Technical GP Ventilation System / Window Steaming Issue!

[Humour]

Hi all,

I know this has been covered before, and I've read the multiple threads in the Panda and 500 sections covering the same issue, however nobody actually addresses root cause in my opinion, so intend to try and get to the bottom of the issue based on previous experience.

Firstly as has been mentioned, steaming up of the inside of the windows occurs as a result of the inside of the car not being able to breathe (no outside air entering the cabin). This can be mitigated by using the AC to act as a dehumidifier (if your car has AC), or open your windows a little bit. Both are unfortunately only a temp fix and do not address the root cause. I wont even entertain the other suggestions lol

So we know that the recirculation button should be in the "OFF" position, to allow fresh air to enter the cabin, but what happens when it is off and the windows are still misting up? :idea:

More importantly, when the recirculation button is switched on, what mechanical part does this action send a command to and where is it located in the vehicle?

In my experience with an old Alfa, there was a flap hidden under the dash that had a mechanical actuator so when the recirc. button was pressed it would either open, or close, dependant on state. In my case it was permanently closed regardless of what the sate the button was in, which of course meant an actuator mechanical fault or electrical. Long story short, no new parts could be bought due to the age of the car so a firm press with the hand left the flap in the permanently opened position .........and........no steamed up windows since no matter what the weather without even needing to use air con.

So to the point, does anybody know where the recirculation control flap is located in the GP? Is it easy to get to and which part of the car needs to be disassembled inside/outside?

Any specific feedback to the question will be appreciated.

My GP currently needs the wipers on the inside more than it does on the outside and needs sorting sharpish, or I need to invest in a kitchen towel company lol.

Hum

 

[Ffoxy]

Accepting that IF all is mechanically and electrically functioning as it should, then my money would be on you having a water leak / ingress problem somewhere into the car. My daughters car had water gathering inside the sill which caused a similar issue as described by you.

 

[D4nny8oy]

Open the glove box and look up towards the bulkhead- you'll see it straight away.

They don't give many problems, so like Ffoxy said- you've probably got water ingress. Search for the brake servo plate corrosion issue- there's pics showing what to look for.

 

[Mjet220]

I have to use air con and recirc 24/7

 

[D4nny8oy]

I have to use air con and recirc 24/7

If you're keeping the re-circ on, then there's your problem- you're not drawing-in fresh air!

You should only activate it for short periods to prevent unpleasant odours entering the cabin from outside.

 

[Mjet220]

I have to have it on otherwise i cant see anything at all

 

[Mjet220]

The second i turn it off all 5 windows fog

 

[Reuuk]

The second i turn it off all 5 windows fog

are you out dogging? :devil:

 

[Humour]

Open the glove box and look up towards the bulkhead- you'll see it straight away.

They don't give many problems, so like Ffoxy said- you've probably got water ingress. Search for the brake servo plate corrosion issue- there's pics showing what to look for.

Thanks for the feedback. The brake servo is not an issue, I checked the area when I was viewing to buy having read here about being one of the areas to check, I even pulled up the drivers side carpet and it was all dry.

I didn't however do so on the passenger side as I was unaware that side could be a problem also. The glove box had/has a broken handle so it is tied together with a bit of rope which I am yet to replace, but I will check the area now that you mention it. Breaking off topic for a second, can the handle be replaced or do I need to buy a whole new glove box basket???

Assuming I have water ingress, if it doesn't rain but its still cold as it is now where frost/moisture forms on the outside and the car is closed/sealed over night, should I be expecting to see the same level of moisture in the morning? Because In this case I don't have an issue with misted windows in the morning.

Hum

 

[Humour]

are you out dogging? :devil:

LOL as much I would like to join this theme, please lets keep it on topic for this one because the topic related comments may help others.

Tjet180, Recirculation = breathing the same air over and over again, this is guaranteed to steam up the windows on the inside. As the others have said, switch it off as a test and go for a drive that doesn't require you to be somewhere at a specific time and see what happens! If you still have an issue with Aircon on, then you could be looking at a water leak into the cabin as had been suggested by the other guys already, therefore you need to investigate or pay someone to do it for you.


Hum

 

[Humour]

Update on the issue. Looked and poked at the bulkhead on the inside through the glove box as suggested. Gave it a good look with a torch and couldn't see any suggestion of moisture/water.

Interestingly, when I turn the AC off and the blower to 0 when the car is parked up for the night, the next morning there is no steaming of the windows. I don't know if it could be related but if the AC button and blower is left at 1 or 2, moisture builds upon the inside over night.

Humour.

 

[middo85]

Update on the issue. Looked and poked at the bulkhead on the inside through the glove box as suggested. Gave it a good look with a torch and couldn't see any suggestion of moisture/water.

Interestingly, when I turn the AC off and the blower to 0 when the car is parked up for the night, the next morning there is no steaming of the windows. I don't know if it could be related but if the AC button and blower is left at 1 or 2, moisture builds upon the inside over night.

Humour.

I have exactly the same issue as you and find that turning the fan to 0 vastly reduces the condensation

 

[Humour]

I have exactly the same issue as you and find that turning the fan to 0 vastly reduces the condensation

That's really odd. I don't understand what's going on in that case

Perhaps the Aircon is releasing the moisture it has recovered during use, but my understanding of aircon systems isn't that good. In comparison a dehumidifier catches moisture and releases that into a catch tank of some sort. I would have thought a car aircon system if doing something similar would have the means to expel the collected moisture/water to the outside somehow, otherwise all cars with aircon will need to periodically empty a catch tank???

Humour

 

[Magic Johnson]

If you're keeping the re-circ on, then there's your problem- you're not drawing-in fresh air!

You should only activate it for short periods to prevent unpleasant odours entering the cabin from outside.

What about unpleasant odours that come from inside the cabin?

 

[SJB1985]

What about unpleasant odours that come from inside the cabin?

LOL just don't burp or fart inside the cabin and you will be grand!

 

[middo85]

That's really odd. I don't understand what's going on in that case

Perhaps the Aircon is releasing the moisture it has recovered during use, but my understanding of aircon systems isn't that good. In comparison a dehumidifier catches moisture and releases that into a catch tank of some sort. I would have thought a car aircon system if doing something similar would have the means to expel the collected moisture/water to the outside somehow, otherwise all cars with aircon will need to periodically empty a catch tank???

Humour

The aircon system has a drain at the bottom of the engine bay which allows the moisture to escape.

I assumed that leaving the fan speed dial on anything other than zero was allowing air from outside of the car to enter the cabin, hence the condensation

 

[D4nny8oy]

That's really odd. I don't understand what's going on in that case

Perhaps the Aircon is releasing the moisture it has recovered during use, but my understanding of aircon systems isn't that good. In comparison a dehumidifier catches moisture and releases that into a catch tank of some sort. I would have thought a car aircon system if doing something similar would have the means to expel the collected moisture/water to the outside somehow, otherwise all cars with aircon will need to periodically empty a catch tank???

Humour

The A/C unit in the car incorporates a drain tube which allows the condensation to run out of the cabin, through a rubber pipe and exit under the car (on a humid day with the A/C on you'll notice a puddle appearing roughly from the centre of the bulkhead area.

If this tube/hole becomes blocked, the condensation won't drain away and cause excessive misting. With the lower centre console trim removed, you should be able to see it.

 

[Mjet220]

LOL as much I would like to join this theme, please lets keep it on topic for this one because the topic related comments may help others.

Tjet180, Recirculation = breathing the same air over and over again, this is guaranteed to steam up the windows on the inside. As the others have said, switch it off as a test and go for a drive that doesn't require you to be somewhere at a specific time and see what happens! If you still have an issue with Aircon on, then you could be looking at a water leak into the cabin as had been suggested by the other guys already, therefore you need to investigate or pay someone to do it for you.


Hum

I dont mean to be funny but as stated above the only way to STOP the misting is by using recirc if i turn it OFF it instantly mists up thanks

 

[D4nny8oy]

Update on the issue. Looked and poked at the bulkhead on the inside through the glove box as suggested. Gave it a good look with a torch and couldn't see any suggestion of moisture/water.

That was mentioned as you requested the location of the outside air intake/recirc flap? I've not known them to be a source of water ingress, unless the scuttle panel drainage tubes are blocked (usually with leaves).

 

[D4nny8oy]

I dont mean to be funny but as stated above the only way to STOP the misting is by using recirc if i turn it OFF it instantly mists up thanks

Then something is wrong with your heater box.