Hey ZhiDouers,
It's getting colder and humid in the area where I live. So the windshield and door glass fog up from the inside when the air conditioner is switched off.
In ZhiDou the logic of the air blower unit is quite primitive: when the temperature is set to the blue zone (cool), the air conditioner turns on. When the temperature of the blower is set to the red zone (heat), the air conditioner is switched off.
When it's cold outside, you want to heat the interior (or at least not to cool it more, ha-ha), but it means the air conditioner is switched off. And without it, the windshield and side door glass fog up. Therefore, the driver periodically (like every 3-5 mins) has to rotate the handle between cool/heat to unfog the glass or heat the interior a bit.
I changed the interior air filter. I use the outside air mode (no recirculation). I use the "blow to the windshield" only mode. But without success. It only defogs with the air conditioner turned on.
I used a glass spray that should help stop fogging. It helped, but very little. I thought of dropping some "sponges " inside that collect humidity from the air.
I also thought if it's possible to "hack" the Zhidou air system so the air conditioner would always be switched on.
I'm writing here to first ask if it's only me fighting (without success) this problem.
Second, has anyone solved the problem?
Windshield and side door glass fogging up
Re: Windshield and side door glass fogging up
The system could probably be modified to run both the air conditioning and the heating simultaneously, BUT... at least on the D1, both the cooling and heating draw power from the same fuse (and supply line), turning both on at once would overload and blow it. Another issue is the component sequence: the A/C evaporator comes first, followed by the heater. While the air passing through the PTC heater would be dehumidified, that moisture would remain on the A/C evaporator. Since the incoming outside air is already below freezing, the evaporator would quickly freeze solid, effectively choking off airflow completely—plus, there is a risk of damaging the evaporator, as the ice might not melt for days in freezing temperatures.
I had the same problem, but I was advised to just turn the heating up to the max and let it run for 30–40 minutes—and it actually worked. It dried out the ducting, and the window stopped getting damp when the heat was on. Yes, the interior humidity does rise when it’s raining heavily outside, but at the first sign of fogging, I switch on the A/C for a minute, and I’m good for the next 15 minutes—which is usually enough time to reach my destination and park the car. So... give that a try, and also check to see if water is leaking in from somewhere or if there’s water trapped in the floor insulation under the carpet—either from a leak or from your shoes.
I had the same problem, but I was advised to just turn the heating up to the max and let it run for 30–40 minutes—and it actually worked. It dried out the ducting, and the window stopped getting damp when the heat was on. Yes, the interior humidity does rise when it’s raining heavily outside, but at the first sign of fogging, I switch on the A/C for a minute, and I’m good for the next 15 minutes—which is usually enough time to reach my destination and park the car. So... give that a try, and also check to see if water is leaking in from somewhere or if there’s water trapped in the floor insulation under the carpet—either from a leak or from your shoes.
Re: Windshield and side door glass fogging up
I would also check the rubber plugs/grommets on the underside of the vehicle. If the carpet underneath the floor carpet is damp, it could be worth checking them from below. I had a car where one of the rubber plugs was actually missing, allowing moisture to get inside.
Otherwise, turning the heating to maximum helps me as well, especially at the beginning. I usually leave it running at full power for a while and open the passenger window slightly to let the humid air escape. It seems to dry the interior much faster and helps prevent the windows from fogging up.
Otherwise, turning the heating to maximum helps me as well, especially at the beginning. I usually leave it running at full power for a while and open the passenger window slightly to let the humid air escape. It seems to dry the interior much faster and helps prevent the windows from fogging up.