Contents: Examination ⇓ Repair ⇓
Minor tears in the rear window defroster heating elements can be repaired without removing the rear window.
Examination
1. Check the heater fuse, switch, relay and connecting wires.
2. Wrap the voltmeter probes in aluminum foil. Touch the positive probe of the voltmeter to the positive side of the grid.
3. Using the negative probe, check the voltage at the center of each heating element. If the voltage is 5 volts, then the heating element is OK. If the voltage is high (10-12 volts), then the element has a break between the middle and the positive side. If the voltage is 0 volts, the element has a break between the center and the negative side.
4. To find the break, touch the positive probe of the voltmeter to the positive terminal of the heater. Place the negative probe against the positive end of the heating element and extend the probe to the negative side of the element. The point at which tension appears is the rupture point.
Repair
1. Use a special repair kit that includes a conductive compound.
2. Apply a strip of conductive compound to the break. Wait 24 hours before using the heater.