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Unimpressed with defroster performance in cold weather - 02 Tracker 4 dr 2.0L

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Offline AJMBLAZER

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  • Your mom.
Kentucky has unfortunately been getting more than it's fair share of the cold weather lately and we've actually had sitting snow and very cold temps for most of the last week.  Been 8-10 degrees F at daybreak for most of the last week.  Damn Arctic air masses!

The Tracker will heat up the cabin to the point I have to turn it down however it seems to be struggling to defrost the windshield and cabin glass.  I end up with the top corner of the glass in front of my face and then the top and passenger top all foggy and this eventually turns into condensation.  Stays cold long enough and it starts to frost over.  Running it on just defrost or defrost/floor doesn't make any difference.  I have the AC on while this is running to try and suck the moisture out of the air.
Meanwhile the side windows are also fogged/condensated pretty badly.  To the point where I am having trouble viewing to the sides and viewing the side view mirrors.  This too eventually frosts over.

This seem normal or odd?  I know the universal answer on the lackluster AC was "nature of the (little) beast" but was kinda expecting better from this thing.  My convertible 2 door Trackers were better at defrosting the windshield than this.  I'd expect at least the windshield to be clear.

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Offline trackinstile

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  • Too young to quit........Too old to change........
My defroster isn't that great either. Usually the one spot that I need to see through is missed. :D
A wise man once said, "Wherever you go...........There you are.............." 2000 Tracker 4 door with the 2.0 liter "Big Block". 5 speed 4WD  2001 XL-7 EX II

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Offline Frank84

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The defroster isn't amazing but I never thought it was a sticking point of the vehicle either.  Only time i ever experience really bad issues like you're describing is when my hard top leaked and got the carpet wet.  Made for very moist inside air which fogged up and iced up inside the car.  Same effect if you exercise and get in the car hot and sweaty.

Only suggestion is to get your head up under the passenger side of the dash and behind the glove box (removing it is easy) and check that the cables are moving everything through the full range of travel and not sticking somewhere or not fully turning one of the deflector vents inside the system.

2001 2 Door Tracker, 4x4, 2.0, 5 speed, 215/75/15
Jeff's 2" lift, OME shocks/struts, Sh*t on the fly removed, warn hubs

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Offline johndb

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Make sure you are not recirculating the cabin air. To defrost it is best to use outside air.

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Offline sir lance

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i had to remove the cabin filters to get mine to work better, even new filters where to restrictive. take them right out and see if that helps

-Lance

02' XL-7 1 Ton axles, dual t-cases 37's etc......
Trucks are built not bought*********

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Offline xjnewfie

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Living in Canada, I am all too used to long miserable winters.  I can attest to the general crappiness of the my Vitara's ability to defrost my windows...

Sadly I've come to accept the fact that I will only be able to kinda see through my windows during winter.
2003 4 Door Suzuki Vitara
2" Coil Spacer lift
245/75R16  BFG A/T

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Offline AJMBLAZER

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I ran it on fresh air this morning and holy crap, no more fogging/condensation.  Can't believe it was that simple and I was that dense.  Oh well, easy and free.

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Offline nixit

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that's good to know. I wouldn't have thought it would make much difference. You really save me some frustration

man I love fixes like that !
02' Grand Vitara
S&R 4" combo lift
31x10.5's on 15x8 steel rims
removed plastic crap
Soon:
custom bumpers, winch, lockers, armor, ect.