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Bill, I would be really tempted to take the system apart and bleach it.
You probably do not want to do that. Dealerships and good detailing shops offer A/C mold and mildew services and normally guaranteed. I will post some other methods used by Tech.s and others that they say work and are not expensive to do. Do change your interior filters for sure if your car is equipped.
Check the attached links,instruction and guides, Good luck
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You will probably need a No 2 star and a small flat head and your fingers to remove the cover, You should see clips all around the edges on the inside of the cover....
If you have some cooling, but not enough, then chances are that the system is low on freon. The only reason a system would need freon is because the freon leaked out. If the leak is not sealed before recharging with freon, the freon will eventually leak out again.
Leak repairs are expensive so if it's a small leak it may be more cost effective to recharge the system every two or three years. Freon recharging is not a do-it-yourself job. Only people certified to handle refrigerant (freon) are allowed to recharge an air conditioning system.
OR
1. Extremely dirty air filter restricting the airflow through the inside unit.
2. Extremely dirty (clogged) cooling coil restricting airflow
AND IF IT IS LEAKING
If you do not see ice build-up on the larger copper tubing (covered with a black, sponge insulation) when you run your system, then you probably have a clogged drain line. A clogged drain line is usually caused by algae build-up inside the drain line. And yes, there is something you can do to prevent this condition. Algae is a living plant and will grow in your drain line until it clogs the line. The air handler provides a cool, damp environment for development of molds and mildew and if left untreated these growths can spread into your ductwork.
If only moderate to light buildup is present then there are chemical disinfectants specifically designed for use in air handlers that will kill the existing mold and mildew and control new growth. These disinfectants are safe and very effective and are applied by simply spraying into the filter intake and by placing "Algae Strips" directly in the drain pan. If the coil has mold or mildew present then it also should be treated. Make sure that the face of the cooling or evaporator coil is clean so that air can pass through freely.
HOPE THIS HELPS :)
Sounds like the evaporator coil, or a hose to it is leaking inside the car. Do you see water on the ground with the car sitting and the air on? Maybe the drain is clogged? Mold build up has clogged drain?
This smell is caused by mold and mildew build up in the AC air passages and on the heater and the AC evaporator cores in the dash, u can spray LYSOL mold and mildew remover into the system at the air intake in front of the windshield with the blower turned to max, use about 1/4 can, then turn off the system and let it sit for an hour, then turn it back on with full heat, let that run to dry out the chemical, this will cure the smell short term until the mold and mildew grow back, it is a fix we did often in the shop, the wetter the climate u live in the worse the problem
Autoparts places have a spray now for that, to apparently remove mold & mildew build up in the system. It has instructions on the can I'm told. Personally, I use Lysol spray, or fabreeze & aim it in on passenger side of cowl where air is drawn into the system, (listen with heater on full, standing on passenger side, down near wiper arm pivot) with heater on medium or high, I spray it in there, and then change to vent, then defrost, then floor, to make sure I get all the duct work inside. I leave windows open so smell isn't too strong. Worst I have to do is clean inside of windshield if it leaves a film. May not be for everyone, but works for me.
Mold and mildew builds up in the system from moisture in the air, dealers have chemicals they spray inside the ducting to kill these molds and mildews, the service runs about $100, there is no permanent fix, this will need to be done from time to time as req'ed, a short term fix is to spray Lysol into the heating/AC air inlet at the base of the windshield, run the blower on high and set to outside air, spray in about 1/2 can and then turn of the system and let it set.
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