How to repair rear window defroster tabs and grid lines. Defogger repair kit.

Basic step by step tutorial on how to test and repair malfunctioning defogger (defroster).
Attention: Due to the poor sound quality (noise in the background) make sure to use the subtitles! Click the "CC" button located in the corner of the screen!
Links to products used in this video (affiliate)
Rear window defogger repair kit - amzn.to/3mQlcXG
Fluke Multimeter - amzn.to/2HQOx42
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Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of Make It Easy Mechanic, it cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Make It Easy Mechanic assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. Make It Easy Mechanic recommends safe practices when working on vehicles and/or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Make It Easy Mechanic, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Make It Easy Mechanic.

[@MakeItEasyMechanic]

Attention: Due to the poor sound quality (noise in the background) make sure to use the subtitles! Click the "CC" button located in the corner of the screen!

[@MexMX]

My colleague just asked me to take a look at his defogger, because it's got problems in the grid line. I knew about the method's existence, but I didn't know exactly what is the process. Now that I'll actually need to know, I found your video great and straightforward. Thanks man, make it easy!

[@mattschwartz915]

very nice video! this repair is easier than I was expecting. thank you!

[@scootermacarthy5990]

I understand from a good source the voltage can be 10 and 11 volts in your test of the grid, and it doesn't mean your battery is dead. Went to the honda dealer and they wanted $236 to test the window grid and then charge to repair it! Thanks for sharing this video!

[@slavkog]

car voltage (when the car is running ofc) should be 14.4v, anything below that is a sign that car alternator is not generating (enough) power. It will work even with 13.9v but it is not recommended.

[@northcountry32]

You did a very good job explaining this. Cheers.

[@princeamongmen7064]

I learned something today, thank you🤗

[@guleiro]

Love your video. Very well explained.

[@maxim420]

Great job on the video and explanation. Thanks

[@shelbykingnfs7216]

Excellent video. Very well explained. I will have to check this on my car as it my defogger just doesnt work entirely. Could also potentially be some damaged wires inside the hatch itself as the rear glass has a leak somewhere I am yet to chase down

[@tightr1]

Great video bud ! Thx

[@vikramtoor2350]

Nicely explained... 👍👍👍

[@MakeItEasyMechanic]

Thank you 🙂

[@dadawidad]

Ty for that video

[@KhaiVanUSA]

Do good job 👍

[@userx76y]

i wish i know this channel 3years ago..its been 3year mine grid connector broken due to bad tint shop

[@slavkog]

you did it! the only way to diagnose is to follow voltage drop as you go from right to the left! good job! there are bunch of other videos on the same subject and all they do is talk shi* :D Thanks man!

[@1860wright]

Will it work if you have had your windows tinted?

[@rihadkhalique5320]

So my defroster has tint on it, would I have to remove the tint to do the repair or no?

[@fogit4668]

I have had the grid line fall off of the window. Is there a way to fix that?

[@4mikeyd]

Even though I cleaned the tab and rear window. The Permatex adhesive failed. It just fell off the next day. I contacted the seller. Because Permatex is a good brand. I said I think maybe I got a bad batch of the permatex kit? I asked if they could check there other stock. They did. And refunded back my money. I tried soldering it. But can't get the solder to stick to the tab. I don't know what to do I asked my mechanic to please fix it when I was getting an Oil change. When I picked up my car. He didn't fix it and said for me to solder it or use Epoxy Glue. I tried the permatex. I tried soldering it. But am getting nowhere.

[@dan3nad]

Can i put tint on top of this repair???

[@mtkkuluckaTuncay]

Merhaba vdc ( Voltaj ) Bağlantı Ayak / Pabucunu yapıştırma harcı içeriği Tam olarak Nedir ?

[@Musicalpa]

Good presentation, but can you provide a link to the product?

[@MakeItEasyMechanic]

Just added a link in the description. Thank you for your feedback!

[@francoantonio7236]

Me gustaría mas que nada donde conseguir la resistencia para poded instalar

[@ianchapple1345]

This kit is not available in the uk. I glued mine using silver filings made with a clean needle file on sterling silver. This was added to fast epoxy.

[@LochyP]

Smart. Is it holding up OK?

[@craigweston5887]

I assume if there is tinting on the glass it will have to be removed first.

[@MakeItEasyMechanic]

If you're talking about aftermarket tinting then - yes. The car I worked on (in the video) had factory tint, so nothing had to be removed.

[@rayugadragonemperer6699]

​@@MakeItEasyMechanicwhat if grid liens removes due to removing of old tint from car

[@japreet_kah]

How to remove them altogether

[@benttwig33]

Can you explain the voltage drop when moving the leads closer together? I would have imaged the voltage running to the entire grid is the same. Not sure how the grid is exactly wired and it's racking my brain

[@timrick2]

One whole side of the window is Negative, the other whole side is Positive. The paint lines are not conductive like a copper wire would be. If they were, there would be (essentially) no resistance. If no resistance,... NO HEAT!! They RESISTIVE material in the paint means less voltage as he moves away. The electricity WANTS to get from one side to the other, and in doing so, creates the heat! Same as an improper "connection" in house wiring can cause a fire. That point of RESISTANCE creates HEAT. : ))

[@simobahada]

I just replace the film on my backwindow because it was melting. the technician who replace the film was scraping the backwindow to get rid of the adhesive from the old film. He definitely damage the grid lines. my question will this method work over the film or do you need direct contact

[@MakeItEasyMechanic]

You need direct contact

[@NitrosDen]

is it possible to get a kit to restore an entire window or is it better to get new window? Tint guy ripped all mine off when removing old tint to install new tint and didn't forewarn me.

[@MakeItEasyMechanic]

New (or a good used) window, for sure. And I'd have the tint guy pay for it

[@edgarnoejaime]

I have a question what type of glue do you used 🤔???

[@MakeItEasyMechanic]

There's a link in the description

[@brad300ZXS16]

I'm guessing I ruined mine because I removed some old aftermarket tint and had to scrape some of it off with a razor blade.

[@goranvuletic8873]

Same here

[@Fk67Lg]

@@goranvuletic8873 Same thing happened to me. My aftermarket tint had air bubbles all over it, and at night could not see clearly at all. I peeled it all off carefully but a tiny section of grid material stuck to the tint when removing it now it doesn't work. I'm mad as jell.

[@juliejudge5094]

On my rear defroster I have 5 lines that defrosts. Does that mean I have a broken line in the ones not defrosting? With so many how would I fix them? Also there is tint on the window. This is a "new to me" vehicle. *sigh*

[@MakeItEasyMechanic]

Check the sides (the vertical portion) of the grid, and see if you lose connection there, because if you do - that would cut off the rest of the lines. But it is possible that a bunch of lines are bad and have to be repaired individually...

[@daowause]

You must remove the tint(a painful process). It would probably be easier to pick up a used glass.

[@vassiliospangratis5645]

I do not have the device for the current any simpler way? would a testing screwdriver do the job?

[@MakeItEasyMechanic]

If you mean test light then Yes, test light would work too.

[@vassiliospangratis5645]

@@MakeItEasyMechanic something like that ? www.diy.com/departments/b-q-pen-type-voltage-tester/177924_BQ.prd/gallery Sorry for the link it is just on one of my local and most common shops around here.

[@vassiliospangratis5645]

or something like that www.toolstation.com/draper-screwdriver-circuit-tester/p71828?store=JC&gclid=CjwKCAiA5JnuBRA-EiwA-0ggPUSMDIDEdMnEc-WxwkqjqDqwTzcp6J7chdzWoxFLpxv5TH-d1BRL_hoCau4QAvD_BwE

[@davidstanley3865]

I have a 2008 chevy the rear defroster isn't working but the light on the dash is on. I took the panel off the hatch and left side has power and right side power till I hook the wire up then no power

[@cycl0nnus]

i have about 11 v coming out of the rear window defroster positive wire but my grid is still not working. any tips on what i should do next

[@cycl0nnus]

@@MakeItEasyMechanic thanks for the reply. I measuured it from the power wire and a random ground, which was near the door jamb. Ill measure the resistance next

[@rubenrojo8654]

clean the terminals on both the neg/positive by sanding or using alcohol, your power should go up to 12v.

[@Isah305]

Is 2.0ml of compund/glue enough for 20cm of lines?

[@MakeItEasyMechanic]

To be honest, I never had to repair such a long stretch.. I would say, probably not, because you have to apply three layers of it or so..

[@tamar5261]

I know which lines are broken because they stay misty, how can I tell where they are broken? There are about 3/4 of them not working

[@goesfastandfar]

You'll have to take a reading with a multi-meter like he did in the video to determine exactly where the break is. You may have only one break that is causing the rest to fail, but could also be several places too. It's hard to see the breaks just by eyeing them; the meter is the best way.

[@HMFIC1007]

It looks to me that you placed it back in the same spot it broke off from.

[@UptonSinclairLewis]

His gloved hand is right in front of the camera lens and you cant see how he is applying the chemical to the glass.

[@mtkkuluckaTuncay]

Yapıştırma harcı Aynı Zamanda iletken Özelliği Mevcut mu ?

[@MakeItEasyMechanic]

evet, iletken bir yapıştırıcı solüsyondur. Tam içeriğini bilmiyorum.

[@mtkkuluckaTuncay]

@@MakeItEasyMechanic Çok teşekkür ederim ilginizden dolayı

[@gilbertojusino1196]

You said not to attach the tab the same place it broke of from?

[@MakeItEasyMechanic]

Correct

[@ws9186]

is there only 1 stencil per kit?

[@MakeItEasyMechanic]

Yes

[@abdulwaheedtumman]

How i should get this repair kit

[@MakeItEasyMechanic]

Theres a link in the description

[@samanmanmi6722]

wher to buy that kit?

[@MakeItEasyMechanic]

There should be a link in the description. You can also find it at any local part store.

[@cjaviergutierrez]

What's that kit name???

[@MakeItEasyMechanic]

Permatex, rear window defogger. There should be a link in the description.

[@IvanRossS]

Don't let your activator dry.... that's why it call Activator !!!!! U have to apply immediately!!!! If u let it seat it will dry... SMH. And activator not going to work right.. then month or so late your glue will fail !!!

[@kendawa2918]

Poor audio quality detracts from your message.

[@MakeItEasyMechanic]

I figured it out when it was too late. So I edited the subtitles, hoping that would help. Thank you for your feedback

[@youtubeidentity7412]

@@MakeItEasyMechanic Thanks for going to the trouble to do all that.

[@SamKhan-gm5zl]

Not surprised this happened to a jeep

[@marcoramos7135]

=

[@jeremylunning654]

I wouldn't suggest not following the manufacturers instructions. They tell you to wait 24 hours for a reason.

[@MikeM8701]

@Jeremy Lunning this is true. If you check the resistance immediately after applying the repair compound, you will notice that there is resistance. However, if you continually check the resistance every so often after applying the repair compound, you will notice the resistance keeps getting lower and lower with time as the repair compound cures. This is exactly why the instructions say wait 24hrs, to give it time to fully cure, so that there is zero resistance, allowing current flow through the circuit.

[@rooteroman]

Sorry but the narrator voice don't let me listen de background sounds...

[@mikehendrix6558]

Well that's rude. Whoever starting up a car while you are doing a video. We can hear you cause of his rude butt

[@johnreno1733]

Would be a common sense idea to mention the exact product number and show it instead of just people trying to guess when they can't even see the package that you're opening

[@MakeItEasyMechanic]

Thank you for your feedback, I just added a link in the description.

[@moefuggerr2970]

That is just trash. Look at that garbage.