morning frost inside windshield
#1
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morning frost inside windshield
I happen to have an 03 Bonneville but I'm posting here because this is probably a much wider problem, probably beyond GM for that matter. This past winter for the first time in 50 years of driving, several times I found morning frost inside my windshield. That was an annoyance - hard to reach, hard to clean without streaking, and dripping as the car warmed up. Also for the first time ever there would be lots of snow inside the front doors' hinge side - not boot snow, just blown in. I assume that snow caused the windshield frost. Maybe not? Finally, also for the first time ever my unlocked driver side door was frozen shut with no external ice on it, had to pry it open and then vaseline the gasket. But I can't find any obvious damage that would allow snow inside the doors.
When the car was in for service over the winter I told the old-timer about this. He took a look around and guessed that maybe it was the missing recirculating-air filter and put in a new one. No difference.
I'm now thinking of asking a body shop or god forbid the dealer if they have any ideas, but thought I'd ask here first.
When the car was in for service over the winter I told the old-timer about this. He took a look around and guessed that maybe it was the missing recirculating-air filter and put in a new one. No difference.
I'm now thinking of asking a body shop or god forbid the dealer if they have any ideas, but thought I'd ask here first.
#3
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#4
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did anyone ever get into the door trim? there is a plastic shield held by butyl that has to be in place there as well. the only issues i have personally had was with sunroofs. to me doesnt seem hard, get one of those plastic tool removal kits so you dont scratch the paint, and go to it.
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Thanks again Justin.
By the "door trim" I take it you mean the black rubbery plastic stuff that goes around at least the top and front of the door? By "get into" I bet you mean take a look and fix if need be? I've taken a look but I don't see any cracks or gaps. I'll look at this removal tool but I have to tell you I might trust myself to remove things in general but not much to assemble or install new stuff. Even when I was 30 I burned my car to the ground from being ignorant. Now I'm 67 and while I may be more careful I'm just as apt to make mistakes.
did anyone ever get into the door trim? there is a plastic shield held by butyl that has to be in place there as well. the only issues i have personally had was with sunroofs. to me doesnt seem hard, get one of those plastic tool removal kits so you dont scratch the paint, and go to it.
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#6
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I would check in the trunk in the spare tire well and at the sides for water in the carpet or under the spare due to a leak.
Also check under the carpet on the back floor and the fronts for moisture/water. Do you have a sunroof with the drain tubes?
Also check the doors to be sure there are open drain holes. There are 3 or 4 along each door bottom edge. Need to lie on the ground to find those.
Also check under the carpet on the back floor and the fronts for moisture/water. Do you have a sunroof with the drain tubes?
Also check the doors to be sure there are open drain holes. There are 3 or 4 along each door bottom edge. Need to lie on the ground to find those.
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WilliamE (04-15-2014)
#7
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Thanks again Justin.
By the "door trim" I take it you mean the black rubbery plastic stuff that goes around at least the top and front of the door? By "get into" I bet you mean take a look and fix if need be? I've taken a look but I don't see any cracks or gaps. I'll look at this removal tool but I have to tell you I might trust myself to remove things in general but not much to assemble or install new stuff. Even when I was 30 I burned my car to the ground from being ignorant. Now I'm 67 and while I may be more careful I'm just as apt to make mistakes.
By the "door trim" I take it you mean the black rubbery plastic stuff that goes around at least the top and front of the door? By "get into" I bet you mean take a look and fix if need be? I've taken a look but I don't see any cracks or gaps. I'll look at this removal tool but I have to tell you I might trust myself to remove things in general but not much to assemble or install new stuff. Even when I was 30 I burned my car to the ground from being ignorant. Now I'm 67 and while I may be more careful I'm just as apt to make mistakes.
#8
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Thanks. The spare well was actually suggested by another old-time at the station, but it seems to ignore the snow in the front doors and suggests condensation traveling a few feet instead of happening on the nearest glass. Further, he'* not a mechanic so I never checked. But now I will, sometime after this rain stops. I did check under the carpets and it seemed fine. I do have the usual sunroof, always dry, I can only assume drain tubes.
I never thought of, didn't know about the door drain holes. I'll need to have someone else check those.
I never thought of, didn't know about the door drain holes. I'll need to have someone else check those.
#9
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So back to one of my original questions. Considering all this, should I bother to take it to a decent body shop? Maybe I'll try getting a diagnosis and estimate...
Last edited by 03SLE-SteelBlue; 04-15-2014 at 12:54 PM.