1) When using my a/c, I get that condensation on the outside of the windshield where the defrost area is. How can I fix that?

2) The other day, for the first time, on the first run of the day, my car was reluctant to go into 3rd gear. I let off the accelerator pedal and got the speed down to about 25, then accelerated again, expecting it to go into 3rd gear at about 40 mph. Didn't do it. It finally did, then the car was ok for the rest of the day. Yesterday, same thing. Reluctant to shift into 3rd for the first run of the day. Any ideas?

I checked the vac hoses, all seems well. I got a new filter that is by the passenger wheel well, I've been told it goes into the vac pump. I tried to change it, but it's stuck on there pretty good. Any idea how I can get this off without ruining any hoses?

Thanks,

Jeff 1991 300d, 111k

Well, if your AC wasn't so cold, that wouldn't happen........

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

1. Drive in a less humid area. or lower the blower speed, the ac is chilling your windshield and outside air is condensing like a cold can of pop.
2. lots of possibles here, how is your fluid level, it's kinda critical. your shift position cable may be out of adjustment. how long has it been since the trans fluid was replaced?

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

I replaced the trans fluids last year at a shop. The guy overfilled it by A LOT, so I had him take some out. I think we got the fluid level to the right amount back then, but I will double check it. Thanks for the reminder.

jeff

For #1, the problem is caused by cold air leaking out the defroster vents, causing condensation on the windshield. The defroster vents on the 124 chassis have three positions - full defrost, just a little bit of defrost, and closed. The vacuum actuator for the defrost flaps has two rubber diaphrams. The main one is responsible for moving the defrost door about to about the 80% closed position. On your car this one works fine. The second diaphram takes it from 80% to 100% shut, and this one has failed.

When you start the car the CCU calls for 80% shut for the first 30 seconds or so - this is to clear any condensation off the inside of the windshield. Then it calls for 100% shut to cool the interior. Hence the two stage design of the defroster system.

The good news is the vacuum actuator for the defrost flap can be replaced by removing the glove box/passenger airbag. It does not require removing the dashboard.

Other ways to fix the problem include moving to the desert or laying a towel across the base of the windshield to block the cold air flow.

- JimY