windshield defrost only blows center

[longpuddle]

Hi, I have a 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn. 10K miles on it. The windshield defroster only blows from the center of the dash vent. Almost no air blows from the right or left sides of the dash vent. By "side" I mean about 1/3 of the total vent length on either side. I was told by the service dept at the dealership that this is how they work. I'm not convinced. It's dangerous. Is this a known problem? Has anyone else experienced it? Thanks!

 

[SniperDroid]

There are settings in the U connect for how the blow out air. Check the manual, and the choices and see if you can change it. My wife always puts on the defrosters, and I don't like the hot air on my head.....

 

[longpuddle]

So there are 64 holes in the defrost dash vent. It seems as though air only flows from holes 11 through 53. Dumb.

 

[Dean2]

Go start a 1500 on the lot, fire up the defrost, and see if it is the same. At least then you know if it is normal or not. The defrost on our GC and the 2021 2500 are great, keeps windows clear even at -45, so your issue doesn't sound normal to me. On my 2500 air come out across the length of the windshield and it pumps air out the side vents to keep the side windows clear.

 

[Jaymo]

I have a 2022 Ram 1500 Limited and most of the time the Front defrost only mode will blow air on the floor as well. Drives me crazy when its super cold out the windshield will frost over and my feet will be sweating. SOMETIMES it will blow correctly coming all out of the windshield vents and nothing to the floor. Its a problem i haven't been able to replicate intentionally, or while it is working incorrectly be able to correct by cycling through all the other options. Everytime i would go from face vents back to full defrost it will allow air to go to the floor as well.

The fact that after a key cycle it would sometimes make it work normally and go to full defrost mode is the reason why i think this HVAC is not working correctly.

 

[terroraz]

I have a 2022 Ram 1500 Limited and most of the time the Front defrost only mode will blow air on the floor as well. Drives me crazy when its super cold out the windshield will frost over and my feet will be sweating. SOMETIMES it will blow correctly coming all out of the windshield vents and nothing to the floor. Its a problem i haven't been able to replicate intentionally, or while it is working incorrectly be able to correct by cycling through all the other options. Everytime i would go from face vents back to full defrost it will allow air to go to the floor as well.

The fact that after a key cycle it would sometimes make it work normally and go to full defrost mode is the reason why i think this HVAC is not working correctly.

Same issues are happening to my new 2022 Laramie. Super annoying and potentially dangerous. Was hoping to find a solution online before bringing it to the dealership when I get a chance.

 

[GTyankee]

Is there any adjustment that can be made in the radios menu ?

 

[terroraz]

Is there any adjustment that can be made in the radios menu ?

Nothing I can find on that 12.1 UConnect system that would adjust that.

 

[Jaymo]

Just got my truck back from the Dealer and they couldn't find any issue with the defrost. They hooked it up to their diagnostic to find nothing wrong. (insert heavy exhale here). I brought the service guy out and showed him that on Defrost only mode, the majority of the air is coming from the floor and only a little from the center of the windshield vent.

He agreed that is an issue and will be contacting the technical department in the states to get any insights. I'm aware that there is a TSB and recall in the states for incompatible HVAC parts but he specifically said they don't want to correlate U.S. problems in Canada. My guess is the HVAC system either has to be recalibrated electronically or there is a physical issue with the hvac.

Either way its unsafe and i'll be taking the steps neccessary to get this resolved. I'll keep y'all updated.

Jason.

 

[Jaymo]

Update: Truck defrost still doesn't work. It's been into the dealership twice more since the initial one. They are in contact with the Tech-line in the states trying to resolve the issue but communication has also been spotty. I think the dealership is at a loss and don't know what to do with me. Brand new truck and no defrost in Canada..

Like I've mentioned before, Sometimes it has worked and I get most of the vents blowing air up top and nothing on the floor but not in a long time. Last night I had a good look at the Alpha options to see if there was anything in there I could try and out of frustration I cycled the the defrost about 50 times and it started working correctly. Cycled another 50 times flawlessly. Great. Went for a drive this morning and did not work at all...

Keep ya posted.

 

[willtoride]

I’m experiencing the same issue. 2022 1500 bighorn. Had our first snowfall here in canmore Alberta today and noticed all the warm air on the drivers side was coming out on the floor. Nothing coming out on the drivers side windshield defroster. Low expectations on dealers ability to solve this but I’ll update if they or I fix it.

 

[CrispyBacon]

Sounds like the motor that actuates things isn't moving far enough or at all.

 

[Jaymo]

Hey guys I may have something to add here. I have a 2022 Ram and it has been to the dealership 3 times to diagnose the no defrost issue. Specifically I demonstrated that when selecting front defrost only mode the air would blow out of the floor vents and only come out of the centre of the defrost vents. Didn't matter which speed the fan was or cycling through the other zones. Defrost wouldn't work properly.

I may have a solution or at least something to try. I noticed that SOMETIMES the defrost would work normally or at least it had intermittently worked, but I couldnt figure out what the common denominator was. But today I noticed it was working and the temperature was full hot. All air coming from the defrost and side window vents and nothing to the floor. I then lowered the temperature and noticed the air started coming out the floor vents!!

I have since determined, in my case anyways, that the full defrost mode will only work if at least one side of the temperature slider is full hot. Sync mode was the same. It would only go full defrost if the temperature is full hot.

I get why I couldn't get it to work other times is because usually it's in auto mode set at 21 degrees. And when switching to defrost mode I wouldn't normally change the temperature as well, It's usually blowing hot enough air in the winter. But it seemed to be consistent so far. Time will tell on more trips but it's the only thing that I've found to be repeatable and makes sense why I wouldn't have figured this out much sooner.

Put er on full hot and let me know if that doesn't do the trick.

Jason

 

[Tulecreeper]

I think we're whistling in the wind, here. The OP hasn't been back since Dec 29 last year.

 

[Dean2]

I think we're whistling in the wind, here. The OP hasn't been back since Dec 29 last year.

True, but other guys have contributed some great information. New members, first posts, asking for help, little information, pretty much don't bother responding anymore but there is still value to the info the threads generate.

 

[RamDiver]

Hey guys I may have something to add here. I have a 2022 Ram and it has been to the dealership 3 times to diagnose the no defrost issue. Specifically I demonstrated that when selecting front defrost only mode the air would blow out of the floor vents and only come out of the centre of the defrost vents. Didn't matter which speed the fan was or cycling through the other zones. Defrost wouldn't work properly.

I may have a solution or at least something to try. I noticed that SOMETIMES the defrost would work normally or at least it had intermittently worked, but I couldnt figure out what the common denominator was. But today I noticed it was working and the temperature was full hot. All air coming from the defrost and side window vents and nothing to the floor. I then lowered the temperature and noticed the air started coming out the floor vents!!

I have since determined, in my case anyways, that the full defrost mode will only work if at least one side of the temperature slider is full hot. Sync mode was the same. It would only go full defrost if the temperature is full hot.

I get why I couldn't get it to work other times is because usually it's in auto mode set at 21 degrees. And when switching to defrost mode I wouldn't normally change the temperature as well, It's usually blowing hot enough air in the winter. But it seemed to be consistent so far. Time will tell on more trips but it's the only thing that I've found to be repeatable and makes sense why I wouldn't have figured this out much sooner.

Put er on full hot and let me know if that doesn't do the trick.

Jason

Jason & @willtoride,

You might try the Canadian version of RamCares to see if they might help expedite a more permanent solution.

I understand that RamCares in the US has often been instrumental in acting as a liaison with dealerships and in helping to find a suitable resolution.

Ram Trucks Canada

Ram Trucks Canada. 96,821 likes · 7,116 talking about this · 33 were here. Ram Trucks is joining forces with @RED to help fund life-saving programs. For more information: ramtruck.ca/en/ram-red...

www.facebook.com

Or call: 1-800-465-2001

.

 

[Tulecreeper]

True, but other guys have contributed some great information. New members, first posts, asking for help, little information, pretty much don't bother responding anymore but there is still value to the info the threads generate.

Yes sir, very true. I was only pointing out that if anyone is still actually responding to the OP, he made 4 posts on this forum then bounced.

 

[GTyankee]

For a quick fix: According to Road and Track, this is the fastest way to defog your windshield:
First, turn the heat on its maximum setting because hot air can hold more moisture. Then, turn the AC on, which will pull the moisture from the air as it passes over the cooling coils.

youtuber trick

How to Stop Car Windows Steaming Up

Fed up finding your car is damp with fogged up windows in the morning? Here's a handy tip to help. Fogged up windows is a result of moisture in the car, so i...

www.youtube.com

 

[Dean2]

For a quick fix: According to Road and Track, this is the fastest way to defog your windshield:
First, turn the heat on its maximum setting because hot air can hold more moisture. Then, turn the AC on, which will pull the moisture from the air as it passes over the cooling coils.

You are correct about the AC, it dehumidifies the air much faster than not on. My Ram and GC turn the AC compressor on as soon as defrost is engaged. I think even my 96 Ram did that as well. I leave the AC on, even when heating in winter and not on defrost, because it dries the air much better.

 

[Dean2]

It is 70 F today, heater was set on 68, so it was actually cooling a bit. Turned on the defroster and it works perfect. Lots of air out of all the dash vents and the ones that blow on the side windows. Could not reaĺy feel any on the floor but i also didn’t run it for that long. Maybe 2 minutes at most. Will try this again when it is colder in the morning.