Car Talk #2205: The Hitchhiker Test - AC Odors and Saab Ignition Issues

Listener Call: AC Odor Problem

• 🚗 Reggie from South Carolina called about a persistent urine-like odor from her 1990 GM Pontiac Transport's air conditioning.
• 🦠 The smell is attributed to bacteria growth in the evaporator pan, exacerbated by humidity.
• 🛠️ GM installed a special blower system to dry the pan, which runs after the engine is off, but the odor persists.
• ⚠️ Reggie is concerned about potential health risks like Legionnaire's disease, though the hosts suggest it's unlikely to be fatal, perhaps only infectious.

Listener Call: Saab Ignition Switch Issue

• 🔑 Holly from Denver described an incident where she broke her friend's 1983 Saab 900 ignition switch.
• ⚙️ The ignition switch stuck in the 'start' position, preventing the key from being removed and the car from starting.
• 💔 The incident led to a strain in their friendship, with the friend refusing Holly's offer to pay for the $150 repair.
• 🤔 The hosts discussed the ambiguity of fault when a car part breaks, suggesting it might have been due to age rather than Holly's driving.

Listener Call: 1980 Ford Fairmont Hesitation

• ⛽ TR from Bellingham, Washington, described a 1980 Ford Fairmont that hesitates significantly after a brief period of power when accelerating from a stop.
• 💨 The issue occurs only when the car is cold and seems related to the initial fuel delivery.
• 🔧 Possible causes discussed include a flat spot in the carburetor due to a bad accelerator pump or an incorrectly adjusted choke.
• 🔧 The hosts also suggested checking the timing and performing a tune-up, including spark plugs, wires, distributor cap, and rotor, as regular maintenance might have been neglected.

Listener Call: Chevrolet Caprice Classic Hum

• 🔊 Suzanne from El Paso, Texas, reported a loud belt screech when starting her 1986 Chevrolet Caprice Classic in the morning, which lasts about 2 seconds.
• 🎶 She also hears a low hum that kicks in around 15-20 mph and persists until she decelerates.
• 🧐 The hosts suspect one belt might be too loose (causing the screech) and another too tight (potentially causing the hum), or that the hum is an unrelated issue like a wearing alternator bearing.

Brand Discussion: Peugeot's Exit from the US Market

• 📉 The hosts discussed the departure of Peugeot from the American market, citing reasons like lack of parts availability, scarce dealerships, and uncompetitive vehicles.
• 🗣️ They noted that their previous criticisms of Peugeot were validated by reports in publications like the Wall Street Journal.
• 🚗 This marks another foreign car brand leaving the US, following AMC and Renault, leaving concerns about the future landscape of the automotive market.