Windshield Defrosters

[ToyDiehard]

Question for all you 4th generation guys that have driven your Runner through a winter.

I noticed this morning on the interstate that my windshield defrosters (hot air supply) are very weak around the rear view mirror area. It was snowing, temp's around 14 degrees according to the outside temp gage. I even turned off the "Auto", cranked up the heat, and hit the windshield with straight defrost heat. Ice was still forming on the outside of the windshield in this area. Even if you put your hand up to that area you could feel the lack of hot air movement as compaired to the area directly in front of me.:wtf:

Is this a problem any one else has had?

I wish I could have gotten a picture or 2, but no camera with me.:bonk:

 

[ScottAW]

When dealing with cold air temps, like this morning's temp of -6 F, I set it to defrost/feet, crank the temp. all the way up to max, and set the blowers to medium speed. That works quite well.

The auto feature doesn't seem to put enough air to the windshield sometimes... and I hate it when it does only vents, as that dries my contacts out quickly.

 

[FinRxDoc]

:iagree: I have this same problem

 

[boston_kevin]

Defrost settings

it was -3 here in Boston today... I set the temp at 80, cranked on the windshield defrost full blast and aimed the side vents at the side mirrors (not me). This prevents side windows from fogging. If you are seeing frost, it sounds like you have too much humidity in the car. Try warming up the car on auto with the AC on for a couple of minutes before starting on your way. It should help.

 

[ToyDiehard]

boston_kevin Not having the problem with humidity on the inside, this is ice forming on the outside. Where the winshield is warm, it melts the snow and ice hitting it. In the area I'm talking about, it remains snow and ice and starts to cake up.

 

[boston_kevin]

outside ice...

Not sure what to do about that... I have seen that on a lot of cars... I had this on my old Honda as well.

Do you have a wind deflector on the hood? That might change the pattern of snow hitting the windshield.

 

[ToolmanJohn]

Car has to be warm inside.

I notice that the front windsheild defrosting is indeed weak when the outside temperature is extremely cold and wet spray/snow freezes on the windsheild. The problem goes away when the interior is fully warm (74 degrees), but it takes about a half hour of driving to get there. otherwise, only the lower part of the windsheild gets warm.

I have turned off vents on the dash to make sure air is sent to the defrost vents.

 

[TechWrench]

I too have had this problem. Also with my Hondas. As a matter of fact, now that I think on it, I can't remember any vehicle that didn't. It seems that the engineers were trying to put most of the defrost effort to the areas directly in front of each seating position. Once the interior temp rises enough, the problem seems to clear up. But the first 15-20 minutes can be a problem. I tend to use a lot of washer fluid under these circumstances, to help melt the build up until the glass finally warms up.

 

[carina71]

Have any of you tried turning your air to fresh and turning on the AC?

 

[ToyDiehard]

boston_kevin .... No wind deflector on the hood. I do have the front end mask but the lack of warm weather has stopped me from putting it on.

ToolmanJohn .... Turning off the dash vents might divert more air to this area, I'll have to try that.:bowdown:

TechWrench .... You hit my exact problem on the head.:bash:
I too used lots of fluid to keep this area clear. My 93 Runner was great and flooded the windshield evenly with warm air, never a problem.

carina71 .... The inside of the glass and humidity doesn't seam to be the problem. The problem is the uneven wash of warm air from the defrosters over the whole front windshield.

Modification to the angle of the outlets on the defrosters located on the top of the dash might be in order.

Thanks to all for your input.

 

[carina71]

carina71 .... The inside of the glass and humidity doesn't seam to be the problem. The problem is the uneven wash of warm air from the defrosters over the whole front windshield.

Modification to the angle of the outlets on the defrosters located on the top of the dash might be in order.

Thanks to all for your input.

One more thing you might try is replcing the cabin air filter--just a thought.

 

[ToyDiehard]

I sure hope the cabin air filter doesn't need replaced. I've just turned 6000 miles, 4 months old, and haven't done any real dusty off roading, but I'll check it out anyway. Thanks.

 

[jazzy jae]

the heater/ac seems weak to me too. heater never gets hot enough quick enough nor does the A/C.

 

[Bobby]

The heater in my 4runner takes about 2 mins and it gets really hot in about 5 mins. Haven't had a chance to test the A/C yet.