Dripping under dash!
Discussion
This doesn't sound like the usual water ingress story from the bulkhead:
I had a holdall packed tightly under the passenger side dash (yes, this contained my mobile car cleaning kit!
) and with the a/c on a little bit of water dripped onto the bag from the grill under the footwell. It seemed like this was normal a/c produced moisture and it pooled because the bag was blocking its escape via the grill - system is working perfectly - sound familiar to anyone?
I had a holdall packed tightly under the passenger side dash (yes, this contained my mobile car cleaning kit!
) and with the a/c on a little bit of water dripped onto the bag from the grill under the footwell. It seemed like this was normal a/c produced moisture and it pooled because the bag was blocking its escape via the grill - system is working perfectly - sound familiar to anyone?
This is from an earlier post of mine on the same subject:
Dear all:
This is something that you may also want to check when your speedometer acts up. It may just save you the expense of replacing the speedometer or the wheel sensor needlessly. Condensation from the a/c expansion valve can drip onto the speedometer connector that sits below it in the footwell. This has happened to me twice now on very humid days. Mine has fixed itself each time just by drying out over the next couple of days, but the real fix for this is detailed below:
From the 2006 US Assembly Manual, pages 48-50:
18. Intermitted Erratic, or Inoperative Speedometer It has come to our attention that under certain conditions moisture can build up in the speedometer sensor plug under the dash, if this should occur, erratic or no speedometer operation can result. Under humid driving conditions, exiting and entering the vehicle can cause the A/C expansion valve and evaporator lines to sweat heavily. This condensation can drip onto electric components under the A/C unit. If this moisture enters the speedometer sensor plug, it can fowl up or even block the signal all together. To correct this problem A/C insulation tape can be used to seal the expansion valve from the humid air. To check for this condition, remove the fuse/relay access panel in the passenger side foot well. Check for a wet carpet directly under the expansion valve on the left side of the A/C box. Separate the speedometer plug and check for moisture inside the plug.
Any of these conditions indicates the likelihood of condensation dripping from the expansion valve above. Note: This should be check when these symptoms are occurring. If the car sits any length of time these area can dry out and the problem may go away.
To eliminate this condition the expansion valve and exposed metal lines off of the HVAC box must be covered with a special tar like material referred to as A/C insulation tape.
Left photo is of the label for the Four Seasons brand sold at most auto parts stores. To install, remove the lower dash cover under the radio for easy access to the components. The expansion valve must be dry and close to room temperature for the tape to stick properly. Cut three 9” long strips from the tape.
Start at the box and wrap the tape around the valve and line. Push it up tight against the box. Wrap the two other strips around the components, slightly overlapping each. Mold the tape tightly around the components.
When finished all of the metal parts of the A/C expansion valve and pressure lines should be covered and sealed off. Start the engine and run the A/C. Check for any dripping around the tape. If this occurs, look for an exposed area. The Speedometer operation should return to normal once the plug is dried out. With the plug apart use a hair dryer or shop air to dry out the plug connection.
Hope that helps.
Craig
Dear all:
This is something that you may also want to check when your speedometer acts up. It may just save you the expense of replacing the speedometer or the wheel sensor needlessly. Condensation from the a/c expansion valve can drip onto the speedometer connector that sits below it in the footwell. This has happened to me twice now on very humid days. Mine has fixed itself each time just by drying out over the next couple of days, but the real fix for this is detailed below:
From the 2006 US Assembly Manual, pages 48-50:
18. Intermitted Erratic, or Inoperative Speedometer It has come to our attention that under certain conditions moisture can build up in the speedometer sensor plug under the dash, if this should occur, erratic or no speedometer operation can result. Under humid driving conditions, exiting and entering the vehicle can cause the A/C expansion valve and evaporator lines to sweat heavily. This condensation can drip onto electric components under the A/C unit. If this moisture enters the speedometer sensor plug, it can fowl up or even block the signal all together. To correct this problem A/C insulation tape can be used to seal the expansion valve from the humid air. To check for this condition, remove the fuse/relay access panel in the passenger side foot well. Check for a wet carpet directly under the expansion valve on the left side of the A/C box. Separate the speedometer plug and check for moisture inside the plug.
Any of these conditions indicates the likelihood of condensation dripping from the expansion valve above. Note: This should be check when these symptoms are occurring. If the car sits any length of time these area can dry out and the problem may go away.
To eliminate this condition the expansion valve and exposed metal lines off of the HVAC box must be covered with a special tar like material referred to as A/C insulation tape.
Left photo is of the label for the Four Seasons brand sold at most auto parts stores. To install, remove the lower dash cover under the radio for easy access to the components. The expansion valve must be dry and close to room temperature for the tape to stick properly. Cut three 9” long strips from the tape.
Start at the box and wrap the tape around the valve and line. Push it up tight against the box. Wrap the two other strips around the components, slightly overlapping each. Mold the tape tightly around the components.
When finished all of the metal parts of the A/C expansion valve and pressure lines should be covered and sealed off. Start the engine and run the A/C. Check for any dripping around the tape. If this occurs, look for an exposed area. The Speedometer operation should return to normal once the plug is dried out. With the plug apart use a hair dryer or shop air to dry out the plug connection.
Hope that helps.
Craig
Craig, will look into this.Gassing Station | Noble | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff