Mildew smell from A/C first couple minutes

[shock]

The first couple minutes after starting my 19 Tahoe the AC smells like a wet basement. It’s generally garaged so it doesn’t sit in the sun much. The odor clears after a bit.

This is the first summer I’ve owned it.

Is there something I can clean/flush/check for a clog?

There is no wet carpet and it seems to leave a normal wet spot on the pavement. There is no residual smell in the cabin if the AC is off.

 

[Bill 1960]

There are coil cleaning sprays that can be applied to the evaporator coils. Getting to the coils is the difficult part. You can also rent ozone generators and use one to sterilize the entire interior of the vehicle; that’s what car dealers do. I’ve seen them on Amazon.

 

[Fless]

Try turning off the A/C compressor a few blocks before getting home. Keep the blower going to help dry out the evaporator. I think that the afterblow function -- look it up -- can be activated on your rig, IIRC.

 

[THarber]

Replace the cabin air filter, its behind the glove box.

Tim

 

[tom3]

Also don't use the inside air recirculation setting on the AC for any length of time.

 

[BADRIDES]

Replace the cabin air filter, its behind the glove box.

Tim

Ditto

 

[Tahoen]

The first couple minutes after starting my 19 Tahoe the AC smells like a wet basement. It’s generally garaged so it doesn’t sit in the sun much. The odor clears after a bit.

This is the first summer I’ve owned it.

Is there something I can clean/flush/check for a clog?

There is no wet carpet and it seems to leave a normal wet spot on the pavement. There is no residual smell in the cabin if the AC is off.

Amazon.com

Definitely change out your cabin filter

 

[gat0r]

definitely check your cabin filter.
then run by dealer & have them check the status of "afterblow" feature in your ECM. have them enable it , if it is not.

 

[TxVet33]

with the AC running full blast (frt&back) spray most of a can of Lysol into fresh air intake at the back of the hood.
then replace your cabin air filter.
remember all windows open

 

[houstontaylor]

The first couple minutes after starting my 19 Tahoe the AC smells like a wet basement. It’s generally garaged so it doesn’t sit in the sun much. The odor clears after a bit.

This is the first summer I’ve owned it.

Is there something I can clean/flush/check for a clog?

There is no wet carpet and it seems to leave a normal wet spot on the pavement. There is no residual smell in the cabin if the AC is off.

I turn the air conditioning off of recirculating to outside air before shutting the engine off. That lets it air out and dry out.

 

[EvergreenZ71]

definitely check your cabin filter.
then run by dealer & have them check the status of "afterblow" feature in your ECM. have them enable it , if it is not.

Ditto on this.
I just had my local dealer do this to both my 2009 Tahoe LTZ & my 2010 Sub 2500. Wife’s 2006 Envoy is getting it next.