a few questions?
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Joined: Sep 2013
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From: maryland
a few questions?
so i've got a few questions that you may or may not be able to help me out with.
1 - when my AC is on, it has a funny smell to it. it doesn't smell bad like dead animals or anything, but it's got a stale-ish smell almost. what's happening and how do i fix it?
2 - all of a sudden my radio stations are coming in fuzzy. is this due to damage to the antennae or possibly just my area? i usually get all the stations i listen to in (except for one) clearly and it's only been happening in the past few weeks. any ideas?
3 - i accidentally broke off the tip to an aux cable in the jack in the center panel. the dealership wanted to charge me almost 200 bucks cause they said i have to replace the whole thing. i know they just try to take your money and make you buy stupid shit you don't need, so is there any way i can get around spending that much just to listen to music?
thanks in advance for any of you that provide input!!
1 - when my AC is on, it has a funny smell to it. it doesn't smell bad like dead animals or anything, but it's got a stale-ish smell almost. what's happening and how do i fix it?
2 - all of a sudden my radio stations are coming in fuzzy. is this due to damage to the antennae or possibly just my area? i usually get all the stations i listen to in (except for one) clearly and it's only been happening in the past few weeks. any ideas?
3 - i accidentally broke off the tip to an aux cable in the jack in the center panel. the dealership wanted to charge me almost 200 bucks cause they said i have to replace the whole thing. i know they just try to take your money and make you buy stupid shit you don't need, so is there any way i can get around spending that much just to listen to music?
thanks in advance for any of you that provide input!!
I guess that no one else wants to answer you. For the A/C odor, replace your cabin air filter once a year or so (it is behind the glove box- see DIY threads n the forums and buy from parts stores, Amazon, or eBaymotors.com).. Can't guess about radio reception in your area- probably not the car's fault. Can you use small needle nose pliers to remove the broken cable plug? If so, be more careful in the future. If not, the repair costs will be a great reminder about that mistake in the future. Good luck!
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From: maryland
I guess that no one else wants to answer you. For the A/C odor, replace your cabin air filter once a year or so (it is behind the glove box- see DIY threads n the forums and buy from parts stores, Amazon, or eBaymotors.com).. Can't guess about radio reception in your area- probably not the car's fault. Can you use small needle nose pliers to remove the broken cable plug? If so, be more careful in the future. If not, the repair costs will be a great reminder about that mistake in the future. Good luck!
thanks! the hole is suuuuuuper small and i haven't found a pair of tweezers or pliers small enough. i'll keep looking though. the dealership told me i needed a new cabin air filter but then a friend said to me "do you have a filter for when your windows are down?" but i guess if the filter is nasty then it will make that smell :/
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,500
From: New York
If changing the filter doesn't help, an auto parts store may have a can of duct cleaner/AC spray for under ten bucks- you spray it into the vents and also the air intake while running the fan/AC. I did it and it pretty much took care of the smell.
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Joined: Sep 2013
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From: maryland
thanks, i'll look into that. do you think i should try that first and if it doesn't work then go ahead with the new filter?
Decades ago I worked in the city of Vernon, CA, where there were several rendering plants as well as Cal Can Foods (pet food factory). On any summer day, you could smell Vernon from ten miles away, and could not breathe outdoors for more than about 1-1/2 minutes without gagging. Replace the filter., even though you don't live in Vernon.
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From: maryland
All Fits need new cabin air filters periodically. This is mentioned in your service schedule. Filter replacement frequency may depend on the air where you live.
Decades ago I worked in the city of Vernon, CA, where there were several rendering plants as well as Cal Can Foods (pet food factory). On any summer day, you could smell Vernon from ten miles away, and could not breathe outdoors for more than about 1-1/2 minutes without gagging. Replace the filter., even though you don't live in Vernon.
Decades ago I worked in the city of Vernon, CA, where there were several rendering plants as well as Cal Can Foods (pet food factory). On any summer day, you could smell Vernon from ten miles away, and could not breathe outdoors for more than about 1-1/2 minutes without gagging. Replace the filter., even though you don't live in Vernon.
lol okay thank you. will do!
Ever since Family Guy every time I hear the name Katie I think of this lol!
To help out:
1. Replace your cabin air filter, it's probably old and filled with dirt.
2. Could be a few things, antenna or the radio itself.
3. There should be a way to get that out, if not you can always upgrade to a new radio with better features. Might be more money, but worth it in the end. Or check the classifieds section, I'm sure someone is selling a cheap oem radio they pulled out.
To help out:
1. Replace your cabin air filter, it's probably old and filled with dirt.
2. Could be a few things, antenna or the radio itself.
3. There should be a way to get that out, if not you can always upgrade to a new radio with better features. Might be more money, but worth it in the end. Or check the classifieds section, I'm sure someone is selling a cheap oem radio they pulled out.
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Joined: Sep 2013
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From: maryland
Ever since Family Guy every time I hear the name Katie I think of this lol!
Family Guy Katie Couric - YouTube
To help out:
1. Replace your cabin air filter, it's probably old and filled with dirt.
2. Could be a few things, antenna or the radio itself.
3. There should be a way to get that out, if not you can always upgrade to a new radio with better features. Might be more money, but worth it in the end. Or check the classifieds section, I'm sure someone is selling a cheap oem radio they pulled out.
Family Guy Katie Couric - YouTube
To help out:
1. Replace your cabin air filter, it's probably old and filled with dirt.
2. Could be a few things, antenna or the radio itself.
3. There should be a way to get that out, if not you can always upgrade to a new radio with better features. Might be more money, but worth it in the end. Or check the classifieds section, I'm sure someone is selling a cheap oem radio they pulled out.
LOL@that video hahaha
i just found a post with a link to a site that shows you how to do the cabin filter myself, so i'm gonna try that out before work tomorrow. i'll post the results and let you know if i'm successful haha. but i don't think i need a new radio regarding the aux jack because mine is down on the bottom center panel and not on the front dash
Originally Posted by nobustobad
Re: HOW TO REMOVE BROKEN 3.5MM JACK FROM IPAD?
Nov 15, 2012 10:27 AM (in response to jcaltizer)
tried something different. if the broken jack piece left in the ipad still has a small post of metal showing (mine did) i took a short length of wire from a piece of 10/3 electrical wire (ground wire is bare copper) took a small soldering gun (as it heats up quickly), put some soldering flux on the end of the copper wire, heated it and put a light coating of solder on it, then put a small dab of flux on the broken jack end in the ipad, then took the copper wire, holding it with a small pliers, and rested the tip of the wire on the broken jack end in the ipad. then heated the copper wire about an inch above the ipad until just hot enough to melt the small quantity of solder on the wire which then moved down to the broken jack end. you need to hold the copper wire very still when doing this so the solder joint doesn't break. remove the heat from the wire, let the solder joint cool for a few seconds then lift out the broken jack.
Nov 15, 2012 10:27 AM (in response to jcaltizer)
tried something different. if the broken jack piece left in the ipad still has a small post of metal showing (mine did) i took a short length of wire from a piece of 10/3 electrical wire (ground wire is bare copper) took a small soldering gun (as it heats up quickly), put some soldering flux on the end of the copper wire, heated it and put a light coating of solder on it, then put a small dab of flux on the broken jack end in the ipad, then took the copper wire, holding it with a small pliers, and rested the tip of the wire on the broken jack end in the ipad. then heated the copper wire about an inch above the ipad until just hot enough to melt the small quantity of solder on the wire which then moved down to the broken jack end. you need to hold the copper wire very still when doing this so the solder joint doesn't break. remove the heat from the wire, let the solder joint cool for a few seconds then lift out the broken jack.
Oh this is good too:
I think the best easiest and cheapest way is to take an old pen ink tube. Only because not evyone has a soldering gun and you really can't find needle nose small enough to work.
Use the other end of the tube someetimes you may have to cut the end off because they put a filler in the end so the ink can not explode. Take the aux wire that broke and break off the other end the same way and hold onto that tiny peice.
Now Get the hot glue gun out and sample it on the tiny pieice while holding it with needle nose pliers. I say this only so you can see how tiny of drop of hot glue is needed.
Stick the hot glue into the opposite end of the ink tube then place the broken piece into it and hold it for 30 sec. Now try to pull it apart!
Use the other end of the tube someetimes you may have to cut the end off because they put a filler in the end so the ink can not explode. Take the aux wire that broke and break off the other end the same way and hold onto that tiny peice.
Now Get the hot glue gun out and sample it on the tiny pieice while holding it with needle nose pliers. I say this only so you can see how tiny of drop of hot glue is needed.
Stick the hot glue into the opposite end of the ink tube then place the broken piece into it and hold it for 30 sec. Now try to pull it apart!
Last edited by Wanderer.; Oct 2, 2013 at 08:34 PM.
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,199
From: Vermont, USA
Those are pretty clever methods to remove the broken plug. I'd imagine a tiny drop of superglue on the end of a wire or toothpick or something might work pretty well, too, though I've never tried any of them.
The radio reception sounds to me as though it's likely either the antenna (or the amplifier built into it) or the wire/connection leading to the radio. If it goes away in a day or so, it is possible that there's some weather-related interference, though that typically affects AM radio much, much more readily than FM radio. There are a whole bunch of other possibilities for poor radio reception, too, but none are as likely as the antenna or wire IMHO.
The radio reception sounds to me as though it's likely either the antenna (or the amplifier built into it) or the wire/connection leading to the radio. If it goes away in a day or so, it is possible that there's some weather-related interference, though that typically affects AM radio much, much more readily than FM radio. There are a whole bunch of other possibilities for poor radio reception, too, but none are as likely as the antenna or wire IMHO.
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,500
From: New York
How many miles on your car? If it's 5000 miles and six months old, it's probably not the filter. If it's 2 years and 30,000 miles, try the filter first.
Easy enough to replace the filter. If I remember right, you empty the lower glove compartment, then squeeze the sides and it drops farther down, the filter's right there...
Easy enough to replace the filter. If I remember right, you empty the lower glove compartment, then squeeze the sides and it drops farther down, the filter's right there...
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Joined: Sep 2013
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From: maryland
I can't get anything in there because it's literally the smallest thing ever though. I have absolutely no room to maneuver around :/ thanks for the suggestions though! oh and there also isnt any metal showing 
This is what I would do (stolen from Apple Forums) but I know soldering pretty well. Do any of your car friends know how to solder wires? You could probably go to a stereo shop too, they might have run into this before and have their own ingenious way or contraption to fix this problem.
Oh this is good too:
Oh this is good too:
Last edited by katielady; Oct 3, 2013 at 12:16 AM. Reason: added info
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2013
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From: maryland
it's been like that for a few weeks now
Those are pretty clever methods to remove the broken plug. I'd imagine a tiny drop of superglue on the end of a wire or toothpick or something might work pretty well, too, though I've never tried any of them.
The radio reception sounds to me as though it's likely either the antenna (or the amplifier built into it) or the wire/connection leading to the radio. If it goes away in a day or so, it is possible that there's some weather-related interference, though that typically affects AM radio much, much more readily than FM radio. There are a whole bunch of other possibilities for poor radio reception, too, but none are as likely as the antenna or wire IMHO.
The radio reception sounds to me as though it's likely either the antenna (or the amplifier built into it) or the wire/connection leading to the radio. If it goes away in a day or so, it is possible that there's some weather-related interference, though that typically affects AM radio much, much more readily than FM radio. There are a whole bunch of other possibilities for poor radio reception, too, but none are as likely as the antenna or wire IMHO.
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 39
From: maryland
How many miles on your car? If it's 5000 miles and six months old, it's probably not the filter. If it's 2 years and 30,000 miles, try the filter first.
Easy enough to replace the filter. If I remember right, you empty the lower glove compartment, then squeeze the sides and it drops farther down, the filter's right there...
Easy enough to replace the filter. If I remember right, you empty the lower glove compartment, then squeeze the sides and it drops farther down, the filter's right there...
it's an 08 with 113K 0____o I bought it used about two years ago sooo I'm gonna go with the filter haha
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,374
From: Canada
I've broken a jack in a connector before and the way I got it out was to dissassemble the unit and push it out from inside. I would NEVER pay 200$ for that job and your unit is fine and doesn't need to be replaced. I would try dissassembling the radio. It is relatively difficult but perhaps you can convince someone that's handy to help you. I once found a link on YouTube on how to dissassemble the head unit. I'll try and find it and post it.
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,371
From: NC USA
so i've got a few questions that you may or may not be able to help me out with.
1 - when my AC is on, it has a funny smell to it. it doesn't smell bad like dead animals or anything, but it's got a stale-ish smell almost. what's happening and how do i fix it?
2 - all of a sudden my radio stations are coming in fuzzy. is this due to damage to the antennae or possibly just my area? i usually get all the stations i listen to in (except for one) clearly and it's only been happening in the past few weeks. any ideas?
3 - i accidentally broke off the tip to an aux cable in the jack in the center panel. the dealership wanted to charge me almost 200 bucks cause they said i have to replace the whole thing. i know they just try to take your money and make you buy stupid shit you don't need, so is there any way i can get around spending that much just to listen to music?
thanks in advance for any of you that provide input!!
1 - when my AC is on, it has a funny smell to it. it doesn't smell bad like dead animals or anything, but it's got a stale-ish smell almost. what's happening and how do i fix it?
2 - all of a sudden my radio stations are coming in fuzzy. is this due to damage to the antennae or possibly just my area? i usually get all the stations i listen to in (except for one) clearly and it's only been happening in the past few weeks. any ideas?
3 - i accidentally broke off the tip to an aux cable in the jack in the center panel. the dealership wanted to charge me almost 200 bucks cause they said i have to replace the whole thing. i know they just try to take your money and make you buy stupid shit you don't need, so is there any way i can get around spending that much just to listen to music?
thanks in advance for any of you that provide input!!
Here are some things that worked here
1, Do replace your cabin filter immediately When you do run the a/c fan max without filter and spray a good odor freshener like Lysol. Won't hurt to sray some into the a/c air intake too.
2. your best bet with the audio stuff is a good audio store. They will probably have the right tools and better yet knowledge and skills to address your problems No thats not a big box store.
3. fuzzy audio is often the result of a loose antenna so check yours, all connections including the radio input plug.. And that broken plug may be the problem as well. We have in the past used a course but fine wood screw to 'drill' into a buried plug by HAND and then extracting the plug; got that from local audio guy that frequents here.
AUX input.
Most 3.5mm aux inputs I've seen are usually closed/inaccessible that way.I'd strongly advise against super glue or soldering... even if you know what you're doing you'll probably make it worse, or even mess up other stuff around that area. (imo)
If I were you OP, I'd remove the aux input and see if you can access from the inside to push the broken connector out, if so then good, you just saved yourself $$$.
If not, just buy a new aux connector, it's only around ~$40. It's part # 39112-SAA-J02ZA (part #1 in the diagram below)
The OP has an 08 (GD), their aux input is down by center console, not on the radio's like the GE's.
for the smell, remove the cabin air filter and let the fan run on high speed for a long time. Probably a bit of mold form using teh AC a lot. Having the fan running on max for a while will dry the vents out and get most of the smell out.
can also spray a little febreeze on the new filter
can also spray a little febreeze on the new filter
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Joined: Sep 2013
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From: maryland
Wow, if you were able to remove it from the inside out you were lucky... Most 3.5mm aux inputs I've seen are usually closed/inaccessible that way.
I'd strongly advise against super glue or soldering... even if you know what you're doing you'll probably make it worse, or even mess up other stuff around that area. (imo)
If I were you OP, I'd remove the aux input and see if you can access from the inside to push the broken connector out, if so then good, you just saved yourself $$$.
If not, just buy a new aux connector, it's only around ~$40. It's part # 39112-SAA-J02ZA (part #1 in the diagram below)
The OP has an 08 (GD), their aux input is down by center console, not on the radio's like the GE's.
Most 3.5mm aux inputs I've seen are usually closed/inaccessible that way.I'd strongly advise against super glue or soldering... even if you know what you're doing you'll probably make it worse, or even mess up other stuff around that area. (imo)
If I were you OP, I'd remove the aux input and see if you can access from the inside to push the broken connector out, if so then good, you just saved yourself $$$.
If not, just buy a new aux connector, it's only around ~$40. It's part # 39112-SAA-J02ZA (part #1 in the diagram below)
The OP has an 08 (GD), their aux input is down by center console, not on the radio's like the GE's.