Moisture smell with A/C

So I have a 2015 tacoma and whenever I turn on or off my A/C is smells went, not bad per say, just wet. The A/C gets down to about 48 degrees when the outside air is about 90. Is this 'normal' or is it something of concern? What needs to be repaired/ fixed if anything? Thanks in advance!

 

Just got my AC diagnosed since it’s been clicking off intermittently.. that temp considering ambient air seems to be right around where mine is (normal I believe). My truck had that smell too but went away after I got a new cabin air filter. Where do you live? Humid climate areas I’m sure don’t help that musty smell

 

I live in upstate NY and this happens anytime I use the A/C it could be 10 below or 100° it's smells funny. It's a carbon filter but I changes it about 15k miles /1 year ago. I'll see if it smells in the morning. Is that about how cold the AC gets? Or does it need a recharge?

 

I got mine looked at not too long ago, I live in SoCal and it always about 80* out.. pretty positive the thermometer read around 40* which was up to par. If I were you I’d swing it by a shop to do a pressure check, they might even do it for free since it only takes seconds really.

 

Thats what I was thinking of doing, im glad im not the only one haha, the smell doesn't bother me I know it bothers others. I sprayed a crap on of lysol in the air intake in the cowl and that just covered the smell didn't fix it so I suspected it had something to do with the A/C system.

 

Here’s my theory and solution. Moisture or condensation accumulates in the ducts when the ac is on. If you turn the engine off while the ac is still on, and has been on for some time, that moisture stays in there and can get moldy. So a couple minutes before I get to where I’m going, I turn the ac off and leave the fan blowing. Before I shut off the engine, I set the vents recirculating off so they’re open to outside air. All that helps evaporate the moisture in the ducts. Perhaps it’s my imagination, but it seems like the putrid smell isn’t there anymore. I’m no ac expert but it seems to work.

 

I heard about this a few months ago and it helps ever so slightly but not all that noticeable, I live close to a highway that im often on for work and I try to turn off the A/C while still at highway speeds to really dry it out. It smells in the winter too when I defrost/ defog my windshield.

 

I notice the stank goes away when I do this as well.

 

I do this too. It does work.

Toyota uses this:

$37 GENUINE TOYOTA APPROVED S.E.T. SERVICERITE AC EVAPORATOR REFRESH KIT 00053-00008

https://www.amazon.com/GENUINE-APPROVED-SERVICERITE-EVAPORATOR-00053-00008/dp/B07D3B5JTZ

 

Change cabin air filter, fixed the problem for me. Mine used to smell musty and even shot water out at times

 

This^

 

Flip to "fresh air" when driving.

Default is "recirculating" aka "Max cold air" but I only use that when I am behind a diesel (any particulate and I start coughing).

Flip to fresh air to help prevent mold. That and change the cabin filter once a year. (Super easy, also good to clean out the glove box annually).

 

Is that easy to use?

 

Yes. I did it to my truck and my cousin's Sienna and T100 along with changing cabin filters in the truck and van (non in the T100) and it made a noticeable difference.


ETA- SAVE THE HOSE NOZZLE! You can use it on the less expensive cans of A/C cleaner from Lowe's, Home Depot, etc.

 

Confirmed - buy the cleaning kit and run it through the system and change your cabin air filter. The air recirculation automatically sets to internal recirc any time the truck is backing up. Quite often it will stay in that mode. Although it cools better by recirculating the cooler air in the truck, it does cause moisture buildup.
1. Verify your drain is clear and working - The AC refresh it will clean out any of the nasties.
2. On days you are running the AC, turn off the AC and run it with fresh air for about a minute before shutting down the vehicle. This will help reduce any condensation at the coil.

 

This is also suggested by Toyota: T-SB-0142-13 HVAC Odor Maintenance.

 

Yes, see the note above post # 14