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View Full Version : Rear Defroster Issues



gil_ong81
10-19-2005, 09:25 AM
So I'm gonna rant a little. In Dec 2003, my rear defroster stopped working. I had it looked at while I was getting a LOF by my mechanic. He dug around, and found that the right (passenger) tab (under the plastic trim) was broken off. The soldering that holds the 2 legs of the tab to the windshield had let go. So he busts out this funky epoxy and sticks it back on.

In March (2005), I find that the problem is back. I figured I’d deal with it since I won’t need it when it’s warm. Torn the thing apart last weekend and find that the tab on the left tab has broken off. Run off to the parts store with the rear of the car practically gutted and bought some Permatex® Liquid Solder (http://www.permatex.com/products/prodidx.asp?automotive=yes&f_call=get_item&item_no=25906) and stuck the thing back on. It took a while for the goo to solidify enough so that I can take my finger off, but when it was done, I figured it was all set. The package said to give it 24 hours to fully cure, but I figured that as long as I don’t monkey with it too much, it’ll be OK by the next morning.

Finally tested it today cos the weather is back to being sucky, and the thing doesn’t work!! Now I’m pissed. I have no idea what is wrong. I'm hoping that the tab just fell off, and it's not something else more involved or complicated.

The actual work involved in re-attaching the tab is no big deal, what kills me is that to remove the plastic trim, you really need to/should remove the seat back, which also means the seats.

Anyway…. Has anyone had BOTH tabs fail?? Could it be something I am doing that is upsetting things back there??

Whew! I' almost out of breath from just typing.

Thanks for listening.

Huffer
10-19-2005, 11:10 AM
Tabs?

I'm having trouble visualising the areas you mention...

gil_ong81
10-19-2005, 11:29 AM
i'll try getting a pic ina few days.

gil_ong81
10-19-2005, 11:34 AM
this is exactly what happen. the tab (or clip) detached itself from the glass.

http://www.z06vette.com/gallery/data/500/12452Photo_07-med.jpg

Huffer
10-19-2005, 12:25 PM
I see... well, maybe when you repaired you overheated the connect somewhere?

gil_ong81
10-21-2005, 08:30 AM
i soldered the tab on last night. still doesn't work. i tested it and now at least know that i have a good ground.

i don't know if it's worth it for me to troubleshoot for an open ckt somewhere b/w the swtich and the live tab on my own. this is gonna be fun.

gil_ong81
10-21-2005, 09:32 PM
the monster lives!!!!

so guess what? it was the OTHER tab. it was still attaached, but the epoxy (or whatever) was not conducting.

no idea how this happened, but it worked for like 1.5 years, then decided to bite the dust.