2017 Ram 1500 Laramie - AC Odor Issue

[tbone1976]

First-time Ram owner here. I've been running the AC in my Ram off and on for a few months now. The issue I am experiencing has just started within the past month. When I start the truck with the blower on (not the AC), there is a blast of air that smells like it is coming straight out of an ashtray. The ‘ashtray blast’ usually fades away completely after about thirty seconds to a minute.

I do smoke in the truck and have done so since I bought it in November of last year, but this has not been an issue until recently. I never run the AC recirculation mode, especially when I am smoking. Haven't noticed the recirculation mode engaging on its own or anything. Has anyone else had this issue or know what the culprit may be?

 

[SitKneelBend]

First-time Ram owner here. I've been running the AC in my Ram off and on for a few months now. The issue I am experiencing has just started within the past month. When I start the truck with the blower on (not the AC), there is a blast of air that smells like it is coming straight out of an ashtray. The ‘ashtray blast’ usually fades away completely after about thirty seconds to a minute.

I do smoke in the truck and have done so since I bought it in November of last year, but this has not been an issue until recently. I never run the AC recirculation mode, especially when I am smoking. Haven't noticed the recirculation mode engaging on its own or anything. Has anyone else had this issue or know what the culprit may be?

There is a cabin air filter behind the glovebox, replace it and it will likely correct your issue.

 

[Treburkulosis]

If for some reason yours doesn't have it, you can cut the box and add a filter and a door. I did this to mine and its made a world of difference.

 

[tbone1976]

There is a cabin air filter behind the glovebox, replace it and it will likely correct your issue.

Sorry, I failed to mention that I replaced the cabin air filter a couple of months ago. Used the WIX 24579 filter.

 

[turkeybird56]

There is a cabin air filter behind the glovebox, replace it and it will likely correct your issue.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ DITTO ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

MAYBE YOU CAN REPLACE WITH A FRAM FRESH BREEZE FILTER, MAYBE THAT HELP. Unless some water got down in there and the filter box has mold growing in there. That would be a shot in the dark...

 

[tbone1976]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ DITTO ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

MAYBE YOU CAN REPLACE WITH A FRAM FRESH BREEZE FILTER, MAYBE THAT HELP. Unless some water got down in there and the filter box has mold growing in there. That would be a shot in the dark...

Alright, went to every auto parts store in town and none of them had the Fram Fresh Breeze filter. Ending up going with a K&N filter. I did notice when I pulled the old one out, it looked like it had been in there for a year (though it has only been in there a couple of months). That being the case, I am fairly confident that will resolve the issue. Just didn't think that filter would have already needed replacing.

 

[British Bulldog]

My wife persuaded me to put a couple drops of Lavender oil on her cabin filter in her Rav which always smells of rancid dog. It helped!
A COUPLE not soak it mind.

 

[tbone1976]

I'll have to keep that in mind moving forward. I grabbed some Ozium as well, but am not going to use it until I determine if the filter change resolves the problem.

 

[turkeybird56]

Alright, went to every auto parts store in town and none of them had the Fram Fresh Breeze filter. Ending up going with a K&N filter. I did notice when I pulled the old one out, it looked like it had been in there for a year (though it has only been in there a couple of months). That being the case, I am fairly confident that will resolve the issue. Just didn't think that filter would have already needed replacing.

U can get that FRAM at, ta dah, Wally World

 

[tbone1976]

U can get that FRAM at, ta dah, Wally World

Yep…you can indeed. But I haven’t been to a WalMart in nearly twenty years. Not breaking the ‘streak’ for a filter.

 

[GTyankee]

I use a Charcoal Cabin Air Filter & i used to smoke up until May 2021

I also bought some pouches of Bamboo Charcoal, for my apartment & the Ram, Places like auto parts stores, home depot, wally world carries them, they refresh when laid out in the sun

Google Search

www.google.com

 

[turkeybird56]

Yep…you can indeed. But I haven’t been to a WalMart in nearly twenty years. Not breaking the ‘streak’ for a filter.

Order online??? lol...

 

[Hellcatsrock]

Does a 2015 have a cabin air filter? Mine reeks occasionally but I have never read of it having a cabin air filter.

 

[SitKneelBend]

Does a 2015 have a cabin air filter? Mine reeks occasionally but I have never read of it having a cabin air filter.

Its possible. I believe the factory started equipping them in 2016, but if yours was bought used its an easy (and common) mod...

 

[Logic951]

Is this equipped on a 2014? Mine recently starting smelling faintly of u.r.i.n.e. I typed that word out and it got censored

If not, anyone got links to videos on where to cut?

 

[SitKneelBend]

Is this equipped on a 2014? Mine recently starting smelling faintly of u.r.i.n.e. I typed that word out and it got censored

If not, anyone got links to videos on where to cut?

No, you will need to add it. I use a washable K&N filter to which you can also add scents as an air freshener...

 

[Logic951]

Is there a video on how to do this? Which k&n filter?

 

[SitKneelBend]

Is there a video on how to do this? Which k&n filter?

K&N VF2013 Cabin Air Filter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NEL75GO?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

2010-2016 Ram truck cabin air filter kit from genosgarage.com

Please use the following link when ever using Amazon.com. Any purchases you make on Amazon will help support this channel.http://amzn.to/2mALgqSFeel the need...

youtu.be

 

[ricky_bobby]

Not smoking in the truck may help it -

Ozium works great, and I use it in my non-smoking vehicles just to 'freshen up' the inside air, usually when I'm done with interior detailing I just spray a few mists inside, close the doors and let it be

If you can, spray some Lysol in the cabin air intake (usually pulled from the engine bay area) if the cabin filter is fresh, or with the filter out, and hit recirculate, and let the AC run, you may need to do it several times, the thought is to disinfect all the AC intake vents slightly and that might help - after a few hits of Lysol do the same thing with Ozium -

If it still lingers after that, look into an ozone treatment with a local detailer, and maybe switch to vaping inside the truck