Strange Smell from the Dashboard After Turning the Heater/AC On
You turn on the heater or air conditioning and then catch a whiff of something funny coming from behind the dashboard. It may smell stale, sweet, scorched, or even like gasoline. While some odours are insignificant, other odours may indicate an issue that should not be overlooked.
The odour can originate from the climate control filter, evaporator, heater system, or another area of the vehicle. Also, if there are doubts about whether this work is conducted in a service station that deals with vehicles powered by LPG. LPG vehicle servicing can tell if the smell is from your fuel system or from the ventilation system.
Musty or Damp Smell
One of the air conditioning system smells is musty. Around the evaporator moisture can accumulate, leading to an ideal breeding ground for mould and bacteria.
The problem can worsen with a dirty cabin air filter too. Change the filter and clean your ventilation system.
If the odour is only present when the AC first starts, then possible moisture or contaminants in your AC ventilation system may need to be examined.
Sweet Smell from the Heater
A sweet or syrup smell could mean a coolant leak. Sometimes the heater system which uses engine coolant to produce warm air can cause a leak that allows some coolant vapour or odour into the cabin.
You may also notice:
- Fog inside the windscreen
- Dampness around the passenger footwell
- A falling coolant level
- An overheating engine
Do not ignore these signs. If left relying, a coolant leak can be serious as it causes the engine to overheat.
Burning or Electrical Smell
Burning odour must be taken seriously. That could be due to an electrical part, wiring, blower motor, or a piece of debris that became wedged against something hot.
When the odour becomes stronger, or is really pungent, switch off the heating unit in addition to air conditioner. If you see smoke, immediately stop the vehicle to reduce potential damage and have your car checked by a certified mechanic.
Using the vehicle with potential electrical failure would pose a serious safety issue.
Could It Be an LPG Smell?
The smell of fuel in an LPG vehicle should never be ignored. LPG has a special smell that is put in so you can identify leaks.
Do not smoke or light an open flame if you smell gas in or near the vehicle. Avoid ignitions sources and have the car either inspected by a professional.
Routine LPG vehicle servicing can prevent the leaks, worn components, and other problems from becoming more serious.
Why the Smell is Only Present When the AC is On?
That ventilation system can pull in air around the engine bay and cabin. An odour which is already present can be sucked into the passenger compartment as soon as the fan switches on.
It does not mean that the AC itself is necessarily bad. The source may be external to the cabin air system.
A ventilation mechanic in Narre Warren can check the ventilation components, filters, and coolant system of other sources of the smell.
When to Have It Tested
If the smell persistently comes back, gets stronger, or is present with other symptoms, have it investigated.
If you see the following, seek help as soon as possible:
- Fuel or LPG odour
- Smoke
- Burning plastic smell
- Engine overheating
- Coolant leaking
- Electrical problems
You could get a mechanic in Narre Warren to find out what is causing the smell, not just plug in an air freshener.
Final Thoughts
There are many causes for a weird dashboard smell. They range but some are easy like a bad cabin filter. Some may have to do with coolant, electrical, or LPG.
Notice when you smell it and what it smells like. If you are unable to determine the source, having a professional inspect the area is the safest and best route forward. A standard LPG vehicle servicing and normal automobile upkeep may trap issues before they turn out to be a costly repair bill.
