How to clean AC? (Dealers refused to apply AC Refresher Kit)

Have you tried putting the heater on full fan, full heat to dry the system out ?
It has worked for me in the past with other cars, not had a smelly AC with this one yet.
Another option is an aerosol cleaner that you put in the foot well with the AC running, to kill off the bacteria.

 

Get out your warranty book and call Toyota directly.
I think those two dealers are giving you BAD information.
Seems like I remember that my dealer tried to talk me INTO doing the treatment on mine.

 

It's also worth pulling out any floor mats you have and giving them a good clean and maybe shampooing the carpet, sometimes the smell can emanate from there.

 

Air conditioning works by running the air coming into the cabin through a chilled radiator. Look at a glass of icewater on a hot day: it's coated with condensation. The same thing happens with the car's A/C.

If you run the A/C near constantly, and in particular run it right up until shut down, you're regularly leaving the car sitting, with a lot of moisture in there. And eventually stuff starts to grow.

If and when you get it cleaned out I'd recommend:

1. Changing your usage somewhat, just go without A/C when practical, in particular for short trips where it's maybe not going to be that effective. Roll the windows down.

2. When running A/C, turn it off a mile or two before your destination, but keep the fan running. This'll give the humidity/condensation in the system more time to dissipate.

 

I have applied both these suggestions myself.

I sometimes do a "Lawrence of Arabia" drive, where I crank the heat up, set the vent to recirculate, yell.."Nothing is Written!" and regardless of outside temperature drive the car letting the whole system heat up. I too, have never had a mold problem. BUT...
I don't know if it really has a connection to doing this...can't prove it. I just think it's fun. It's like driving a sweat lodge, while looking for your spirit animal.

Also, I do think this is possibly a much more preventative measure. Once you have mold or mildew in the system? Don't know if you could generate enough heat to really remove the problem. I think this is possibly drying the system out in more of a preventative action.

I also do this. Again...can't prove it's working..but I haven't ever had a problem. And again, don't know how much this helps once Mold or Mildew has actually grown in the system.

And finally, I have to admit as I age, my sense of smell is deteriorating. I think a skunk could pass away in my air intake duct, and I might not notice it until black and white hairs start blowing out the vents.

So...maybe I should just recuse myself from any further advice.

 

Oh hell, you made my day