'86 245 w/poor defroster performance

[adjunct]

This has been an intermittent problem with my 1986 240 wagon, but it now seems constant. I turn the heat on, then hit the defroster button for the windshield, and the vents for the defroster just barely put out any air- enough to defrost a small circle just above the vents, but never enough to actually clear the windshield. I've gotten used to bringing a roll of paper towels to soak up extra condensation, but since moving to a place with considerably colder winters, it's now become a problem of actual frost on the inside of the windshield.

Any ideas?

[Kushballz]

While the car is running, push and hold in the defrost button all the way and back it out just a little bit. Do you hear a little hissing noise? Do your other buttons like the floor and retric options work? If not, you may have a vacuum leak. If it helps, you can close the vents (facing you and the passenger) so that most of the air will come out of the defrost and floor vents. Connections that I know of which control the vent routing are behind the glove box, behind the odometer above the brake pedal area, and at the location of the switch. I don't remember where the vacuum source is, but I would there also if you can find it. Sometimes the vacuum controlled air deflectors can get stuck open or closed, depending on how often you use them. All these valves (that i know of) can be accessed by removing the upholstery above where the driver and front passenger put their feet. Hope this helps at all!

[adjunct]

I've been on the road quite a bit, so this is the first chance I've had to reply. Probably not a vacuum leak- got a nice healthy hiss when checking the floor, defrost, and recirc buttons. I will check out other options, but right now am having a bigger problem, so it will have to wait.

[adjunct]

Turns out it was a vacuum leak, had the hose replaced while having a new alternator installed. Thanks for the help.