FCA Windshield Defroster Coverage Fix - S1924000008

[californiajeeping]

I wonder if there is a way to insert a bent flathead screwdriver into the sections without air flow to open up the pinched areas without causing damage to either the dash, vent, or windshield. To see down into the vent, maybe put two camera phones in video conference mode, FaceTime or Zoom, as a way navigate in real time. Could sacrifice an old screwdriver and bend it or pick up and old one for cheap at a garage sale.

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[nU7OuxIx]

I wonder if there is a way to insert a bent flathead screwdriver into the sections without air flow to open up the pinched areas without causing damage to either the dash, vent, or windshield. To see down into the vent, maybe put two camera phones in video conference mode, FaceTime or Zoom, as a way navigate in real time. Could sacrifice an old screwdriver and bend it or pick up and old one for cheap at a garage sale.

I just did an exploration using my phone in video mode and a led flashlight stick. It worked well. I was able to figure out nothing was pinched. There is a small protrusion but it's nothing like what is shown in the picture.

 

[viper88]

Looks like it's hit or miss with having this problem? This explains why some owners like myself did not have any issues with the vents clearing my windshield in defrost mode on my 2019. And other did. I should check my 2022. Fingers crossed for even air flow from the defroster vents this time around!

 

[viper88]

I wonder if there is a way to insert a bent flathead screwdriver into the sections without air flow to open up the pinched areas without causing damage to either the dash, vent, or windshield. To see down into the vent, maybe put two camera phones in video conference mode, FaceTime or Zoom, as a way navigate in real time. Could sacrifice an old screwdriver and bend it or pick up and old one for cheap at a garage sale.

Maybe try looking and fixing with the windshield in the down position?

 

[Exact Center]

FCA Windshield Defroster Fix
Front Defrost Only Clears Part Of The Windshield

I think I may have the same issue as the lower-left windshield seems to frost quickly.

 

[californiajeeping]

Has anyone had a dealership successfully implement this fix yet?

 

[Exact Center]

Has anyone had a dealership successfully implement this fix yet?

Tony 3D printed me the fix [email protected] and it works
was much easier than going to a dealer

Has anyone had a dealership successfully implement this fix yet?

 

[ForzaNature]

Maybe try looking and fixing with the windshield in the down position?

Exactly. I pushed the window out so I could get straight down on the problem. My vent looked a lot like the one in the bulletin picture, just not quite as bad. I was able to shine a light in there and take two fb screwdrivers to push and bend the vent back into place. Looks much better now and as far as I can tell it's in the proper position. Seems like a small improvement in airflow when checking by hand. Need to wait for a frosty morning or some serious window fogging to give it a try. May still put some plugs in the center just to step up the flow on the ends.

 

[Chief_Dan]

As others have mentioned, lower the windshield & you can tell. I did the same as @ForzaNature but it just didn't work out very well. I got a new screen protector for the 8.4" screen & while I had the dash kind of apart for that, I removed the dash panels & 8.4" system to get to the center stack for the HVAC & straightened it all up, pretty easy actually. Works great now, even better than when I had the plugs in there.

FWIW always good to repost helpful items.

Now, I had to take my 2020 JLUR in for the software recall earlier last year & took the print off of the star case with me & gave it to the service advisor & told him my HVAC looked just like the pic & would not go all the way to the edges. About an hour later they stated my Jeep was ready, work sheet stated "operates as designed". I pulled back into the service lane, got the advisor back over, clicked a quick video using my phone while he watched & then showed him where mine looked just like the one in the star case pic. Then I told them they would never touch my Jeep again. Left & fixed it myself. It really isn't that hard to do, most of the dash panels just pop off. There are videos showing how to pull the dash on YouTube, don't know if they have one just for this yet. Having some interior trim tools make it real easy.

 

[ForzaNature]

As others have mentioned, lower the windshield & you can tell. I did the same as @ForzaNature but it just didn't work out very well. I got a new screen protector for the 8.4" screen & while I had the dash kind of apart for that, I removed the dash panels & 8.4" system to get to the center stack for the HVAC & straightened it all up, pretty easy actually. Works great now, even better than when I had the plugs in there.

FWIW always good to repost helpful items.

Now, I had to take my 2020 JLUR in for the software recall earlier last year & took the print off of the star case with me & gave it to the service advisor & told him my HVAC looked just like the pic & would not go all the way to the edges. About an hour later they stated my Jeep was ready, work sheet stated "operates as designed". I pulled back into the service lane, got the advisor back over, clicked a quick video using my phone while he watched & then showed him where mine looked just like the one in the star case pic. Then I told them they would never touch my Jeep again. Left & fixed it myself. It really isn't that hard to do, most of the dash panels just pop off. There are videos showing how to pull the dash on YouTube, don't know if they have one just for this yet. Having some interior trim tools make it real easy.

Just curious what had to be “straighten out?” It looked to me like the pinched vent created a restriction just above a round opening in the vent (air feed?) but too hard to tell. Was there other problems beside the pinched vent in yours? I have no reason to take apart the dash at this time other than to fix this, but I really don’t know what I would be looking for.

 

[Chief_Dan]

Just curious what had to be “straighten out?” It looked to me like the pinched vent created a restriction just above a round opening in the vent (air feed?) but too hard to tell. Was there other problems beside the pinched vent in yours? I have no reason to take apart the dash at this time other than to fix this, but I really don’t know what I would be looking for.

Unfortunately, I didn't take any pics or video, I just fixed it. I guess since I'm old & not used to such things, I forgot, sorry about that.

But, the top of the center HVAC duct looks like during assembly, when the robot set it in place, it wasn't seated correctly on the stack below, thus sticking up slightly, causing the dash bottom trim which has the funnel for the defrost vents to pinch the top of the tube in, causing the restriction. Kind of pushing the tube in on itself. Once straightened up it all fits nicely & the flow is MUCH better.

Hope this helps.

 

[2mnycars]

FCA Windshield Defroster Fix
Front Defrost Only Clears Part Of The Windshield

Thanks so much.
This will help me.

DaveL
Toronto

This will too.

"As others have mentioned, lower the windshield & you can tell. I did the same as @ForzaNature but it just didn't work out very well. I got a new screen protector for the 8.4" screen & while I had the dash kind of apart for that, I removed the dash panels & 8.4" system to get to the center stack for the HVAC & straightened it all up, pretty easy actually. Works great now, even better than when I had the plugs in there.

FWIW always good to repost helpful items.

Now, I had to take my 2020 JLUR in for the software recall earlier last year & took the print off of the star case with me & gave it to the service advisor & told him my HVAC looked just like the pic & would not go all the way to the edges. About an hour later they stated my Jeep was ready, work sheet stated "operates as designed". I pulled back into the service lane, got the advisor back over, clicked a quick video using my phone while he watched & then showed him where mine looked just like the one in the star case pic. Then I told them they would never touch my Jeep again. Left & fixed it myself. It really isn't that hard to do, most of the dash panels just pop off. There are videos showing how to pull the dash on YouTube, don't know if they have one just for this yet. Having some interior trim tools make it real easy.
"

Thanks!
DAveL

 

[Dking36]

As others have mentioned, lower the windshield & you can tell. I did the same as @ForzaNature but it just didn't work out very well. I got a new screen protector for the 8.4" screen & while I had the dash kind of apart for that, I removed the dash panels & 8.4" system to get to the center stack for the HVAC & straightened it all up, pretty easy actually. Works great now, even better than when I had the plugs in there.

FWIW always good to repost helpful items.

Now, I had to take my 2020 JLUR in for the software recall earlier last year & took the print off of the star case with me & gave it to the service advisor & told him my HVAC looked just like the pic & would not go all the way to the edges. About an hour later they stated my Jeep was ready, work sheet stated "operates as designed". I pulled back into the service lane, got the advisor back over, clicked a quick video using my phone while he watched & then showed him where mine looked just like the one in the star case pic. Then I told them they would never touch my Jeep again. Left & fixed it myself. It really isn't that hard to do, most of the dash panels just pop off. There are videos showing how to pull the dash on YouTube, don't know if they have one just for this yet. Having some interior trim tools make it real easy.

Can you link the videos of how to do this? I have the defaulty defrost system and it keeps cracking my windshield when I use defrost on high and it’s cold outside. Jeep and the dealership will not help me of course. I needto figure out how to do this. Thank you.

 

[Dking36]

Can you link the videos of how to do this? I have the defaulty defrost system and it keeps cracking my windshield when I use defrost on high and it’s cold outside. Jeep and the dealership will not help me of course. I needto figure out how to do this. Thank you.

Please.

 

[Dking36]

What's the "IP cover"?

I'm also wondering if this issue is contributing to some windshields cracking. If all the heat is being directed to a little area, maybe that spot is getting hotter quicker than it should. I may have to find a mirror and take a peak at mine to see if it looks like this or not.

Yes, it’s cracked my windshield 2x and keep will not help me fix problem.

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