How To Test Rear Window Defroster

07-25-2009, 02:59 PM

I know this seems like a funny question, only I have simply a few days left on my warranty. I told the dealer a couple years back that ii of the eye lines on the rear defroster don't work, but they said they had no way to exam them in the summer. (We live in Phoenix, so at that place's not much opportunity to employ them here. )

Now it's summertime again & hot!!! Is there any way that anyone knows of testing them - and so I can accept the dealer do this?

Thanks!!!

07-25-2009, 03:54 PM

I dunno only throwing this out there

Boil water in a pot bring it inside the 4runner, take the chapeau off by the back window and steam information technology up? while having defrost on

07-25-2009, 04:fourteen PM

The lines on the defroster are just painted on the inside of the glass. Are in that location visable breaks on the doubtable lines? If theres a interruption that line won't work.

Most usually cargo shifts around and scratches a little break in the paint. They sell kits to fix this yourself, its very piece of cake.

07-25-2009, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted past offshorebear View Post

The lines on the defroster are only painted on the inside of the glass. Are in that location visable breaks on the suspect lines? If theres a break that line won't work.

Near commonly cargo shifts around and scratches a picayune break in the paint. They sell kits to fix this yourself, its very easy.

No, that's the frst matter I did was visually audit them.

Hmmm, somebody gave me an idea: maybe a pan of boiling water on the inside, after having a bag of ice held on the outside for a while . . . And so volition I have to replicate information technology with the dealer? Mayhap accept a motion picture . . .

07-26-2009, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted past TeryT View Post

I know this seems like a funny question, but I accept just a few days left on my warranty. I told the dealer a couple years back that ii of the eye lines on the rear defroster don't work, but they said they had no way to test them in the summer. (Nosotros live in Phoenix, so there's not much opportunity to utilise them hither. )

Now it'southward summertime once more & hot!!! Is there any fashion that anyone knows of testing them - so I tin can have the dealer do this?

Thanks!!!

If you are careful, you tin can cheque each line in the defroster grid with a VOM using the DC testing circuit. With the rear defroster excursion on, put one pb at the terminate of a trace, and and so check the trace at different points with the other lead. Because of the resistance in each trace, the readings will gradually differ as you movement the 2nd atomic number 82 abroad from the starting time. If there is a suspension in a trace, then the readings will abruptly jump to either full potential or 0 vdc, depending on which finish you have the stationary lead, when the moving test atomic number 82 is put on the trace just past the break. I am surprised the dealer tech doesn't know how to check a defroster grid this manner, it is basic machine electrics 101.

07-27-2009, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TechWrench View Post

If you are careful, you can cheque each line in the defroster grid with a VOM using the DC testing circuit. With the rear defroster circuit on, put 1 pb at the cease of a trace, and so check the trace at different points with the other lead. Because of the resistance in each trace, the readings volition gradually differ every bit you move the second lead away from the first. If there is a intermission in a trace, then the readings volition abruptly jump to either full potential or 0 vdc, depending on which end you take the stationary lead, when the moving test pb is put on the trace just past the interruption. I am surprised the dealer tech doesn't know how to check a defroster grid this way, information technology is basic car electrics 101.

yep^

mine volition be noticeable too if the back window is soaked [similar from pelting] i can see lines in it where the defrost is

07-27-2009, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leftyguns21 View Post

"You cannot assist the poor by destroying the rich.
Yous cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the potent.
Yous cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer downwards.
Y'all cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should practise for themselves."
.....Abraham Lincoln

I really like the thought behind this quote, which is often erroneously attributed to Lincoln. See hither for the full quote and its source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_J._H._Boetcker

07-27-2009, 07:49 PM

Well I have my pictures and contacted the dealer. They said they were calling Toyota to confirm it's covered under the Platinum Extra Care warranty.

The pamphlet doesn't specifically mention information technology or exclude information technology.

The closest it comes is saying it will cover the defroster relay and the heated mirrors. So we shall see.

The assist. service mgr. said the defroster is under the tinting, and they therefore take no way of testing or fixing it, save replacing the entire back window! Glass is not covered on this warranty, so once again, we shall run across!

The way I got the pictures was to place 3 hot pots of water inside by the dorsum, and and so rubbed some bags of crushed ice on the window with the defroster running. In the 100 degree+ garage it took about x minutes simply it became obvious the number vi & 7 lines from the top were not working at all. I then took pictures from various angles, inside and out.

I'k going out now to make sure the Xreas isn't leaking or if I tin can see anything else. Is at that place whatever affair else I should be looking for earlier it goes off the extended warranty!

07-27-2009, x:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeryT View Post

Well I have my pictures and contacted the dealer. They said they were calling Toyota to confirm it's covered under the Platinum Actress Care warranty.

The pamphlet doesn't specifically mention it or exclude it.

The closest it comes is maxim it will cover the defroster relay and the heated mirrors. So we shall see.

The aid. service mgr. said the defroster is under the tinting, and they therefore have no mode of testing or fixing it, save replacing the entire dorsum window! Glass is non covered on this warranty, so again, we shall see!

/I][/B]

Is your rear glass tinted with an aftermarket tint film? I enquire, because the procedure I suggested to bank check the defroster grid is outlined in the factory service manual for the '03. I will have to go out and check mine to see if the grid tracings are exposed, and available for testing, or embedded under tinting as the SM suggests.

07-27-2009, x:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TechWrench View Post

Is your rear glass tinted with an aftermarket tint movie? I ask, because the process I suggested to cheque the defroster grid is outlined in the mill service manual for the '03. I will have to become out and cheque mine to come across if the filigree tracings are exposed, and bachelor for testing, or embedded under tinting as the SM suggests.

I didn't add any tint. I got it used, simply I'thou sure the sometime couple who were the 1st owners didn't tint information technology!

Thank you! If that is the case, I wonder why they were proverb they didn't have a way to examination it. What you describe is basic electricity 101 really!

07-28-2009, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeryT View Post

Is there whatsoever thing else I should exist looking for earlier it goes off the extended warranty!

Advisedly inspect the engine and all drivetrain parts for any signs of leaking fluids. I don't call back the quaternary Gen has a reputation for any item parts failing prematurely, but all the same check everything out.

07-28-2009, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toto View Post

Carefully inspect the engine and all drivetrain parts for whatever signs of leaking fluids. I don't recall the 4th Gen has a reputation for any item parts failing prematurely, but yet check everything out.

4Lo works, what about the CDL? They tin can freeze if non used and its a big time $$ to repair them.