1. Sit inside the vehicle.
2. Close all the of the doors and windows.
3. Start the engine .
4. Let the engine idle at normal operating temperature.
5. Set the blower speed to HI.
6. Set the mode to VENT.
7. Set the temperature control to full COLD.
8. Cycle through all of the blower speeds, modes and temperature control positions in order to define what type of odor is present:

•	Musty odor

•	Coolant odor

•

Oil odor

Does the odor have a musty odor?

Go to Step 2

Go to Step 5

1. Inspect the evaporator drain tube for a blockage.
2. Clean and repair the blockage as necessary.

Was the drain plugged and was an excessive amount of water present?

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 4

1. Inspect for a water leak at the plenum to the windshield seal.
2. Inspect the HVAC filter cover and inspect for debris on the filter.
3. Inspect for wet carpet or mats, and inspect the HVAC case seals at the front of the IP.
4. Repair the leak as necessary.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 14

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The probable odor is caused by mold/mildew buildup within the HVAC case and on the evaporator and heater cores. In order to correct the odor, refer to Odor Correction .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 14

--

Does the odor have a coolant odor?

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 11

Inspect the cooling system for leaks. Refer to Loss of Coolant in Engine Cooling.

Is a leak present in the engine compartment area?

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 8

Repair the leak as necessary.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 14

--

Inspect for coolant leakage inside the vehicle and/or for a film buildup on the windshield.

Is a leak present?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 10

Replace the heater core. Refer to Heater Core Replacement .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 14

--

1. It is possible to have a leak in the heater core without a visible leak outside of the case. Remove the heater core and inspect for a leak. Refer to Heater Core Replacement .
2. Repair the condition as necessary.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 14

--

Does the odor have an oil odor?

Go to Step 12

System OK

1. Inspect the engine compartment area for an oil leak. Refer to the following for leak diagnosis:

•	Oil Leak Diagnosis in Engine Mechanical-4.6L

•	Fluid Leak Diagnosis in Automatic Transaxle

•	Power Steering Fluid Leaks in Power Steering System

2. Repair any oil leaks.

Did you complete the repair(s) but is there is still an oil odor within the vehicle?

Go to Step 13

--

The probable cause of the odor is a refrigerant oil leak in the evaporator core. Inspect and repair the evaporator as necessary. Refer to Air Conditioning Evaporator Core Replacement .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 14

--

Operate the system in order to verify the repair.

Did you correct the condition?

System OK

Go to Step 1