TSB 14-0099, 2013-2014 MKZ, Musty Odor from A/C Vents

[SteveB_TX]

For those of you with this problem...  :)

 

 

TSB 14-0099
 
FORD:
2013-2014 Fusion
LINCOLN:
2013-2014 MKZ

ISSUE
Some 2013-2014 Fusion and MKZ vehicles built on or before 2/24/2014 may exhibit a musty or organic-type odor from the
front vents when air conditioning (A/C) is activated.

ACTION
Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
1. Replace the Climate Control Housing. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 412-00.
a. Transfer the components from the old housing to the new housing as needed.
PART NUMBER PART NAME
EG9Z-19B555-C Climate Control Housing - Manual Air Conditioning
EG9Z-19B555-D Climate Control Housing - Dual Zone Auto Temp Control
W714878-S439 Steering Column Shaft-To-Steering Column Pinch Bolt
OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME
140099A 2013-2014 Fusion: Replace The Climate Control Housing (Do Not Use
With Any Other Labor Operations)
6.0 Hrs.
140099A 2013-2014 Fusion Hybrid: Replace The Climate Control Housing (Do
Not Use With Any Other Labor Operations)
6.6 Hrs.
140099A 2013-2014 Fusion Hybrid Plug In: Replace The Climate Control
Housing (Do Not Use With Any Other Labor Operations)
6.8 Hrs.
140099A 2013-2014 MKZ: Replace The Climate Control Housing (Do Not Use
With Any Other Labor Operations)
7.4 Hrs.
140099A 2013-2014 MKZ Hybrid: Replace The Climate Control Housing (Do Not
Use With Any Other Labor Operations)
7.7 Hrs.
WARRANTY STATUS:
Eligible Under Provisions Of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Coverage
Warranty/ESP coverage limits/policies/prior approvals are not altered by a TSB. Warranty/ESP coverage limits are
determined by the identified causal part and verified using the OASIS part coverage tool.
DEALER CODING
BASIC PART NO. CONDITION CODE
19B555 42
MUSTY ODOR FROM A/C VENT ON INITIAL START UP - BUILT ON OR
BEFORE 2/24/2014 TSB 14-0099
NOTE: The information contained in Technical Service Bulletins is intended for use by trained, professional technicians with the knowledge, tools, and equipment to do the job
properly and safely. It informs these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or provides information that could assist in proper vehicle service.The
procedures should not be performed by "do-it-yourselfers". Do not assume that a condition described affects your car or truck. Contact a Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury dealership
to determine whether the bulletin applies to your vehicle. Warranty Policy and Extended Service Plan documentation determine Warranty and/or Extended Service Plan
coverage unless stated otherwise in the TSB article.The information in this Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) was current at the time of printing. Ford Motor Company reserves
the right to supercede this information with updates.The most recent information is available through Ford Motor Company's on-line technical resources.
Copyright © 2014 Ford Motor Company Online Publication Date May 5, 2014

 

[robertlane]

Looks like a time consuming operation.

[Tucker]

Wow lots of info

[hermans]

Steve, are any of your cars inflicted with this. So far, neither of mine have the issue.

[SteveB_TX]

Nope Hermans.  Neither of them have this issue.  <keeping fingers crossed>  :)

[Robert Iggy Cerami]

Well I can say that my 15  (3597 miles) has starting to have the moldy funky smell coming from the AC vents same as my 13.. It is not as strong YET but it is starting... This time I stopped by my dealer in the middle  day (going through a record heat wave these past few days)  with the AC on.. I kept my car running had my service guy get in the car turned off AC and set the fan on high it started to smell.. Also turned AC back on and the smell got worse and he was there to smell it.... Last time when I brought in my 13 they could not duplicate the problem so they did nothing about it... Will not be the case this time... I am going to drop it off on Friday... The other problem is that the TSB 14-0099 is only for 13-14 models and not the 15 :drool: We will see what happens 

Edited March 16, 2015 by Robert Iggy Cerami

[Arthurcald]

Well, I have to say I'm not happy having found this topic, and the reason is because i just got back from the dealer because of the same problem, and they just told me to open the dampers to get air from the outside and spray lysol on the outside intake grilles and as far as they concern that will fix the problem. They said that is because of the high humidity ( I live in Florida) and it is normal, so the lysol will kill the bacteria that is causing the bad musty odor. I came back home and did it and the car is now smelling like lysol but I thought that was it. After reading this report now I'm not going to sleep well until the dealer give me a more technical answer. This looks like a pretty expensive fix in parts and labor that can only be made at the dealer so I better use my warranty on this now.

[drolds1]

Well, I have to say I'm not happy having found this topic, and the reason is because i just got back from the dealer because of the same problem, and they just told me to open the dampers to get air from the outside and spray lysol on the outside intake grilles and as far as they concern that will fix the problem. They said that is because of the high humidity ( I live in Florida) and it is normal, so the lysol will kill the bacteria that is causing the bad musty odor. I came back home and did it and the car is now smelling like lysol but I thought that was it. After reading this report now I'm not going to sleep well until the dealer give me a more technical answer. This looks like a pretty expensive fix in parts and labor that can only be made at the dealer so I better use my warranty on this now.

Welcome to the forum.

 

Musty-smelling A/C a common complaint, especially in humid climates.  There are better solutions.  One of these is the use of Frigi-Fresh or Frigi-Clean, which are specifically for this problem.  There are other similar products in the first link.  

 

To prevent mold regrowth, shut off the A/C and run the fan on high for about a mile before you reach your destination. You could do also do this after you stop by running the car for a few minutes with just the fan on. This will dry out any residual moisture.

 

In order for the dealer to apply the TSB, they'll have to enter your VIN into the system to see if your car is included.  This goes for any TSB.  Note that the TSB only applies to cars built on or before 2/24/14.  What's your build date?  If your car doesn't fall into this category, you won't qualify for the TSB to be performed.  Your dealer may or may have not checked already.  You'll have to ask them that.