Check engine light and fogging inside

Tiny
LILYK1551
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 DODGE JOURNEY
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 189,000 MILES
The battery and the alternator were replaced within a year or so, no lights came on until right now, check engine light came on (solid) went to take it to auto shop, said it was a “system voltage low”. I drove it around for about twenty or more minutes, light went off.

Secondly, when the car is parked overnight, it fogs up on the inside, if it’s extremely cold, it freezes on the inside. Defroster and heat are coming out warm.
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2021 AT 7:39 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,572 POSTS
Did the fogging start at the same time as the light or before? I ask because it's possible you have a leak that is letting water into the interior on the right side of the car and on that side in the A pillar under the dash is the body control module, if there was a leak it's possible it is leaking onto or into the connections for the BCM and causing both problems. The moisture gets into the carpet, then when you drive the converters and engine and exhaust all get hot. You shut off the car for the night and that moisture condenses on the first parts of the car that gets cold, the glass. The moisture can also bridge wiring connections and cause power drains that may not be noticed until the system cannot keep up and you get the warning light.
To see if there is a leak you will need to remove the under dash close out panels, they are held in with a few push pins. With them out you can look at the areas where the inner panels are and look for signs of water, like stains or deposits. Feel the carpet and see if one area is wet or damper than the rest. One way you could look for a window leak is using a smoke machine, you start the car and turn the blower on high, then move the smoke around the body seams and glass, if you see the smoke start moving you have air from the interior leaking out. There are many videos online about finding leaks and what to look for. Then you need to repair the leak(s) and dry out the interior. For the electronics it will depend on where you find leaks.
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Tuesday, February 2nd, 2021 AT 8:40 PM
Tiny
LILYK1551
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Steve, the fogging started around two or three weeks ago, when the first below zero night happened where I live, I tried to take the mats out and dry them off. And wipe down all the windows so there was no condensation. I drove it all day today and eventually The light did turn off, while I was driving there was no difference to driving that I noticed. Will this condensation problem eventually make my car undriveable? Or is it more of an inconvenience problem? Thank you!
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Tuesday, February 2nd, 2021 AT 8:49 PM
Tiny
LILYK1551
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  • 3 POSTS
Also, the fogging up did in fact start a while ago, but not as often as it does now, it happened summer/fall. In rare instances, during summer I does not. I just hope it is not the battery.
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Tuesday, February 2nd, 2021 AT 9:01 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,572 POSTS
It sounds like it has a leak then. The fogging is the result of it. I would almost bet the light is as well because it went out as you drove which would fit if it's moisture causing it, the moisture dried up and was no longer conductive. The problem with the moisture is that it will get into places that should stay dry like switches, controls, connectors and modules, if the right one were to short out or corrode you will end up with a Journey shaped piece of yard art. I would really start hunting for the problem soon. There are a lot of online videos showing how to locate a leak. One thing not to overlook as well would be the heater core, have you checked the level of coolant in the jug under the hood?
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Tuesday, February 2nd, 2021 AT 11:24 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
To see which system are affected we should do a CAN scan which is the future of automotive repair. you can get a CAN scanner from Amazon for about $50.00. here is a video to show you how:

https://youtu.be/InIlnsjOVFA

Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.
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Wednesday, February 3rd, 2021 AT 11:23 AM

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