4th Generation Defroster (Front) Seems to Suck!

[SactoT4R]

I have a new (to me) 2004 4Runner ... my problem is that the front defroster sucks. A/C is on, fan on high, fresh air setting activated, defrost mode selected ... it does work but not very well. It just keeps up ... are they all like this? I hear the compressor cycling, so I know it's working.

I haven't checked the cabin air filter and wondered if it could be the culprit. Any ideas? Again, it works, but put four people in it on a cold and rainy day, and I'd call it marginal.

I've searched and found a couple of relevant threads but nothing very definitive.

Hoping to avoid a trip to the dealer, so I will appreciate any input.

BTW, great site.

 

[watusippin?]

I have a new (to me) 2004 4Runner ... my problem is that the front defroster sucks. A/C is on, fan on high, fresh air setting activated, defrost mode selected ... it does work but not very well. It just keeps up ... are they all like this? I hear the compressor cycling, so I know it's working.

I haven't checked the cabin air filter and wondered if it could be the culprit. Any ideas? Again, it works, but put four people in it on a cold and rainy day, and I'd call it marginal.

I've searched and found a couple of relevant threads but nothing very definitive.

Hoping to avoid a trip to the dealer, so I will appreciate any input.

BTW, great site.

Before I got my 4Runner I was driving a Ford Ranger that had the front defroster the same way (IE: Warm air blowing on the windshield). It sucked in the ford ranger and its a little better in the 4Runner. But those A/C defrosters just seem to suck no matter what.

 

[scottm]

Cold and rainy, so you have a load of wet people and a lot of moisture on a cold windshield. It should keep up, mine seems to work well. I drove an hour in freezing rain the other day, 26*F. My windshield was ice about a third of the way down, but it kept up. I guess I'd check those filters, you need volume of air to keep the humidity off the windshield.

 

[Bossman]

Hey SactoT4R,

Welcome to the site

Definitely check your cabin air filter - it is located in the glove box.

After I purchased my new (to me) T4R I checked the cabin air filter and it was filled with grass and seeds - some little creature had decided to build a nice little nest for itself. After all that was cleaned out I definitely noticed a big difference in air flow for windshield defrost.

If the previous owner has not cleaned it out or replaced it, it is definitely due.

Cheers!

 

[Nuke]

I find that if I haven't cleaned the insides of the windows in awhile, I have trouble keeping the windows clear. The more people in the car the worse it is.

 

[netwon]

I find that you need to keep the fresh air vents (located in front of the windsheld) kept free of snow and ice. If they get plugged up you'll get marginal defrost performance.

 

[gm350reratliff]

I believe Rain-x makes some stuff that aids in that area. Never used it though. The defrost in my '08 works great.

 

[MaverickMind]

Just changed my in-cabin air filter and noticed a huge difference. Avoid purchasing a replacement at the stealership if you can. I paid double what I could have bought it for online.

 

[scottm]

my problem is that the front defroster sucks.

Mine blows.










Yeah, it took me several days to think of that.