Instrument Panel Fogging - Cures?

timb · Aug 24, 2004

It looks like I also have a mild dose of the infamous Deere intrument cluster fogging issue. For the first time this past weekend, I noticed a little fog forming over the hour meter/tach area while out mowing. The patch climbed up and to the right, partly disappeared but didn't go completely away until I had parked again for the day inside the barn. I'll keep an eye on it and if it gets really bad I'll call the dealer - but in looking through old posts it doesn't look like there's a sure cure via Deere anyway.

I was wondering if anyone has tried any home-grown cures yet? I'm not going to do anything anytime soon to the panel but I was brainstorming some thoughts for a cure down the road. One of the idiot lights that are hydro-only (2nd from the left) is not used on mine so I was considering removing the bulb holder and mounting a micro-sized 12v 'computer' pancake fan over the opening to force-ventilate the cluster.

Any ideas?

beenthere · Aug 24, 2004

It's not a problem confined to Deere, and Deere cured mine.

I thought Deere (as did the service mgr) would replace the instrument panel as it is an integral unit, however when it came, the service tech said the glass (plastic) lens was separate. They didn't know if it would work, but it has never fogged up since. So how they cured it, I don't know. They just did.

Why it continues to be a problem on new models and other brands, I don't know, as one would think the fix would come with all the new ones.

Your solution sounds like a good possibility. I hope you get a chance to try it out.
I thought about drilling holes to vent the moisture that is obviously inside the instrument panel, had Deere not cured it when they did.

timb · Aug 24, 2004

Yeah - I have seen posts from other brands as well. Kind of like the mysteriously self-loosening wheel lug nuts issue that is non-color specific. I don't understand why this should be a problem in the first place.

I did look up the 'kit' on JDParts - all that shows in the diagram is a new cover 'glass', doesn't mention if it includes some type of anti-fog coating or what. Only costs $21 or so, so you know it can't include much.

I think I'll just wait and until (and if) there is a better reason to have the dealer take the tractor in for service, then I'll have them install the kit. But some day when I get nosy I'll check out how much room there would be for a tiny pancake fan back there.

Dave4410 · Aug 26, 2004

Are you sure that little fan wouldn't draw a lot of dust in to your instrument panel? The Deere tech tells me the cause is the heat from the motor being blown back by the radiator fan. Perhaps you might want to try deflecting that heat with a shield. Let us know what works. I don't have that problem however, if it were to develop on my tractor, it would be great to knbow a cure in advance.

stuart · Aug 26, 2004

I like the idea of some sort of barrier-like insulation keeping the offensive heat/moisture out of the instrument cluster. I have a 4300 and took the cure by changing the glass and it got rid of 80% of the problem but there is still some sign. Good luck I will follow the thread. Let us know how it comes out.

sneaky_pete · Aug 26, 2004

Paint the tractor orange. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

But if you figure out the real answer, please tell Harley-Davidson - they have the same problem (with no radiator by the way) on machines that cost as much as a good CUT.

Pete