cabin filter_2000 G. Voyager

I have a 2000 Grand Voyager made by Chrysler. When I turn on my a/c or my heat there is an awful smell, like the elephant house at the zoo (and no I am not exaggerating), for a couple of minutes, then it goes away. My son in NC said it might be a cabin filter. Since he is 14 hrs away from me he cannot check it. Can anyone tell me where it would be if I had one? Thanks.
Cece

Several people have reported this problem. You can do a search on the Forum for an answer. The 2000 Grand Voyager doesn't have a cabin filter. The option was available in 2000 on the Chrysler Town and Country only and then in 2001 it was an option in the other models (Caravan, Voyager).

i've seen a problem similar to this before, it was caused by mold and stuff growing in the vents. find the intake for the air and spray some lysol into it and let it blow around

I have used Lysol before, someone said that it can corrode the evaporator, there is some spray that is for this very thing but I don't know the name of it. If you decide to use Lysol, use the whole can.

There is a post in here somewhere for that very odor problem. Search the site.

I have a 99 gr caravan with a cabin filter. It was an accessory thru the dealer at the parts counter,tho currently unavailable, but they are washable I've done mine twice. So it is possible you have one, actually there is 2 separate filters that fit in openings in the firewall Rh & Lh. To see if you have them you have to remove the wiper arms & the cowling at the base of the windshield.Even if you can just lift the cowling enough after removing the torx screws to look straight back at the firewall you can't miss them. If you do not have them you'll just see large openings for the air intakes. As far as the smell, my inlaws had that problem with there 95 caravan with no filter & they brought it to the dealer who did some sort of spray treatment in the vents for about $100 Canadian & it did get rid of the smell.