2013 Defrost system lacking

[Chewy]

So, this morning on the way to work the window frosted up so badly on the inside that I had to drive with my head out the window so I could find a place to pull over. Is anyone else having any issues like this? See the picture of the windshield. In the middle of the picture you can see where I tried to scrub away the frost and it instantly froze. When I left the house the windows were clean this happened three quarters of a mile later. This seems to be a very common occurrence lately. It only seems to happen when it's bitterly cold; this morning it was -13°F.

Any thoughts? I've never had any of my vehicles ever do this before.






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[RocketFoot]

I found mine works better on full defrost setting. If I set it to defrost/floor heat, the defrost isn't as strong.

 

[Thaylin]

My wife had the same issue today on our 2014. Make sure you put defrost on Full windshield, full heat, and also push to turn on the AC. People think that the AC is only to make things colder, but in actuality AC removes moisture… and doesn’t care if it’s hot or cold air. This will help to keep moisture from the cab condensing on the cold glass.

 

[Two Dog]

Make sure you're not on recirculate.

 

[Power247]

This happened to my '12 when we had our cold snap a few weeks back. But mine frosted on the inside of the windshield!!! Turned out that I had the 3rd brakelight leaking so the defrost was sucking up the damp air and blowing it up on the windshield.

 

[WhiteExpress]

I have never seen that. I wonder if your defrost isn't functioning properly?!
The AC (compressor anywho) should automatically come on when you switch to defrost.

It looks like there is a lot of humidity in your air there, of course your evap core might be frozen solid too.

 

[Chewy]

It wasn't on recirculate, was on high, front defrost button pushed, and AC on even though it SHOULD come on automatically like every other car I've owned.

The windshield is frosted on the inside. I was literally driving down the interstate with my front windows cracked open and my rear window open. I don't WTF is wrong, but it goes from OK to BAM can't see within 2-3 seconds.

I now have snow INSIDE my vehicle. It came in the rear window since it's a negative pressure area.

 

[PostalTwo]

Sorry to hear of your troubles. Was ur truck at operating temp . If so I would take to the dealer for them to look at . Were u on defrost the whole time ? Defrost will turn on the ac weather it shows the ac light or not its still on. Pressure switches in the system stop freezing in the evap core from happening so I doubt thats the problem.gl hope u get if figured out ive had no issues with either my 12 of my 14 so far (knock on wood) either way i hope the dealer take care of if for ya

 

[LovMyRam]

Maybe unrelated but do you have the stock thermostat in? Sounds like the AC isn't removing all the moisture in the air. Did you have wet clothes/boots when you got in? Sometimes that moisture evaporates on the windshield, seen that first hand.

 

[canadianhillbilly]

I have this happen in my G8. It usually happens if I have snow on the hood or bottom of window it will suck into the heating intake and instantly fog my windows. Also I have weather tech floor mats and lots of snow gets trapped in them and melts and with the road salt never really freezes solid again so its like theres a puddle there alot. I have found that putting the heat on the floor until the heater is up to temp then put on defrost works best in my car.

 

[chopperman1]

Sure sounds to me like you got some serious moisture circulating around in there. Are you running winter mats in the truck? I've noticed they tend to trap an awful lot of water. I keep a towel/rag in there to mop them up once in a while. What about the carpets, especially around the passenger side, those wet? Another little trick (as silly as it sounds) you can try is to put down your sun visors. It make it like a little oven all around the windshield and give it a nice kick, melts everything like crazy, I've been doing that for years on my cars.

 

[03MopaRamman]

That happens when it goes from warm outside or a warm vehicle parked and then the Temperature Dips, Once Truck is warm or you drive 2-3 miles to get the T-stat needle to come up then you are Good. No reason otherwise. You need to respond wether or not you have heat. Every once in a while a fellow has to scrape the inside of the window to get going but like I said usually within a mile you get a small oval area to stare out of...lOL. Putting the -35 Windshield washer fluid squirters thaws the outside, you just have to squirt every 5 wipes of the wipers when you get going for the first 1/2 a mile.
Good luck!

 

[NYCruiser]

There is a recall on the '13's for this. Could be you are affected:

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Recall Date: 05/07/2013
Summary:
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 RAM 1500 trucks manufactured June 25, 2012, through December 12, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the coolant bypass valve may stick in a position that does not allow coolant to flow into the heater core. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Vehicle Motor Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."
Potential Number of Units Affected: 498
Consequence:
Without a properly working windshield defrosting system, a buildup of mositure or ice could limit the driver's ability to see, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy:
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace replace the suspect coolant valves along with an updated calibration, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in June 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N25.
Notes:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to Home | Safercar -- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
NHTSA Campaign ID: 13V177000