Windscreen clearer/vent/blower not clearing mist

Rich.

Rich.

A2OC Donor
I was wondering I seem to have a problem with my windscreen steaming up quite a bit, meaning I have to have the windscreen blower button on all the time otherwise my windscreen steams up quite a bit, it only stays clear in the center of the glass.

I was wondering is anyone having this problem or having to do this? in 0-4 C.

If I have it on auto I have to every 10 minutes of so put it to the windscreen air blower because it mists up too much, im pretty sure I never used to have this problem, which makes me think that a pipe in the dash is not fitted properly since it was all taken apart in the summer. Only a little air is coming out the big center blower and nothing out the two little air vents on the dash near the side windows.

Any idea how I can find out if there is a problem? would a scan show anything?
 
I am a newbie to A2 ownership so am still getting to grips with the A2 system but my general understanding of how an A/c will work is that with the system on full, the compressor dehumidifies the air. Auto will normally maintain the temp and humidity in the cabin by directing dry air flow to all vents but in the main underneath the dash. The fact that when you press the demist button it clears, makes me think the flaps are working and it is a problem with the compressor not doing its dehumidifying job as well as it should. As Brett says a scan is the way to go.
 
I think the flaps are working, I can hear them, I tested changing the UP, DOWN arrows and you can hear them changing. I will see about a scan soon... :)

I found an old post by skipton about the compressor, I tried turning the big bottom pulley, I can't move it at all which suspects it may be something else or maybe just myself and everything is working properly..

Skipton01 said:
Easy way to check the aircon system is to see if you can rotate the centre of the compressor by hand, with the engine off - look down the drivers side of the engine and there's an exposed belt that drives the alternator (top) and climate compressor (bottom).

Put your hand on the centre section of the compressor pulley and see if it spins. If not, then the compressor is fine.

I suspect that it'll be a connector loose and there are several of these. There's one on the body of the compressor for starters to check.

I think that this'll be the problem with the radio too - a missing connector (most likely the aerial).

Cheers,

Mike
Click to expand...
 
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Hi Richard-,

When the temperature drops, I too have had problems with windows steaming up with the climate control set to auto. Have you noticed that the windows steam up from the rear of the car first?

My (no cost) solution is to do two things

1. Make sure the inside of the windows are spotlessly clean.
2. Take the CC off auto and have just the UP button lit (top right button) and set the fan speed to 4 bars.

All that I think is happening is that on AUTO, not enough fresh air is being brought in and the humidity level is building up. You will find that the fan speed will change after a while.

Just out of interest, when was the last time you changed the filter for the ventilation system?

John.
 
Hi Richard
Similar window misting problems on my car turned out to be a faulty G263 evaporator outlet temp sensor in the aircon sytem. There are several temp and pressures sensors which could potentially fail so the diagnostic scan is highly recommended. It would also show if any of the 3 flap postioning motors are stuck as Bret indicated.
There is lots of reading here -
http://www.a2oc.net/forum/showthread.php?t=4542&highlight=g263
http://www.a2oc.net/forum/showthread.php?t=8903&highlight=g263
http://www.a2oc.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2973&d=1236108437

Cheers Spike
 
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Don't I remember the A/C is not run at outside temperature below 5C? So it is normal it mist up the windows when it is freezing cold and damp outside. I can certainly see this happening with the recent drop of snow. Once I have the car fully warmed up on the road and the windscreen blown clear, it is not a big deal and can switch the front blower off. I'm pretty sure my compressor is working and will resume duty when temperature goes above 5C.
 
Hi Humps
I have seen the same 5C threshold mentioned before and it makes sense, preventing the condenser (or is it the evaporator) core icing up when the air is cold and damp.
My car is always garaged, which must help, but in winter, with air temp hovering between 5 and zero, the car will mist up but quickly clear as soon as the aircon is switched on.
For me, misting windows was only ever an issue when the G263 sensor failed. Once I replaced the sensor I have never had a problem, summer or winter providing the aircon is running.
I agree its pointless striving to 'fix' a system which is working correctly within its physical limits but there seems to be quite a difference of opinion as to what is normal.
It could be the diesels with the Webasto have an advantage by warming up quicker in colder temps but I'd be interested to hear what other petrol and diesel owners think of their aircon capabilities of keeping the windows demisted in the winter

Cheers Spike
 
Mine will mist up when driving and oil temp 90C, 30mins-1hr into a journey, it will always completely mist up if its cold outside and I put the blower on full, but this is not any concern and normal; - it is misting up when driving after a while. But I will have a scan when I can to find out if there is a problem.
 
A/C does not work below 5 DegC whatever setting/temp you put it on - this is so the compenets are protected in adverse weather.

I find that in the recent cold weather and the fact my car now lives outside I start her up place the heater on 'Demist' (top left button) and then go about de-icing the outside windows - normally with warm water and normally within 2 minutes drive off. It has never steamed up by doing this.

I will normally after a few minutes driving then switch to Auto (22 DegC for me) as the webasto heater will have kicked in. Voila no problems. If anything I notice the rear side windows steam up before anywhere else when I have no air-con.
 
I've worked out after a week or two that I haven't been hearing the webasto heater running. No noise, no smoke, no early boost heat. So after 20-30 minutes sitting in the car waiting for the ice inside to melt it finally struct, no webasto.

Is there anything basic I can check, would it be any fuses? I have not heard it on for at least one month, I will have it scanned tomorrow. I was reading in other topics, other than it taking a good while for temp to heat up in the car, the heating is working once the car temp reaches 90C, the temp stays on 90C while driving the car.
 
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