rear defrost

stang3O2

Founding Member
Oct 15, 2002
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Indiana
Has anyone had problems with their rear defrost? I have a vert and when I push the button the light comes on but it doesnt do anything. What do you think i need to replace and what should it cost?
Thanks
Matt
 
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stang3O2 said:
Has anyone had problems with their rear defrost? I have a vert and when I push the button the light comes on but it doesnt do anything. What do you think i need to replace and what should it cost?
Thanks
Matt

Have you had tinting on the windows at some point, then had it removed or replaced?

Also, do ANY of the rows work, or are they all NOT working?
RC
 
There are 2 metal tabs on the back window that coiled wires plug onto. This lets the rear window move yet still have the electric defroster. Check these connections, that they aren't loose. Also check that these 2 tabs are still firmly in place on the glass. I knocked one off one time when cleaning the rear window (overzealously... lol). Next, check for voltage at the connectors. Then, check for continuity across the defrost element by placing a meter on both of those tabs (with the wires removed, but be very careful when taking them off) somewhere in what I've said you should find the problem.
 
Mike94GT said:
There are 2 metal tabs on the back window that coiled wires plug onto. This lets the rear window move yet still have the electric defroster. Check these connections, that they aren't loose. Also check that these 2 tabs are still firmly in place on the glass. I knocked one off one time when cleaning the rear window (overzealously... lol). Next, check for voltage at the connectors. Then, check for continuity across the defrost element by placing a meter on both of those tabs (with the wires removed, but be very careful when taking them off) somewhere in what I've said you should find the problem.

Do you happen to know why there are two tabs? Does one side heat some of the rows, and the other side other rows? I ask because I've got continuity, and the left side tab is hot, but no juice on the right side. I can't find any break so I'm thinking I'll just splice from the hot right side to the left. Any problems with this?? Thanks.
 
You have a rear defroster on your Convertible? Mine doesn't even have one. :whine:

The wires conduct electricity, and the two tabs complete the circuit, just like posted above.

You can use a volt meter and check for continuity between the wires to check for a break. Just start at the top and go down from there. A break anywhere in ANY of the lines will make the entire window not work (assuming the wires are in series, which I think they are).
Scott
 
OK thanks guys. Looks like it's just worn and the grid has too much resistance. I've got juice at the tabs and I've got power up the bars on both sides but nothing when I run across the window. (I tried it on my other car so I know how it should read.) Either the tinting did something - no obvious breaks though - or 167,000 was just too much. I'm going to buy one of those replacement kits.