Icy Winshield Inside During Frosty Mornings

[hillre51]

Hello, I've a 2003 Ford Explorer (V6), 118K miles. Problem: Windshield have ice buildup/frost on the Inside for some reason or another since. It started this after numerous snow storm/ice storm in Fort Knox, KY area and extremely cold weather conditions 20 degrees and below especially at night. No leak of anti-freeze detected and no smell of antifreeze. Heater is getting hot. I did find damp carpet in front floors (drivers/passenger) which came from entrance/exit of vehicle with snow/ice built up on shoes. Have any of you experienced this type of problem with icy/frosty windshield? If so, how did your resolve it? What was the problem? Could it be a clogged drain hole on windshield? If so, how do i unclogg it? I have to check the area on outside of windshield to ensure no ice buildup in cowl area. Thanks

 

[Number4]

If you are driving it with the heat blasting, then parking it outside. Seems to me that the heat inside the cab overnight against the windshield would condensate and as the temps over night fall, it freezes. Simplest answer.

 

[esclamada]

There's too much humidity inside your cabin, is your AC working? The air conditioner will remove the humidity and prevent fog/ice build-up on your windshield. You need that turned on.


-----------------------------------------------------------
MY MOUNTY
http://www.facebook.com/diyfordexplorer/photos_albums

 

[Exproblems]

I did find damp carpet in front floors (drivers/passenger) which came from entrance/exit of vehicle with snow/ice built up on shoes. Have any of you experienced this type of problem with icy/frosty windshield? If so, how did your resolve it? What was the problem? Could it be a clogged drain hole on windshield? If so, how do i unclogg it? I have to check the area on outside of windshield to ensure no ice buildup in cowl area. Thanks

The wet carpets are a big part of your frosty inner windows as moisture inside the vehicle on a cold night will cause frosted windows on the inside. Wet vehicle cleaning towels left in the car will do it as well.
Yes, it has happened to me on numerous occasions as I live in a very cold, wintery area. Solution was, get rid of the water/moisture inside the vehicle.
You could also have a clogged "under the windshield cowl/fender" drain hole that is plugged up with rotting leaves, grit and tree twigs as mine was. This can cause water to leak in thru the inner firewall up behind the foot pedals. I'll add the link for my clogged drain hole post later after I retrieve the link from the forum, it comes with photo's of how to get to the drain holes. There is one drain hole on each side of the vehicle. Here is the link below, look at post #29 :

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3216684#post3216684

 

[Donystoy]

Welcome to cold weather driving. That is why we keep a small ice scraper handy inside the car to scrape off the inside. Moisture on the floor mat as previously mentioned will add to this problem. I believe most automotive AC systems have a low temp shut off so they do not run at very low outside temperatures. If available always run on re-circ air to help remove moisture especially if AC will run. This especially helps in warmer rainy weather when all the windows fog up.
Not to get off topic but we have an escarpment (upper level) in the Hamilton area where it can sometimes be warmer and more humid on top. If you are in the lower city and climb the escarpment you can experience condensation on the outside. I remember the first time it happened I frantically tried to clean off the inside only to realize that I had to put on the wipers. Every one around me was stopping suddenly as they could not see where they were going. Amazing how fast the outside got covered in condensation.

 

[ponkotsu]

Years ago I bought a car and right before I picked it up the dealer shampooed the carpets. The windows fogged up so bad I literally couldn't drive. If it would have been winter, they would have froze for sure. I'd try to dry out the carpets good and see if it fixes it.

 

[D Hook]

This is from the 2003 owner's manual:

Operating tips
• To reduce fog build up on the windshield during humid weather, place
the air flow selector in the position.
• To reduce humidity build up inside the vehicle: do not drive with the
air flow selector in the OFF or MAX A/C position.
• Under normal weather conditions, do not leave the air flow selector in
MAX A/C or OFF when the vehicle is parked. This allows the vehicle
to “breathe” using the outside air inlet vents.
• Do not put objects under the front seats that will interfere with the
airflow to the back seats.
• Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the base of
the windshield.



There is a sticky on the front page for downloading owner's manuals.

 

[hillre51]

Thanks, it seem to be getting better the last couple of dsys. I believe the front floor carpet had moisture build-up from my winter boots (via entering and exiting the vehicle) tracking snow & ice. Thanks for responding.

QUOTE=Number4;3259199]If you are driving it with the heat blasting, then parking it outside. Seems to me that the heat inside the cab overnight against the windshield would condensate and as the temps over night fall, it freezes. Simplest answer.[/QUOTE]

 

[hillre51]

Yes the AC is working. Ok I will definitely try that. It seems to be getting better. I think I had moisture build-up in the floor carpet. I removed floor mats and rran heater on high while driving to dry out carpet. Thanks for responding. Appreciate it

QUOTE=esclamada;3259223]There's too much humidity inside your cabin, is your AC working? The air conditioner will remove the humidity and prevent fog/ice build-up on your windshield. You need that turned on.


-----------------------------------------------------------
MY MOUNTY
http://www.facebook.com/diyfordexplorer/photos_albums[/QUOTE]

 

[hillre51]

Thanks, great info. I think I did leave a wet towel in reat of vehicle b/c I have been washing it quite often due to salty roads. It seems to be getting better ladt 3 days or so. I will check out the link you provided regarding the drain holes when it warm up a little here. It has been an extremely bad winter here.Appreciate your time responding.

The wet carpets are a big part of your frosty inner windows as moisture inside the vehicle on a cold night will cause frosted windows on the inside. Wet vehicle cleaning towels left in the car will do it as well.
Yes, it has happened to me on numerous occasions as I live in a very cold, wintery area. Solution was, get rid of the water/moisture inside the vehicle.
You could also have a clogged "under the windshield cowl/fender" drain hole that is plugged up with rotting leaves, grit and tree twigs as mine was. This can cause water to leak in thru the inner firewall up behind the foot pedals. I'll add the link for my clogged drain hole post later after I retrieve the link from the forum, it comes with photo's of how to get to the drain holes. There is one drain hole on each side of the vehicle. Here is the link below, look at post #29 :

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3216684#post3216684

 

[hillre51]

Thanks for the info, very interesting your story. I will check my AC to see if it has the RE-CIR function. The moisture is drying up I believe. I took the floor mats out a couple days to dry out carpet. Appreciate you time responding. I cant wait until Spring).

QUOTE=Donystoy;3259319]Welcome to cold weather driving. That is why we keep a small ice scraper handy inside the car to scrape off the inside. Moisture on the floor mat as previously mentioned will add to this problem. I believe most automotive AC systems have a low temp shut off so they do not run at very low outside temperatures. If available always run on re-circ air to help remove moisture especially if AC will run. This especially helps in warmer rainy weather when all the windows fog up.
Not to get off topic but we have an escarpment (upper level) in the Hamilton area where it can sometimes be warmer and more humid on top. If you are in the lower city and climb the escarpment you can experience condensation on the outside. I remember the first time it happened I frantically tried to clean off the inside only to realize that I had to put on the wipers. Every one around me was stopping suddenly as they could not see where they were going. Amazing how fast the outside got covered in condensation.[/QUOTE]

 

[hillre51]

Thanks for sharing the info. Sorry to hear that. Yeah some of those dealers are unbelievable. Its all about making the mighty $$$$). Im working on drying the catpet out now. I removed floor mats. Running heat on high. Seems to be working. Appreciate your time
Take care

Years ago I bought a car and right before I picked it up the dealer shampooed the carpets. The windows fogged up so bad I literally couldn't drive. If it would have been winter, they would have froze for sure. I'd try to dry out the carpets good and see if it fixes it.

 

[hillre51]

Great info
thanks for sharing
I will make a note of this and or print it for future reference. I will review the sticky also. Appreciate your time. Take care. I appreciate all of you guys and this forum very very much. Lets keep it live) have a good year. I will be around the forum when time allows)

This is from the 2003 owner's manual:

Operating tips
• To reduce fog build up on the windshield during humid weather, place
the air flow selector in the position.
• To reduce humidity build up inside the vehicle: do not drive with the
air flow selector in the OFF or MAX A/C position.
• Under normal weather conditions, do not leave the air flow selector in
MAX A/C or OFF when the vehicle is parked. This allows the vehicle
to “breathe” using the outside air inlet vents.
• Do not put objects under the front seats that will interfere with the
airflow to the back seats.
• Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the base of
the windshield.



There is a sticky on the front page for downloading owner's manuals.

 

[rmunley]

I had the same issue earlier this winter. The advice to dry the floor mats is spot on. I found a few other things that helped. For the last block you drive before parking, turn down the heat, put the fan on high and crack the window a bit. That gets the warmer moist air out of the cabin so there's less to ice up the window. This sounds strange but also helped. Get one of those food storage containers, punch a few holes in the top, and fill it with baking soda. That also helps to absorb the extra moisture in the air.

 

[hillre51]

Very interesting tip
thanks for sharing
I will definitely do that to see if it works. Have a good day.


QUOTE=rmunley;3259960]I had the same issue earlier this winter. The advice to dry the floor mats is spot on. I found a few other things that helped. For the last block you drive before parking, turn down the heat, put the fan on high and crack the window a bit. That gets the warmer moist air out of the cabin so there's less to ice up the window. This sounds strange but also helped. Get one of those food storage containers, punch a few holes in the top, and fill it with baking soda. That also helps to absorb the extra moisture in the air.[/QUOTE]

 

[Tcford]

Moisture on windows

I also have frosted windows in my '03 Explorer and constantly tried going between defroster and dash vents to clear up...a real pain. I've made it to summer now and during a cool morning turned on the heat and the windows immediately began to fog. My A.C. works fine when it's hot out. My blender door had broke and dropped last year so I cleaned the leaves out, and screwed the door back to the top leaving only a small opening for outside air to enter, hoping that would allow dry winter air to enter eliminating the inside moisture with little success. I have not blocked the outside air vent ( that's why I screwed the door back up). Any ideas now?