set mine for afterblow during the initial prep so no crap even has a chance to grow from moisture and build up on the evaporator.......no smells from A/C.

Sierra50BMG · April 21, 2020

A/C = windows down lol

sorry had to, ive experienced this before but not with my 2020, haven’t had to run A/C yet.

tinbad · April 21, 2020

Yes! I’ve had the same issue on my 2019 that started last summer when I first got the truck. The dealer said it was normal and he had it in every car he owned. Well, I never had it in any car I’ve owned, not even a 15yr old junker so he must be from another planet.

I didn’t have time to deal with it and once the hot weather went away, so did the smell. I do plan to take it in again this summer if it comes back. I’ve only had it smell on 90+ degree days. Does yours smell all the time?

bdsilverado · April 22, 2020

It's this a quick free thing to have done while getting an oil change? Or schedule an opponent kinda deal.

Z45 · April 22, 2020

What you are smelling is caused by the build up of mold and bacteria on your evaporator coil. Warm climates (high humidity) are more prone to this.

Edited April 22, 2020 by elcamino

GMCustomerService · April 24, 2020

Hi, everyone. This is certainly not what we wish to hear. Our team is more than happy to reach out the dealership on your behalf. To do so, please send an email to [email protected] ATTN:Forum Username/Gm Trucks with your contact information, VIN, brief description of your concern, and preferred dealership. We look forward to hearing from you. To learn more about GM's privacy policy, please visit http://bit.ly/2h3ZUnC.

Aleigha W.

mbradbury73 · April 25

Having same issue: 2022 Silverado 1500

smit303 · April 25

I had a dead mouse in my cabin air filter. You might want to check it out.

BIGDOGx · April 25

2 hours ago, smit303 said:

I had a dead mouse in my cabin air filter. You might want to check it out.

Yikes how did you get it out as there is only enough space to pull the filter out, i usually rip a piece of the filter box cardboard and try and create a dam on the underside of the filter so stuff doesn't just fall past it once you pull the filter out.

But to those with smells and you have never changed your filter? Give that a try, even better K&N makes them and are only double the price of a standard one, and of course it will be the only one you will ever need to buy again. Plus I here it helps with the flow of your cooling and heating system as like with a k&n air filter it is higher flowing then stock.