NHTSA ID Number: 10134600
Manufacturer Communication Number: PI1408E
Summary
This preliminary informational bulletin provides a procedure to install a ionizer, clean evaporator and inspect the drain tube on vehicles that exhibit a condition of a musty odor from the HVAC vents on start up.
This preliminary informational bulletin provides a revision of PI1408C to update information under the Ionizer Kit Installation and remove the Note in the Parts Infomation.
This PI provides a procedure to install an ionizer kit to reduce a musty odor condition.
7 Affected Products
Vehicles
Parts
| FILTER, PASS COMPT CARBON AIR | 13356914
Sale
ACDelco GM Original Equipment Cabin Air Filter CF184 | GM 13356914 OE Car Air Filters for Select Chevy, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, GMC, Hummer, and more
Last update on 2026-06-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API |
| APPLICATOR TOOL | 23372329 |
| BODY PLUG | 15632415
GM Genuine Parts 15632415 Multi-Purpose Plug
Last update on 2026-06-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API |
| IONIZER KIT | 23328151 |
| OXYVAP EVAPORATOR SANITIZER (Quantity of 4) | 534-60646 |
Bulletin No.: PI1408E
Date: Oct-2017
Bulletin No.: PI1408D
Date: Feb-2017
Bulletin No.: PI1408C
Date: Jan-2016
Bulletin No.: PI1408B
Date: Nov-2015
Bulletin No.: PI1408A
Date: Jul-2015
Bulletin No.: PI1408
Date: Jun-2015
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- ECO-FRIENDLY - Car smoke odor eliminator. Clobombs Leaves no harmful residues. No clean up required. Remove all bad car smell fast!
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- CHARCOAL DEODORIZER BAGS WITH HOOKS. Our 3.5oz bamboo charcoal bag musty smell eliminators are the perfect size to place wherever you have a bad smell: closet, car, shoes, gym bag, basement, pet areas.
- NATURAL NON-TOXIC ODOR ELIMINATION. Our charcoal odor absorbers for home contain highly porous activated bamboo charcoal which binds to and removes bad smells.
- ODOR ELIMINATOR FOR CAR. Pop a couple of our charcoal odor absorbers for car in your vehicle. After a few days these car deodorizers will have your ride smelling sweet! Use more car odor removers for bigger cars.
- CLOSET ODOR ABSORBER AND ELIMINATOR. Add one of these closet odor eliminators to your closets or drawers to eliminate musty smells and mothball.
- MUSTY BASEMENT ODOR ELIMINATOR. Place several basement musty odor eliminators around the room to get rid of old smells and damp.
- Includes one, 17 ounce Amazon Basics Gel Odor Eliminator
- Fragrance free with unscented activated charcoal
- Great for closets, bathrooms, laundry rooms, garages, basements, and lockers
- Alexa voice shopping enabled: to place your next order, just say, “Alexa, reorder Amazon Basics Gel Odor Eliminator.”
- WHOLE CAR AIR REFRESHER: This convenient car air freshener mist combats strong vehicle odours while infusing your cabin with a refreshing and luxurious scent. It works great at fighting smells like cigarette smoke, food odors, workout gear and more
- ONE-TIME USE: Refreshing your car's interior is as easy as a simple one-time-use aerosol. Our odor fighting chemistry works great on a molecular level at combating smells like cigarette smoke, wet dog, work-out gear, and more.
- COMPLETE REFRESH: This car air freshener for car interiors moves through the ventilation system, across the headliner, and in between hard-to-reach areas. This ensures that tough smells are taken care of in every inch of your car's interior
- EASY-TO-USE: Using these car air fresheners is easy. Just set the AC to high, hit the recirculate button, activate the Re-Fresher, and close the doors for 10-15 minutes. After that, open the doors and let it air out for another 10-15 minutes.
- SUMMER BREEZE SCENT: This air-refresher leaves behind our signature Summer Breeze scent aroma that's sure to make your ride smell as good as it looks. This long-lasting scent is for anyone who simply wants a fresh and clean-smelling car every day.
- THE ANYWHERE ODOR ELIMINATOR: OZIUM gel eliminates stubborn smoke odors and tackles other offensive everyday smells found in bathrooms, kitchens, trash cans and more.
- GREAT FOR ELIMINATING ODOR IN LARGE SPACES: OZIUM 8oz odor eliminating gel eliminates unpleasant odors in larger spaces, like kitchens, offices, garages and more.
Last update on 2026-05-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This product presentation was made with AAWP plugin.
SEOCONTENT-START
Bulletin No.: PI1408E
Date: Oct-2017
Subject: Musty Odor from HVAC Vents on Startup
Models: 2013-2016 Cadillac
ATS
2014-2016 Cadillac CTS Sedan (VIN A)
Attention: This PI also applies to any of the above models that may be Export from North America vehicles.
This PI has been revised to add the 2016 Model Year. Please discard PI1408D.
Condition/Concern
Some customers may comment on a musty or mildew odor coming from the HVAC instrument panel air outlet vents on startup. The odor most likely will dissipate after 30-60 seconds of operation. The odor generally occurs after the vehicle has been parked for 2–6 hours with sun load with temperatures of 21°C (70°F) or higher.
This may be caused by condensation building up on the evaporator core, which does not evaporate by itself in humid conditions. The odor may be the result of microbial growth on the evaporator core being released into the air stream by the HVAC blower motor.
Recommendation/Instructions
Follow all the steps below to reduce the HVAC musty odor:
Install the latest HVAC Control Module calibration and enable After-blow
Refer to Tis2Web and SI Procedures for enabling after-blow.
For 2013 ATS’s built prior to VIN 1G6AH5RX0D0142531, refer to the latest version of PIC5730: Enabling After-blow.
Drain Tube Inspection
1. Verify that the plenum area is free of any debris.
2. Inspect the drain assembly for the presence of a white or light blue plastic drain tube using the latest version of PI1160. If the secondary tube is present, replace the drain hose assembly.
Apply Oxyvap Cleaning Agent
1. Place the passenger seat in the full rearward position.
2. Disable the SIR. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling in SI.
3. Remove the instrument panel compartment. Refer to Instrument Panel Compartment Replacement in SI.
4. Remove the front floor console extension panel – right side. Refer to Front Floor Console Extension Panel Replacement – Right Side in SI.
5. Remove the right front side door sill trim plate. Refer to Front Side Door Sill Trim Plate Replacement in SI.
6. Remove the floor front air outlet duct – right side. Refer to Floor Front Air Outlet Duct Replacement – Right Side in SI.
7. Remove the blower motor. Refer to Blower Motor Replacement in SI.
8. Pull back the carpet and roll it back towards the passenger seat.
9. On the lower HVAC case, scribe an “X” in the area shown.
10. Drill a 3 mm (1/8”) pilot hole in the middle of the “X.”
11. Drill a 19 mm (3/4″) hole in the center of the air duct between the blower motor and the air distribution box. The use of a Uni-bit style bit works well. The use of a spade bit will produce excessive plastic chips and may cause the drain to get plugged.
Note: Use a vacuum to collect as many of the plastic chips inside and outside the HVAC case as possible. The blower motor removed helps gain access to the inside of the HVAC case.
12. Using the supplied ionizer bracket as a template, drill a 1/8” pilot hole as shown. Remove the bracket. It will be used at step 18 of the Ionizer Installation.
Note: Some HVAC cases may or may not have the shown case mounting bolt. If the case does not have one, use the supplied bolt in the ionizer kit to mount the bracket.
13. Using a 12.7 mm (1/2”) drill bit, drill the ionizer mounting hole.
Important: The use of a Uni-bit style bit works well. The use of a spade bit will produce excessive plastic chips and may cause the drain to get plugged.
Important: Remove all of the plastic flash around the ½” hole. Reach in through the blower motor area and use a mirror and/or feel to ensure that there is no plastic flash around the hole on the inside wall of the case.
Note: Use a vacuum to collect as many of the plastic chips as possible. The blower motor removed helps gain access to the inside of the HVAC case.
14. Reinstall the blower motor. Refer to Refer to Blower Motor Replacement in SI.
15. Connect the battery.
16. Close the face vents on the dash as well as the vents on the rear of the center console. Place a protective cover over the carpet under the blower to air distribution box duct and over the HVAC face (upper) vents. Set the HVAC temperature control to LO, air distribution to vent mode and blower speed to high (A/C off).
17. Insert the application tool into the drilled hole. Apply OxyVap™ at 65 psi (448 kPa).
• Apply the OxyVap to the evaporator core using applicator tool P/N 23372329. Move the wand up and down to obtain good coverage to the fin area. Turn the HVAC system to off.
• Allow the core to soak for 5 minutes.
• Rinse the empty bottle of OxyVap and fill with clean water. Rinse the evaporator core moving the applicator tool up and down with clean water until the bottle is empty with the blower turned on “High.”
• Using the applicator tool, blow compressed air on the evaporator core for one minute moving the applicator tool up and down to help remove excess water.
• Install the body plug, P/N 15632415, into the 19 mm (3/4”) hole with a thin coating of RTV.
Ionizer Kit Installation
1. Wire Harness
2. 3M Dual Lock Mounting Strip
3. 3M Adhesion Promoter
4. Splice Sleeves
5. Ionizer Controller
6. Ionizer Bracket
7. Ionizer Emitter
8. Double Sided Adhesive Gasket
1. Disconnect the battery and any connected battery charger.
2. On the supplied wire harness, cut wire (3) from the connector. Wire (1) is power and wire (2) is for ground.
3. Remove the friction tape from the instrument panel harness to gain access to the wires.
4. Locate the violet/gray wire (circuit 539, K33 HVAC Control Module X2) in the instrument panel harness for power as shown and cut the wire.
Note: Within the same harness, there is a violet/white wire. Use caution to select the correct wire.
5. Using the supplied splice sleeves, crimp wire 1 from the supplied wire harness to the violet I/P harness and connect the other end of the violet wire to the connector.
Note: Stagger the crimps from the supplied wire harness to the instrument panel harness.
6. Locate the black wire (circuit 1450, K33 HVAC Control Module X2) in the instrument panel harness for ground and cut the wire.
7. Using the supplied splice sleeves, crimp wire 2 from the supplied wire harness to the black I/P harness and connect the other end of the black wire to the connector.
8. Apply heat to the splice sleeves to seal them.
9. Rewrap the I/P harness with the friction tape and seal with electrical tape.
10. Route the supplied wire harness (connector end) up towards the radio.
11. Connect the battery.
12. With ignition on, check for 12 volts at the Ionizer connector of the wire harness before connecting to the ionizer controller. (The Ionizer has no telltale signs that it is operational.) Also see item #31 for operational checks after installation.
13. Connect the supplied wire harness to the ionizer controller.
14. Clean the ionizer controller and the surface of the radio with the supplied adhesion promoter and let dry.
15. Apply the supplied 3M dual lock mounting strip to the ionizer controller as shown.
16. Peel the backing from the other mounting strip and apply the ionizer controller firmly to the radio.
17. Remove and discard the protective sleeve from the ionizer emitter.
Caution: When handing and installing the ionizer emitter, use care to not touch or otherwise damage the two tiny metal prongs located between the protruding plastic protectors. The Ions are produced by the metal prongs.
18. Before installing, remove the green foam seal and snip off the “ears” from the ionizer as shown.
19. Install the supplied gasket to the ionizer emitter.
20. Using tin snips or equivalent, trim the mounting bracket as shown.
21. Install the ionizer emitter to the HVAC case. The adhesive from the gasket will hold it in place until the bracket can be installed.
22. Install the ionizer emitter bracket to the HVAC case with the supplied or existing screw.
Tighten: Tighten the screw to 9 Nm (79 lb in).
23. With the supplied tie straps, secure the wiring harness in place.
24. Place the carpet back in place.
25. Install the floor front air outlet duct – right side. Refer to Floor Front Air Outlet Duct Replacement – Right Side in SI.
26. Remove and install a new passenger cabin compartment carbon air filter.
27. Install the instrument panel compartment. Refer to Instrument Panel Compartment Replacement in SI.
28. Install the front floor console extension panel – right side. Refer to Front Floor Console Extension Panel Replacement – Right Side in SI.
29. Install the front side door sill trim plate. Refer to Front Side Door Sill Trim Plate Replacement in SI.
30. Enable the SIR. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling in SI.
Note: Check the ionizer for operation. There should be B+ available at the ionizer power supply (white wire terminal 1) with the HVAC system operating and the blower motor turned on. Also check the amp draw of the ionizer at the B+ available at the ionizer power supply (white wire terminal 1). Amp draw should be .03 +/- .005 amps.
31. If the condition is still present, and the musty odor condition has been verified, the evaporator core should be replaced. Part number 23375992 should be installed.
Note: Do not apply any coatings to the replacement evaporator.
Parts Information
Part Number Description Material Allowance
13356914 FILTER, PASS COMPT CARBON AIR –
23372329* APPLICATOR TOOL –
15632415 BODY PLUG –
23328151 IONIZER KIT –
534–60646** OXYVAP EVAPORATOR SANITIZER (Quantity of 4) Dealers should submit
$15.00 plus applicable
shipping as a net item.
*The Applicator Tool is reusable and does not need to be ordered for additional repairs.
**Available through GM Dealer Equipment (1-844-742-8471) or by visiting www.GMDEsolutions.com.
Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under the Bumper-to-Bumper coverage (Canada Base Warranty coverage), use the following labor operation. Reference the Applicable Warranties section of Investigate Vehicle History (IVH) for coverage information.
Labor Operation Description Labor Time
4480308* Inspect Drain Tube, Clean Evaporator and Install Ionizer 2.8 hrs
Add Replace Evaporator Core 9.0 hrs
(ATS)
8.7 hrs
(CTS)
*This is a unique Labor Operation for Bulletin use only.
| Subject: | Musty Odor from HVAC Vents on Startup |
| Models: | 2013-2015 Cadillac ATS |
| 2014-2015 Cadillac CTS Sedan (VIN A) |
Condition/Concern
Some customers may comment on a musty or mildew odor coming from the HVAC instrument panel air outlet vents on startup. The odor most likely will dissipate after 30-60 seconds of operation. The odor generally occurs after the vehicle has been parked for 2–6 hours with sun load with temperatures of 21°C (70°F) or higher.
This may be caused by condensation building up on the evaporator core, which does not evaporate by itself in humid conditions. The odor may be the result of microbial growth on the evaporator core being released into the air stream by the HVAC blower motor.
Recommendation/Instructions
Follow all the steps below to reduce the HVAC musty odor:
Install the latest HVAC Control Module calibration and enable After-blow
Refer to Tis2Web and Service Information Procedures for enabling after-blow.
For 2013 ATS’s built prior to VIN 1G6AH5RX0D0142531, refer to the latest version of PIC5730: Enabling Afterblow.
Drain Tube Inspection
- Verify that the plenum area is free of any debris.
- Inspect the drain assembly for the presence of a white or light blue plastic drain tube using the latest version of “Water On Front Compartment Floor And/Or Musty Odor“. If the secondary tube is present, replace the drain hose assembly.
Apply Oxyvap Cleaning Agent
- Place the passenger seat in the full rearward position.
- Disable the SIR.
- Remove the instrument panel compartment.
- Remove the front floor console extension panel – right side.
- Remove the right front side door sill trim plate.
- Remove the floor front air outlet duct – right side.
- Remove the blower motor.
- Pull back the carpet and roll it back towards the passenger seat.
- On the lower HVAC case, scribe an “X” in the area shown.
- Drill a 3 mm (1/8”) pilot hole in the middle of the “X.”
- Drill a 19 mm (3/4″) hole in the center of the air duct between the blower motor and the air distribution box. The use of a Uni-bit style bit works well. The use of a spade bit will produce excessive plastic chips and may cause the drain to get plugged.
Note: Use a vacuum to collect as many of the plastic chips inside and outside the HVAC case as possible. The blower motor removed helps gain access to the inside of the HVAC case.
- Using the supplied ionizer bracket as a template, drill a 1/8” pilot hole as shown. Remove the bracket. It will be used at step 18 of the Ionizer Installation.
Note: Some HVAC cases may or may not have the shown case mounting bolt. If the case does not have one, use the supplied bolt in the ionizer kit to mount the bracket.
Important: The use of a Uni-bit style bit works well. The use of a spade bit will produce excessive plastic chips and may cause the drain to get plugged.
Important: Remove all of the plastic flash around the ½” hole. Reach in through the blower motor area and use a mirror and/or feel to ensure that there is no plastic flash around the hole on the inside wall of the case.
Note: Use a vacuum to collect as many of the plastic chips as possible. The blower motor removed helps gain access to the inside of the HVAC case.
- Reinstall the blower motor.
- Connect the battery.
- Close the face vents on the dash as well as the vents on the rear of the center console. Place a protective cover over the carpet under the blower to air distribution box duct and over the HVAC face (upper) vents. Set the HVAC temperature control to LO, air distribution to vent mode and blower speed to high (A/C off).
- Insert the application tool into the drilled hole. Apply OxyVap at 65 psi (448 kPa).
- Apply the OxyVap to the evaporator core using applicator tool P/N 23372329. Move the wand up and down to obtain good coverage to the fin area. Turn the HVAC system to off.
- Allow the core to soak for 5 minutes.
- Rinse the empty bottle of OxyVap and fill with clean water. Rinse the evaporator core moving the applicator tool up and down with clean water until the bottle is empty with the blower turned on “High.”
- Using the applicator tool, blow compressed air on the evaporator core for one minute moving the applicator tool up and down to help remove excess water.
- Install the body plug, P/N 15632415, into the 19 mm (3/4”) hole with a thin coating of RTV.
Ionizer Kit Installation
| (1) | Wire Harness |
| (2) | 3M Dual Lock Mounting Strip |
| (3) | 3M Adhesion Promoter |
| (4) | Splice Sleeves |
| (5) | Ionizer Controller |
| (6) | Ionizer Bracket |
| (7) | Ionizer Emitter |
| (8) | Double Sided Adhesive Gasket |
- Disconnect the battery and any connected battery charger.
- On the supplied wire harness, cut wire (3) from the connector. Wire (1) is power and wire (2) is for ground.
- Remove the friction tape from the instrument panel harness to gain access to the wires.
- Locate the violet/gray wire (circuit 539, K33 HVAC Control Module X2) in the instrument panel harness for power as shown and cut the wire.
Note: Within the same harness, there is a violet/white wire. Use caution to select the correct wire.
- Using the supplied splice sleeves, crimp wire 1 from the supplied wire harness to the violet I/P harness and connect the other end of the violet wire to the connector.
Note: Stagger the crimps from the supplied wire harness to the instrument panel harness.
- Locate the black wire (circuit 1450, K33 HVAC Control Module X2) in the instrument panel harness for ground and cut the wire.
- Using the supplied splice sleeves, crimp wire 2 from the supplied wire harness to the black I/P harness and connect the other end of the black wire to the connector.
- Apply heat to the splice sleeves to seal them.
- Rewrap the I/P harness with the friction tape and seal with electrical tape.
- Route the supplied wire harness (connector end) up towards the radio.
- Connect the battery.
- With ignition on, check for 12 volts at the Ionizer connector of the wire harness before connecting to the ionizer controller. (The Ionizer has no telltale signs that it is operational.)
- Connect the supplied wire harness to the ionizer controller.
- Clean the ionizer controller and the surface of the radio with the supplied adhesion promoter and let dry.
- Apply the suppled 3M dual lock mounting strip to the ionizer controller as shown.
- Peel the backing from the other mounting strip and apply the ionizer controller firmly to the radio.
- Remove and discard the protective sleeve from the ionizer emitter.
Caution: When handing and installing the ionizer emitter, use care to not touch or otherwise damage the two tiny metal prongs located between the protruding plastic protectors. The Ions are produced by the metal prongs.
- Before installing, remove the green foam seal and snip off the “ears” from the ionizer as shown.
- Install the supplied gasket to the ionizer emitter.
- Using tin snips or equivalent, trim the mounting bracket as shown.
- Install the ionizer emitter to the HVAC case. The adhesive from the gasket will hold it in place until the bracket can be installed.
- Install the ionizer emitter bracket to the HVAC case with the supplied or existing screw.
Tighten
Tighten the screw to 9 Nm (79 lb in).
- With the supplied tie straps, secure the wiring harness in place.
- Place the carpet back in place.
- Install the floor front air outlet duct – right side. Refer to Floor Front Air Outlet Duct
Replacement – Right Side in SI. - Remove and install a new passenger cabin compartment carbon air filter.
- Install the instrument panel compartment. Refer to Instrument Panel Compartment
Replacement in SI. - Install the front floor console extension panel – right side. Refer to Front Floor Console
Extension Panel Replacement – Right Side in SI. - Install the front side door sill trim plate. Refer to Front Side Door Sill Trim Plate Replacement
in SI. - Enable the SIR. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling in SI.
- If the condition is still present, and the musty odor condition has been verified, the evaporator core should be replaced. Part number 23375992 should be installed.
Note: Do not apply any coatings to the replacement evaporator.
Parts Information
| Part Number | Description |
| 13356914
Sale
ACDelco GM Original Equipment Cabin Air Filter CF184 | GM 13356914 OE Car Air Filters for Select Chevy, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, GMC, Hummer, and more
Last update on 2026-06-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API |
FILTER, PASS COMPT CARBON AIR |
| 23372329 | APPLICATOR TOOL* |
| 15632415
GM Genuine Parts 15632415 Multi-Purpose Plug
Last update on 2026-06-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API |
BODY PLUG |
| 23328151 | IONIZER KIT
Note: Ionizer Kits are currently in limited supply. This kit will be on order review and all DROs (Daily Replenishment Orders) will cancel. If determined that this part is needed for this field fix, order part on a CSO (Customer Special Order) and create a SPAC case. SPAC orders will be processed in the order received. All orders will be reviewed prior to being filled. Duplicate VIN orders will cancel. |
| 534-60646 | OXYVAP EVAPORATOR SANITIZER (Quantity of 4)** |
| *The Applicator Tool is reusable and does not need to be ordered for additional repairs. | |
| **Available through 1-800-GM-TOOLS (option 2) or by visiting www.GMDEsolutions.com (U.S.) or www.des-canada.ca (Canada). |
|
Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under the Bumper-to-Bumper coverage (Canada Base Warranty coverage), use the following labor operation. Reference the Applicable Warranties section of Investigate Vehicle History (IVH) for coverage information.
| Labor Operation | Description | Labor Time |
| 4480308* | Inspect Drain Tube, Clean Evaporator and Install Ionizer | 2.8 hrs |
| Add | Replace Evaporator Core | 9.0 hrs
(ATS) |
| 8.7 hrs
(CTS) |
||
| *This is a unique Labor Operation for Bulletin use only. It will not be published in the Labor Time Guide. | ||
SEOCONTENT-END