Checking Rear Window Defogger

Checking Rear Window Defogger
Disclaimer:
This video is not meant to be a definitive how to.Always consult a professional repair manual before starting your repair.I am not responsible for any problems that you might incur by watching or following this video.Follow at your own risk.

[@RichpinTv]

Ok the reason we use foil is because the wires of the grid are fragile and the foil will not damage them. As the voltage goes across the wire it should from one side to the other decrease in voltage from resistance.I am sure if you google defog rear window you should come up with more info.

[@cryptic_badger795]

Thank you for this.......easy to follow and worked perfectly for my Volkswagen. The two breaks were only just visible after using this method, otherwise I'd never have located them.

[@wency101]

Great information video. Thanks!

[@ladiesman2313]

can you check the defogger over a tint film (tinted window)? and also if all of the wires are good, what could be the problem of rear window not defogging/defrosting? thanks

[@RichpinTv]

@kingleo9 I have never seen a blower for the rear defogger.

[@saintlibra12]

thank you sir. uhmm.. would that be okay if i keep the button always on a/c and rear? thanks a lot!

[@AV131082]

Ok will try with other multimeter but we are clear that it should mark 6v right? Thanks!

[@dantucker7402]

Good video, simple test. Many other videos make it seem so difficult.

[@RichpinTv]

Glad you liked it

[@RichpinTv]

@lobosolorzano Good question,i am not sure richpin must investigate

[@sivucit]

Thanks so much rich

[@12notlaw]

Rich... I'm wondering if you inadvertently have it backward.... if I have 12v wouldn't there be a break in the negative side and vise Versa. Your meter is grounded elsewhere and if the negative on the defroster was disconnected you would get 12v if the positive side was functioning normally.

[@thirstfirst4Christ]

this is a great video! but my car did not go pass 3, when i tried to test it toward the driver side it sparked.... any solution?

[@kingleo9]

Hey Rich**all your videos are Great!! My 1997 Nissan Altima rear defogger heats up *** but there is no air blowing**any suggestions? I tested the grids usuing your video and e verything checked out fine** Have a good one

[@RichpinTv]

Could it be your meter.

[@AV131082]

Very nice video richpin!! I did the test but never show me around 6v, the multimeter show me around 1v on several cars and even a new one!!! So why do you think this happened?

[@sivucit]

Hi Rich, why are we using Aluminium foil, cant i use multimeter positive lead?. Second, why iam seeing only 6 volt and 12 volt, is there a reason behind?. Also u said if i see zero volt, then passenger side is broken from center, and 12 volt means driver side is broken from center. What is the theory behind this logic, i would appreciate if u can breift me or a site in net that can explain me, please..

[@robertantony2441]

Very helpful thank you

[@RichpinTv]

Glad it was helpful!

[@RichpinTv]

The chime module has a timer in it that runs the defogger.

[@tiderfish]

Slick use of tin foil! Thanks!

[@AV131082]

Thanks for your quick reply, so 6v is the standard temperature on every car!, Because like I said Before I try this on several cars including a brand-new one 2012 and the result was the same!

[@RichpinTv]

You need to be able to make contact with the wires to check them.If they check out ok then they should be defrosting.

[@tnamen1307]

My car i20 rear defogger switch led doesn't come on when pressed. But sometimes it comes on and the defogger system is working. I can't find any fuse or relay for the rear defogger.

[@Waloshinblog]

In your engine bay.

[@69ChevyGarage]

I have no power to my rear defogger elements nor do I have power coming out of the power and negative wires that attach to the elements. The dash button light works normal though. Could it be my relay is bad?

[@chronus9083]

Get out your test light and check! Or listen/ feel to see if the relay clicks

[@RichpinTv]

I would think there must be a problem with the wires to get that low a voltage.

[@lobosolorzano]

what material are the lines of the defogger?????

[@EK-cl4nk]

Those little lines are actually made of conductive paint that is applied directly to the glass. This makes the defroster very compact and durable. It also means that any chip or scratch in that conductive paint can render the system inoperative.

[@saintlibra12]

question, sir: what does "a/c" mean on my dashboard. thank you sir!

[@Waloshinblog]

Air / Conditioning

[@b3r3tta95]

i like unwell by matchbox 20. u can hear it in the background.

[@nedaCFilms]

Lol!!!!! Nice...

[@wazabiqc]

What if i have voltage on my grid, but the snow isn't melting.. ?

[@cycl0nnus]

i have same issue. i have 11v on the positive lead from the rear defrost wire, did you figure it out?

[@grabir01]

@@cycl0nnus Voltage is too high which means there is no load. You have a bad return or bad ground negative.

[@ChristinaGerard433]

@@grabir01 Thank you for solving it! But how would you go about fixing a bad return of bad ground negative if I ask?

[@grabir01]

@@ChristinaGerard433 In the Engineering world we refer to it as sourcing or sinking. If you are getting voltage to the grid, then it is a sourced voltage. Unplug both sides and see which connector goes hot when you switch it on. Then you know the other side or the other connector is return or ground. Follow ground or return wire until you find the fault. You may be able to simply cut the return and ground it to chassis to make it work again. I would trace it and find where it is open and fix it there. There are toners you can use to trace wires. Some switches are on the return side. If that is the case, you will have one of your grid wires hot all the time. I doubt that is the case. But it could be.

[@terrygreer1311]

How u open rear window

[@nedaCFilms]

With the relay module sensor valve thingy switch

[@RichpinTv]

That would be Air Conditioner

[@tryme6901]

Im getting 10v from both sides On the other im getting 7v on one side Then another im getting 10v on left side to 6v in the middle

[@telosfd]

Negative from paint metal!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@partymonsterri]

Wouldn't it just be easier to check the continuity of the strips?

[@shield2305]

Why put foil sir?

[@russianwolfhound1]

The part of the foil that he was using was flat and smooth, so it won't scratch the defrost grid lines. The end of the probe is sharper, and if you're not careful using it, could potentially scratch through enough of a defroster grid line to not allow any electricity to flow through it. The tinfoil strip also has a much wider surface area than the tip of a probe. You notice Richpin just presses the tinfoil strip against the grid line and gets an instant contact. It's much faster and easier than trying to get the much smaller tip of a bare probe to make contact with the grid line.

[@zetnakatel]

Why just don't measure the resistance ? Much simpler without draining your battery.

[@cavalierabouhamma2828]

How can we do that?

[@telosfd]

Remove those gloves.