Excessive Condensation

[higheroctave32]

Not sure if this is the right area for this, but it sounded good. Many times lately I will come out to my car at the end of the work day around 9 p.m. and get in to find the interior surface of the windshield is completely covered in serious condensation. Not a little like hit the defrost for a minute or two, but break out the towel and start wiping so I don't have to sit there for 10 minutes waiting for the defrost to do something and running the engine for nothing.

I haven't been using the sunshade lately because it's been overcast a lot so that's not trapping any moisture in there so I don't know what's causing it. I don't run the climate control constantly when it is colder, but go on and off as needed to maximize the battery availability. Is the car just sealed too well that it is not venting at all while it sits?I've never had it happen this bad before.

[GrySql]

If the car's floor/rugs are wet and the the car is sealed, the heat trapped in the car caused by UV rays thru the window glass can cause condensation.

[Texasota]

I don't run the climate control constantly when it is colder, but go on and off as needed to maximize the battery availability. Is the car just sealed too well that it is not venting at all while it sits?I've never had it happen this bad before.

Could the intermittent use of your HVAC be leaving a lot of humidity in the car when you turn it off which then condenses on the windshield which has been cooled by the 9:00 PM evening air?

 

You might try driving to work with the HVAC turned on during the entire drive, as an experiment, and see what it is like when you leave at 9:00 PM that day. Seems like the condensation on the windshield has to be resulting from humidity in the cabin air. The question is what is causing the high humidity.

Edited December 24, 2014 by Texasota

[higheroctave32]

Both are quite possible. We've had some serious rain here the last couple weeks.

[gkinla]

If you run the HVAC constantly in recirculate mode, the 100% humidity you breath out, never leaves the car cabin and will possibly condense on the inside when the interior of the car cools down.

[mwr]

I live in the SF Bay area wth similar weather to yours this time of year. A lot of rain lately and also high humidity with fog the last few days. My car is outside all the time. I've never expereinced what you describe. I never use recirculate. I leave the HVAC on Auto, 72 degrees, all the time except when sometimes I need to hit the defrost button. AC off in this weather.

[higheroctave32]

I live in the SF Bay area wth similar weather to yours this time of year. A lot of rain lately and also high humidity with fog the last few days. My car is outside all the time. I've never expereinced what you describe. I never use recirculate. I leave the HVAC on Auto, 72 degrees, all the time except when sometimes I need to hit the defrost button. AC off in this weather.

 

I'm sure it's me thinking I can outsmart the HVAC system by manually doing things that's causing it. I'll do that more of the time and see what happens.

 

Thanks everyone for the input.

[Easy Rider]

Yes, by all means try LEAVING the climate control on for a few days and see if it helps.

 

But it sounds to me like you have another source of moisture present......like coolant leaking into the cabin or the AC drain not draining.

 

IF using the climate control and/or leaving a couple of windows cracked about 1/4 inch doesn't solve the problem, a dealer visit might be in order.

[billford]

I think that excessive condensation can be a problem. Storing wet umbrellas and clothing should be avoided. The wiring connectors, modules and sensors outside the car are sealed against moisture to prevent corrosion. Inside, they are usually not sealed. The high voltage battery is cooled by cabin air, so you want to keep the air as dry as possible.

 

If the carpets are wet after a rain, you definitely have a leak inside the car. If they are dry, I think it could just be the weather.

 

You can try and keep a window slightly open when you park and see if that clears it up.

Edited December 25, 2014 by billford

[Easy Rider]

I think that excessive condensation can be a problem.

 

Absolutely right. I know it can be a problem.

Eventually it leads to nasty mold if left unchecked long enough.

[klatoo]

I've discovered this as well, however it occurs in summer and winter and generally happens after rain. It has never occurred in my garage, but has occurred in my work parking garage as well as being stored outside at work (policy change at work, hence parking in a garage now).

 

I asked the Ford rep about this while my Expedition was in the shop few months back but all I got was a blank stare. Figured the occurrence happening a few times a year is nothing to get that upset about. Never occurred in any car I ever owned before though.