Excessive fogging/ice build up

[Retrospekt]

When I drive in humid conditions like snow or rain, the inside of my windows fog up like crazy. Doesn't matter how many people are in the car with me. Sometimes ice builds up on the inside of the windshield also. I know this probably has something to do with air leaks and the car being old.

How much am I looking at to replace weather stripping?

[BMR]

I can't answer the question you asked, but I have to ask; do you run the A/C in those conditions? It helps enormously to do so.

[JohnGD]

Did you run AC? Also, make sure the drain tube is not clogged and that condensate can flow out.

Originally Posted by Retrospekt

When I drive in humid conditions like snow or rain, the inside of my windows fog up like crazy. Doesn't matter how many people are in the car with me. Sometimes ice builds up on the inside of the windshield also. I know this probably has something to do with air leaks and the car being old.

How much am I looking at to replace weather stripping?

[Retrospekt]

I did not run the A/C. I can't even imagine having to do that if it's snowing outside.

Where is the drain tube located?

[Kenny_McCormic]

Guys, this is not an AC problem, its the middle of winter in Chicago! Are you using defrost? Do you know what defrost is/does?

[haux]

The A/C doesn't make the air colder... it "conditions" it. Hence air "conditioning." I have no idea how to explain it but the air quality is better. If I turn the A/C off and have the heat going in cold weather, my windshield will fog up. Then I turn the A/C back on, switch over the defrost and the fog goes away.

[JohnGD]

The cabin moisture comes from people breathing.

Defrost just blows the air toward the windshield. On many cheap Toyota models it doesn't even engage the AC compressor. You have to do it manually.

But normally elsewhere defrost engages the AC compressor. The further drop in cabin temperature decreases the moisture the air can hold, and the moisture condensates out. OP has to make sure the moisture drains out the drain tube and that's not frozen shut.

Originally Posted by Kenny_McCormic

Guys, this is not an AC problem, its the middle of winter in Chicago! Are you using defrost? Do you know what defrost is/does?

[Retrospekt]

I use my rear defroster and I point the heat at all the windows/windshield. I'll try air conditioning next time, but when I say I fog up, I mean INSTANTLY. I get in the car, start it up and while I'm waiting for it to warm up it fogs up within a minute.

Where is the drain tube?

I did hear that excess moisture (snow on shoes) can cause the moisture to rise up and freeze on the inside of my windshield, which I think is what happened today since I was pretty careless after entering my car.

And remember, this is Chicago. 17 degrees Fahrenheit outside right now.

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by haux

The A/C doesn't make the air colder... it "conditions" it. Hence air "conditioning." I have no idea how to explain it but the air quality is better. If I turn the A/C off and have the heat going in cold weather, my windshield will fog up. Then I turn the A/C back on, switch over the defrost and the fog goes away.

+1

With my Avalon I have to add the A/C manually, but with my Highlander the A/C is turned on automatically in both defrost modes. Running the A/C works miracles. Also, clean the inside of your windshield. Dirt, oils, dust, etc., act as nucleating particles that moisture form around, much as they do with rain or snow. You'd be amazed at how less quickly your windshield will fog up and, if it gets fogged up at all, how quickly it will clear if the inside of your windshield is clean.

[the_professional]

I never run my A/C, and my windows never fog, I understand it is different with you guys, as with friends who also use A/C when defrosting.

Make sure air is on "outside" air, not recirculate, and fog goes away in less than a minute. I am glad it is manual, I hate running the A/C. & like TD said, keep your windows clean.

[haux]

My A/C control unit (2000 Camry) has a button for A/C, Recirc, and Rear Window Defrost. So, the A/C button basically stayed pressed at all times. Once I push it in it stays that way. I see no reason to turn it off since it makes the air quality a thousand times better. I never use the Air Recirculation button either.

[White95Cam]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

The cabin moisture comes from people breathing.

Defrost just blows the air toward the windshield. On many cheap Toyota models it doesn't even engage the AC compressor. You have to do it manually.

But normally elsewhere defrost engages the AC compressor. The further drop in cabin temperature decreases the moisture the air can hold, and the moisture condensates out. OP has to make sure the moisture drains out the drain tube and that's not frozen shut.

John is correct. Cars with auto set climate control engages the a/c compressor in defrost mode. It removes the humidity from the cabin that comes from respiration and damp clothes. The compressor cycles in short bursts and does not effect the level of heat. I believe that the build up in moisture comes from the fact these cars are so well sealed. I actually use this configuration more in the rainy summer months than during the winter. If there is a low dew point then I don't have any fogging issues.
W95c

[ricamryman]

I have VentVisors installed on my windows, if I get some fogging, I crack a window, & the fog clears right up.....

[Lightning Blue]

Does the 2001 Camry turn on the AC with the Defrost or do I have to do it manually?

[JohnGD]

That happens on cold mornings above freezing. Doesn't have to be Chicago winter.

Sure, let us know how manually engaging the AC works. Depending on how "warm" your cabin is at the time, the compressor may or may not engage. But just turn it on, let it decide its own work and let us know.

The drain tube is center towards the passenger side, just rear of the fire wall. If yo look under the car at that spot, you should see the very tip of a rubber hose sticking out of the floor pan. Often it's clogged up with spider web and such. Maybe in Chicago it's just iced up?

Originally Posted by Retrospekt

I use my rear defroster and I point the heat at all the windows/windshield. I'll try air conditioning next time, but when I say I fog up, I mean INSTANTLY. I get in the car, start it up and while I'm waiting for it to warm up it fogs up within a minute.

Where is the drain tube?

I did hear that excess moisture (snow on shoes) can cause the moisture to rise up and freeze on the inside of my windshield, which I think is what happened today since I was pretty careless after entering my car.

And remember, this is Chicago. 17 degrees Fahrenheit outside right now.