Rear Window Defroster Tab Repair

In this video I show you the method I use to repair a rear window defogger tab that was snapped off. As always please refer to the shop manual for the proper procedure.

[@k0rndog93]

For those afraid of shattering the glass from the heat of the soldering iron.. think of this. Your window is freezing cold, and you hit the defroster. It gets HOT pretty fast, and melts the ice off. If that quick thermal change and that much heat on a frozen window won't shatter it, a soldering iron for a few seconds won't shatter it either :)

[@raymond9839]

Posted my 2 cents today on my fix, your right about the heat. Use an electric Soldering gun or Pencil type . NO TORCH!

[@mikebonora2238]

Thanks, that is my biggest fear. Have a convertible with actual glass and defogger and one tab came off the grid(now I know why), come summer I think I will remove the connectors from the grid.

[@michaelgenerali5336]

That makes perfect sense!

[@boyr3025]

That glue is a waste of money

[@4mikeyd]

​@@boyr3025I tried the permatex kit today. It wouldn't even bond. I'm surprised. Because Permatex usually makes great products. Either that. Or I got one from a bad batch? I had to Epoxy Glue mine. Hope it works?

[@klwthe3rd]

This is such a common needed repair on so many vehicle with the detachable rear window tailgate glass. Eric showed us how easy it is to repair this problem for little to zero dollars. Great video!

[@fredmalito9869]

Eight years later, and Eric O is saving my ass. Thanks brother! This is exactly the confirmation I needed that I could solder this back on.

[@JimPingle]

My wife's Jeep had both tabs break a year or so apart. Had a shop fix the first one, looks like they used conductive epoxy and it held OK but there was a bit of resistance in the connection. Second tab broke so I was going to fix it myself. Bought a kit, got sidetracked, lost the kit, ended up here. I'm glad I did, too. This was so easy to fix it was ridiculous. I spent more time digging out my soldering iron than I did actually repairing the tab. It's holding strong and has zero resistance. Thanks for the video! One extra note for those having trouble getting the solder to flow on the tab when bonding to the window: If you have multiple tips for your soldering iron, use a wedge style or hold the iron so that a lot of its surface comes in contact with the tab, not just the tip, or it may not transfer enough heat over (or it may take a lot longer).

[@brianmedeiros417]

Thanks for the tip! Wife just bought a jk and the tab is off

[@tree5013]

Worked for me. I sanded what was left of the window pad which was right over my head. I tried to tin the pad but could not get the solder to stick leaving me with a pool of resin on the tab. I put a big ball of solder on the broken tab. I used a screwdriver to hold the tab up on the window pad. Got my biggest watt soldering gun and the solder melted between the two about 20 seconds after taking the completely hot soldering gun to it. Took away the gun and held it in place for 10 seconds to let it cool. It stuck and had electrical contact with the other tab. I am going to put a light coating of a two part epoxy so the soft solder is not the only binding agent to the window. Easy peasy and make sure you have a drop under the workspace so molten solder dosent burn your car's carpet.

[@stevenorris5156]

Just did this fix on my 2006 Mustang and it worked great! I had to upgrade my Weller 25W soldering iron to a Weller Medium Duty 60W soldering iron in order for the solder to melt on the whole surface of the metal tab. Also in my case, even with the 60W soldering iron, I could not melt the solder from the other side of the tab while pressed against the rear window so I just melted the solder first and quickly pressed it to the window before it solidified and it worked. Thanks for saving us all a lot of time and aggravation!

[@workingtheworld68]

Great video. For the folks who are on the fence between conductive epoxy and solder, solder is the way to go

[@mikemaj8467]

Why?

[@rogelioburola84]

@@mikemaj8467 cause the permetex fail me after less then a year

[@carow1898]

I was just told by a chevy dealer that they would have to replace my back window. Rip off!! Thank you for this video. saved me alot of money.

[@jackieestrada1]

Ca row did u really fix it with this video? I just got told the same thing!! Ugh!

[@TheDutchskipper]

@@jackieestrada1 and another dealer told me so too. Fixed it myself.

[@allenbay4974]

GM are a thief!! the same in Canada they want to change the whole unit

[@bradley8420]

Which dealer?

[@jaygallagher8064]

Excellent! I appreciate you encouraging folks to "do it yourself". So many people do not realize their capability and have not been encouraged to try to do much of anything.

[@TrevorHarding3]

Thanks for the instruction from Melbourne, Australia. Worked exactly as you showed. Being a bit paranoid about heat cracking the glass, and since it's a bit of a cool day, I preheated the glass with a heat gun. Probably helped the solder heat quicker too.

[@lesliepowell5446]

Thanks again you’ve saved me a lot of time with several projects and with this issue I asked several people about soldering the tab back to the glass and no one knew how thanks again

[@LatersOnTheMenjay.]

Subscribed to your channel recently and now I have this exact fix. I googled "Rear window defogger + solder" and there you were again. Many thanks mate - you deserve every success!

[@Mr.Pickle88]

I have zero experience in soldering and with huge fear of glass shattering i gave it a go. And it worked :) I have no idea what king of soldering iron I have or what kind of solder I have... It took couple of tries but works for now. Thanks for the video!

[@ronrupke6386]

This video worked like a charm. I have had my Prius for the last three years and the defrost never worked. I thought it was something electrical but it turns out it was one of the pieces needed soldered just like the shows. Thanks for the detailed instructions and it worked like a charm.

[@kmfw1160]

This is awesome bro. I figured I could simply solder it back on but wasn't sure. Your're the first I've seen to do it, so thanks for the vid!

[@huckster66]

Great video! Passenger side of my 2012 chevy impala tab was broken off. Glass shop told me today they would need to replace entire rear window at a price of $430.00! Saw your video and soldered on piece that broke off. Strong solder done as following your instructions and WORKS! THANKS! 👍

[@Junkman2008]

I took one look at my tab when it came off the window and thought, "That looks like it was soldered onto the window." You just confirmed that and I'm an expert at soldering so thanks!

[@monsterjta]

Better than the alternative adhesives, in my opinion. I just happened to have an old soldering gun with a tiny blob of solder still on the tip. Followed these instructions and worked perfectly. Took about 2 minutes. Thanks!

[@HUBBABUBBADOOPYDOOP]

Have you ever seen tiny holes drilled for Bondo to push into, to adhere better? Same principal- drill 1 tiny hole in the metal tab. When soldering- when it flows through the hole and hardens- it's like a rivet. Super bond.

[@waltermcneil7189]

thank you again... i seriously just did this in the time between these 2 comments.. took 3 different irons and on the 3rd it took the larger tip. final iron was a soldering gun and it only took a few seconds.. smelled like someone tried to superglue it prior. havent tested yet but after i scraped the gunk off both sides i have confidence. The glass was just warm to the touch after and this video gave me the confidence to complete this very basic repair.

[@camilewellen-minney9805]

Thanks for this video! I wasn't sure if doing it this way would mess with the heat conducting elements in the window. I asked a few people and they had no idea how to best fix this problem. With winter coming up fast, and living in the Rockies, I'll give this a try very soon!

[@markrandel8588]

This video popped up on my feed at a great time! The tab popped off on my suburban a month ago. And had no idea how to fix it! Love all your videos.

[@Fighthouse154]

Thank you for posting this informative video on this repair. I fix my defroster with this method and it worked great and also I saved myself a bundle of cash. Btw the the glue kits sold for this repair are a total scam.

[@yapizapi]

Was just about to go out and 15.99 for a kit to repair 2013 rear Tahoe winder. I am pretty efficient at soldering, so thanks you just saved me some money.

[@JeffChristlieb]

I've watched just about every brake pad replacement video you've made. I now replace my brakes like a pro. 1998 Saturn, 1997 Ford Explorer, 2007 Honda Accord. I've done them all. Last year, I blew out the rear hatch window on my 1997 Ford Explorer with my weed whacker. I had the window replaced with a new one. The new window must have been made in China, because both sides came loose. I wondered if you had made a video showing how to fix this. Lo and behold you did! I loaded up the connectors with solder, and reattached them. Thanks, Eric!

[@kenolson9943]

Thank You, I have been looking for a repair kit for several days! No need!

[@FlyfishenAdv]

Thanks for the tip Eric. The solder technique worked great on my GMC Jimmy.

[@gmwrenchead]

Eric, This really works great if no one has tried to super glue or epoxy the tab on before you get it. That conductive coating on the glass is so thin it won't stand up to scraping. GM recommends silver bearing solder instead of tin/lead alloys. Also, the tabs often fall off due to excess heat generated by resistance created by poor terminal tension where the connector snaps on; check the female terminal wings for fit, not just the snap feature of the terminal. Great video, I just discovered your channel.

[@markmallory2528]

I totally respect your input. Took mine to GM and they offered to replace the whole window saying they couldn’t simply get it back in place to stay. I knew that was BS coming from a electronics background. And the recommendation of using silver bearing solder coming from GM? We’ll let’s just keep in mind it was their tab that came off in the first place. Thanks for your input though, I appreciate you. 🙏🏽👍🏽

[@35charlie38]

Thanks so much for this video. I've been soldering things for decades and considered it for our '14 Yukon. When I saw other sites suggesting it could break the glass I was hesitant. Watching this video and reading the success comments gave me the courage. 5 minutes later and we're good as new. Actually better than new since I discovered the factory solder never even touched one whole side of the tab. Thanks again!

[@35charlie38]

Forgot to add: Since it's close to freezing out, I did run a hairdryer around the area a bit first just to take the edge off. Not sure it was really needed but didn't take much effort.

[@tomcervenka7404]

@@35charlie38 good call! I was worried about doing this when it's below freezing.

[@AquariumNetworkNewYork]

Rear window on a 2009 Tahoe, I just finished after watching this video, used my battery Dremel to clean the contact & window contact Loaded up the contact with rosin core solder after fluxing added flux to the window contact cleaned with dremel wire brush and standard 100-140 watt Soldering Gun and finished. the whole job took 5 minutes. It is 30 degrees here in NY and was worried about blowing out the glass with the Soldering gun. Just tested with a infrared thermometer and It worked.

[@goaldigger2314]

I have a 2007 Tahoe and Im in Michigan. No luck with getting it to work.

[@nickVeitch00]

Aquarium Network With

[@allenbay4974]

@@goaldigger2314 The same here :(

[@TheRealFunar]

Great video! I just found this after some searching to repair my Suburban's rear defrost which appears to have the identical tabs to the vehicle in this video. Thanks for the video!

[@rikabob]

Hi, just tried it on my broken tab and it works great, thanks for the vid.

[@DkpProductions]

Although my repair was in a Honda Accord with limited space, this video gave me the encouragement and know how to fix the repair a body shop did (glued it back on and it didn't hold) Thank you Mr. O.

[@jhennes1]

Soldering worked great on my 04 Sebring Convertible. Thanks!

[@midwestconcertvideo]

Thanks for posting this. I've been soldering stuff for more than 45 years, but have never tried to solder foil on glass. I was worried that thermal shock would crack the glass, but I see that is not an issue. I'll try this tomorrow.

[@shaenak3014]

Nah, no worries there. That's tempered glass meant to withstand brutal temps in both directions, and because the defroster wires get hot really fast, to melt ice...the glass is made for this. Sally forth, and solder! :)

[@johnstaif846]

Thanks tor the help. To get this to work I had to touch the edge of the solder after holding the iron on the connector for a few minutes, otherwise it wouldn’t melt it. In the end it worked.

[@rwal86]

Thank you for the video. I just noticed my 2010 suburban rear window connection had come loose. It's 10 above right now but I intend to solder it tomorrow.

[@villainbros]

Your 8 year old video did the trick today for my wife’s Suburban. Thanks!

[@918davisable]

i hav a 94 RRC, fell off last year, thanks for the vid, super helpful !!

[@PNW_Car_Mods]

I just did this repair on my sons 2011 Crown Vic PI and it stuck. I took the tab and sanded it clean. then pre soldiered the tab. The car was sitting in 80+ degree weather with the sun beating down on the glass. I held it up on the glass and touched the 30w iron to it and about 20 seconds later. No broken window and it stuck really well. I seen no reason why it wont work. Will know in the morning. Thanks South Main!

[@69indian70]

Thanks for making the video. Very straight forward and concise.

[@fasttruck9177]

THANK YOU! Saved a lot of money followed your instructions and it worked to the T, thanks again!

[@shaenak3014]

That is insanely simple! Thanks for this. One of mine did exactly this (04 Jeep liberty) and it's freezing here so defrosting is a must!

[@Sagittarius-88]

Just did this on my 08 expedition this afternoon. I've seen the repair kits out there before, but I've not heard great things about them. I have a lot more faith in a solder joint than I do an adhesive that allegedly conducts electricity.

[@miked8866]

Thanks Eric! Just finished this repair on my 08 Yukon. Took a few tries to get the right amount of solder and heat, but on the third try the solder flowed under the tab and it was stuck back on the window! I'm back in full defrost mode again. I put on my safety goggles and a hard hat just in case the rear window exploded! The window remained intact I had tried the epoxy on a previous vehicle but it did not "take".

[@jasonrightler6725]

What wattage is your soldering iron? Did you use Flux and 60/40 as suggested above? I'm doing a Tahoe also, 2007

[@miked8866]

I have Weller 100/140 watt soldering gun. I used the 100 watt setting with 60/40 rosin core solder. It's been two months and it's still stuck on the back window!

[@SFHCommish_1]

2016 jeep wrangler here. Are used one of those Epoxy glue type fix-it patches and it didn’t work at all. Thank you for posting this year’s ago I’m going to get this fixed myself.

[@brado52]

Just had one break off on my 17' Wrangler .... going to fix it in the morning....great video

[@ashy1423]

Thanks for the vid 👍 Great help after 18 months of no demister

[@spelunkerd]

I tried one of those glue kits, it didn't work and I gave up. You made it look easy.

[@AnontheGOAT]

I’m so glad I came across this video. I used my Penecil iron and made quick work of a tab that was completely ripped off by a dog.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Nice. Going to try this right now on a 2012 Suburban :) Love the OG SMA vids ;)

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Didn't work at all...just melted the grid off the window! If you can do it, doesn't mean I can :(

[@scottcollins547]

Thought I was going to have to use the glue on repair kit. This was super easy and nearly free. Thanks.

[@aileenlearah]

I tried a glue kit...didn't stick at all. I returned it to the store and about to solder. You gave me a few tips I didn't realize, like pulling the tab out of the clip and pre-soldering and then heating through the tab. It should be easy now!

[@memesredacted]

Sweet. The jeep I just got had one of the tabs broken off. Good to know I have all the tools to fix it at home

[@AGreaterAmerica]

I just realized my connector was off. Looked in KZbin and saw your video first. I'll try it as soon as I find my soldering iron. Ha! Thanks for the posting.

[@mrshastri]

Thanks man. My 98 Sienna has the same issue. She is celebrating her 20th birthday this year 2018. :)

[@johnandrews5173]

Awesome fix for my Mitsubishi 380. Worked a treat, Thank you.

[@madblunted]

Awesome I am proficient in soldering, I was scared that the window would take on too much heat and break. I see that you tin the tab first this answered my question about that. Thanks! I don't know about that glue either as the solder is so good the I have to remove the tabs that broke in the window. The tabs themselves broke for me.

[@jimthecarguy]

Eric,Very good video and a nice tip for everyone .I've seen some of the epoxy kits they sell in some big auto store that some places make a big mess of the window before they come to the pro to repair.

[@SouthMainAuto]

Hey thanks jimthecarguy . I've never used one of the kits just because this only take me about a minute start to finish and seems to work well. How do you do them?

[@jimthecarguy]

I do the repair the same way you do.I always worry about the window breaking (never did yet) .I usually let the window warm up before starting.

[@SouthMainAuto]

Hey I figure she'll go or blow lol, haven't had one pop yet!

[@jimthecarguy]

Yet is the key word lol

[@SouthMainAuto]

shhhhhh

[@adamtrombino106]

I watched this just to see your process, as I am always willing to learn. I always solder them, and have even repaired open individual elements using solder. It just takes some 'technique' .. lol.. The glass shop I deal with uses the same stuff as rear view mirrors are held on with, with good success. Just sayn.

[@dominicprice1396]

Brilliant fix - I have the same problem but am worried the glass might crack with the heat. Yours was fine think I'll give it a go.

[@t3hpyro]

Thank you! All the shops want to replace the whole window!! So dumb, this is all it needs.

[@traxonja]

Thanks for this. I was worried that the glass would break due to shocking it with heat from soldering iron. Will attempt on my own and see what happens. I might preheat the glass a bit just to be on the safe side.

[@jimchalmers8310]

Very straight forward, holding the tab at the window was a little difficult , but it worked.

[@rgurtler]

Great informative video! I just got a Jeep liberty with this problem, I'm going to fix it thanks to you! Rich, NSP

[@rjtecellc]

I'll try that in a few days no hurry for me on this, thanks.

[@seanwalsh3627]

Thanks for the helpful video from a very grateful viewer in Ireland. I bought a used Hyundai SUV with the tab broken off the rear window. Unfortunately, when it parted company with the glass it took a chunk of the copper heater circuit on the glass with it, so I had a big gap on the track and a slightly trickier job. AND the solder was running downwards instead of onto the heater circuit. On the Hyundai, the glass also has hinges and can open separately so it's easy to take the glass right off, two 10mm bolts and two gas struts. - 3 C / 26 F outside so I took it indoors, let it get to room temperature turned it over and set it on a table. Soldering so much easier with gravity working in my favour. I was able to get a decent run of solder all around the outside of the tab and it seems to be a pretty sound repair. To be honest, I was also afraid of busting the glass with the heat, and if it hadn't been for your very useful video, I wouldn't have tried it.

[@SouthMainAuto]

+sean walsh Well cool glad to hear it didn't explode. I am still waiting on one to blow up.

[@madelinedemorato3965]

sean walsh Hi, I have something of the same issue you did. Looking from the outside the whole center of drivers side square circuit connection (at the end of the grid) is separated from the glass. It's hanging on by 1/16 of an inch, or less, around 3 of the edges of the square. It's clear glass in the center where it came off. My question to you is how did you get section of the circuit that broke off with the tab to stay attached to the glass after you soldered it to the grid?

[@robbenmitchell7949]

I bought that crap tab repair epoxy from AutoZone. First time it didn't work at all, I followed the instructions, didn't work. Bought another kit, cleaned the connections and did it agian. Kinda worked but my rear window wouldn't defrost . Watched this vid, bought a soldiering gun, rosin core solider. I was concerned because I had bad luck with soldiering in the past, just couldn't solider. I did exactly as he instructed, but I cleaned the tab and the spot on the grid where I was going to solider. Put the soldiering gun , waited for it to cool with a small screwdriver and held it for 30 seconds. It held. I turned the defroster and checked the tab area with my finger, it was warm. I blew my breath on the rear window, the fog started to go away where my breath was. It got so warm then when I breathed on the window it would not fog. Stay away from the epoxy crap, this is the only way to properly to reattach a tab.

[@W333dm4n]

i was thinking of soldering it but i was afraid it might mess up the part on the window. guess not. Thanks boss. Other guy was talking about buying a "kit" I turned that chyt right off.

[@breezeautosales]

Nice job my friend now I have to go do an 08 pathfinder.

[@damonhager7085]

Great video. Greetings from across the pond in England.

[@margaritorosas1360]

it looks very easy to fix , I'm doing mine now , thank you :)

[@renevara8899]

Glue kits don't work when you don't have patience, lol. This method works great, Saving rear defrosters since 2016 , lol

[@anooliotewari5355]

Very useful. Great video, thank you!

[@jesset6574]

Glue kit does not work electrical current sometimes doesn’t go through thanks for the help I just did this worked great

[@mtoddvan]

Nice! Looked at conductive adhesive, most around $20, all have a cure time of about 24 hours & suggested that you keep connected warm for better cure, around 100°, they kinda seem like a pain to use to me. Only thing I might do different from you is use some flux rosin to help float the soldier little better, not that your 60/40 is bad or wrong just little more confident bonding.

[@mynameismudd7674]

Another jam you helped me out of again. Thanks bro

[@markroper9269]

My 2018 Expedition Max had the solder fail. It seems to be a thing with Expeditions:( They wanted $175 to fix it!!! Some dealers are replacing the entire rear glass......$1300!!! I am going to give it a go, thanks for the info!! The sad thing is that I hardly ever use it! But, when I look in the rear view.....there it dangles!!! errrrrr Going to sub as a thank you for the info! Be safe.

[@stuzman52]

As Steve mentioned, nice tip Eric...

[@SouthMainAuto]

Hey thanks Terry, Didn't realize how many other guys did this video on YT or I might have skipped it but hey now I can add my version to the pile.

[@nicktr823]

thank you Eric, will try this later to fix my rear defroster..

[@kurtiwaniuk]

Thanks for the easy fix tip!

[@LeandreTexier]

Well i'm glad that i googled this problem on international languague) I have both my defroser contacts fallen off and tried to search answers in my language where the only "solution" is glue which is not solution at all considering comments about it. Also some people solder but they say that it's not strong enough and that the only option is to buy a new rear glass and that's heavy! I mean, maybe i'd already went this way if i could find new glass not from some chineese manufacturer but from ariginal factory, but there are absolutely none. So thanks for a video, i'll take a try when next summer begins.

[@flyboy2610]

Great tip! I need to fix the wife's 2006 Trailblazer. This should do the trick!

[@markbelden6919]

Fixing a 07 trailblazer tomorrow!!

[@neiljarvis8911]

Great job, thought about soldering it back but was worried about cracking window.

[@jenhart1779]

I’m about to go out to my Jeep and try both sides😮 thanks for the great vid.👍

[@ppenberthy]

This worked great. Thanks

[@mikechiodetti6737]

Nice simple repair!

[@eldoradony]

I have done the exact repair numerous times. This is a winter job as people don't use their rear defroster a in warm weather. I have always been concerned with the cold glass shattering from the soldering iron so I heat the area with a heat gun to bring the glass up to "hot to the touch" around the repair area.

[@SouthMainAuto]

Yeah I often wondered about that too but haven't had one blow up yet... oh great now I said it...

[@fonzo2525]

that glass is meant to withstand extreme temps,it's almost plastic,made of many layers,no way it would ever blow out,it's like pyrex,the old kind,lol

[@snoopdogie187]

Tell that to my subaru outback. With some deer related incident, with no direct contact to the the rear window. The entire rear window shattered. A ton of tiny pieces. I've been meaning to clean it up but I'm afraid of it. Maybe it can handle heat better than this? But it doesn't seem like it had much in common with plastic.

[@cameronwebb3959]

Awesome video. Love all your videos

[@billhlad]

Love it! I'm gonna try this, thank you!

[@davidcardoza8790]

Same exact vehicle I have this issue on! Thanks!

[@aytonbob]

Thanks for the advice.

[@sniper_1537]

Wow !! thanks for the tip.....easy fix...and it works

[@djfactoruk]

Your a genius son - God Bless

[@siklykekb]

Great video. Because I am a true beginner. 👍🏾👍🏾

[@mohammedammer786]

Thank you great video and great information buddy 👍

[@63256325N]

Thanks for the video.

[@nausheenzubair1184]

Simple and easy. Thank you...

[@Konigszapfen]

Great video! I wish it was that easy for me! Now nearly at my third hour of trying to get this to work and it just friggin won't 🤯🤯🤯

[@SteveRobReviews]

Nice tip- Thanks

[@SouthMainAuto]

Thanks Steve... I know its small potatoes but it's a common problem none the less.