No Defogger!!

[KDMatt]

So I just took my Z for a quick jaunt in the rain, and was surprised to discover that, for some reason, the vents on top of the dash that one would normally use to defog their windows... don't do anything!

I flipped the switch on the console to "Def" and flipped the temperature switch to "Hot" and the fan to "4" ... and there was absolutely nothing coming out of the top of the dash. There was lots of air coming out of the vents facing me, but nothing from on top...

I was lucky I was only a few blocks from home, otherwise there would've been a serious disaster on my hands.

Help me! :sick:

[MikeW]

I flipped the switch on the console to "Def" and flipped the temperature switch to "Hot" and the fan to "4" ... and there was absolutely nothing coming out of the top of the dash.

Doesn't the bottom switch have to be to the left?

[TomoHawk]

Check the cable from the function lever to the heater unit. the cable moves the door for the defogger flap to move. If that's not it, check your vaccuum hoses, both to the engine and to the heater's function lever. Vaccuum makes the doors move to change the airflow. If you always get air out the middle, the flapper isn't closing off to the center, although a little air usually comes through the middle.

thx

[KDMatt]

Yeah... that sounds right...

So.. the flapper isn't closing eh? ... Great... juuuust great...

That sounds like a big ordeal to fix... so for now I'll just keep a manual defogger in the glove box (aka: a hand towel).

[EScanlon]

....I flipped the switch on the console to "Def" and flipped the temperature switch to "Hot" and the fan to "4" ...

You don't mention what position you put the TOP lever in. It MUST be in the HEAT position for the DEFROST Lever to actually send air to the defrost vents.

If the top lever is on VENT, then that's all you have...a vent and the air comes out the center and side "eyeballs".

HTH

Enrique

[KDMatt]

That's what I'm saying, the top lever was on "Def"

The one under and to the left was on "Hot"

... and the fan switch was on "4"

[EScanlon]

I'd forgotten that you have a 280.

On the 240's there are 3 levers. If the topmost one is set to VENT then the other two are rendered null. The other two only apply in the HEAT position.

E

[dogma420]

would be nice to be told you have a 280 in the future....

under your dash, above your gas pedal (us cars) is the whatmacallit that the cable from the level you have 'def' set to...it takes a bit of pressure to open up that vent (or close) so the cable can get screwed up...I've had to reach up and just manually change it with my hand...no biggie...going to change the cables eventually.

[DatsunZsRule]

Yeah, that sucks. I agree it's probably the cable that needs replacing

Did you ever get that thing tuned up yet??? :laugh:

Never a shortage of things to do huh

[KDMatt]

would be nice to be told you have a 280 in the future....

D'oh!

Fergot 'bout that! I guess also part of it could've been arrogance, 'just naturally assuming that the operation of the heater was the same on all Z's... anyway .. yeheah... oops...

Heh, yeah, anyway, I'm tuning up tomorrow. I've got the dizzy cap, rotor, and ignition wires sitting behind me.

The sparkplugs won't be in 'til 8 AM tomorrow. None of the places I talked to stock the NGK plugs, and have to order them into the store. Lucky for me though, my local auto parts store has a bunch in their warehouse, and a phone call today will get me plugs tomorrow.

Oh, also, I've got fusible link covers now. I have no fear driving in the rain... except for the fogging of the windows! :knockedou

Hey, a quick question. What are some good parts to lube/apply grease to when doing an ignition tune up like I'm proposing?

I picked up a small tube of dielectric grease today, thinking it'd be good to have some when I do the stuff tomorrow. What are some good places to apply it?

I'd naturally assume the threads on the sparkplugs and the metal/ceramic near the top where it meets the boot need some grease... Do I need to apply any to the rotor or points in the distributor cap? It looks like there's the possibility for a lot of contact friction in there.

Opinions and past experiences are greatly appreciated.

[sblake01]

I'd forgotten that you have a 280.......E

would be nice to be told you have a 280 in the future.....

It's in his signature.

[Pennyman]

Did you check to make sure the air tubing isn't disconnected from the dash underneath and just spilling out under the dash? That's a quick fix.

My heater works two ways, on the windshield or at my feet, and the vent works shooting out the front and that's it. Simple and easy. All started when my heater control valve started leaking, hehe.