Rear window defroster

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,938 POSTS
With a multi meter check for an open circuit on the demister grid, check switch operation, check for power at the switch and power at the grid, start here.
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Friday, March 17th, 2017 AT 2:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
INDYCINDY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 71,000 MILES
Heater problem
2001 Chevy Impala 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 71000 miles

My rear defrost has stopped working. Any idea what could be wrong? The light on the dash says it's on but the window doesn't get warm.
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Friday, March 17th, 2017 AT 2:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DENNYP
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,823 POSTS
It could be a broken wire in the window grid. You can find it by turning the defroster on and wiping fine steel wool across the grid. Look for small sparks when doing this. This will pinpoint the break in the grid. Repair kits are available.
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Friday, March 17th, 2017 AT 2:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WAYNE BOREN
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 42,000 MILES
Electrical problem
2004 Chevy Impala 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 42000 miles

Rear window defoster does not work.
Light comes on when button pushed. No noise at relay. Have power to relay on upper right terminal. Left upper right terminal when engine is started.
Right lower terminal changes in resistance when activating defrost switch. No change in left lower.
Relay has been replaced and breaker was changed out with power seat breaker with no change. No power to grid on rear window when switch activated.
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Friday, March 17th, 2017 AT 2:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Hi Wayne Boren, Welcome to 2carpros and TY for the donation

Check the HVAC control module rear defog relay control circuit and the radio antenna control module-see diagram below


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_w1_18.jpg




https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_w2_14.jpg




https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_w3_11.jpg

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Friday, March 17th, 2017 AT 2:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WAYNE BOREN
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I mentioned in my email that I already have the diagram. Your diagram is unreadable an is too small to see detail because it is blurry. I was hoping that you could give me some pointers based on what I have check. The antena module does not affect reception as other people have mentioned. If I have power to the relay (and it has been replaced) then why doesn't it click when the button is activated?
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Friday, March 17th, 2017 AT 2:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
I'm not aware of any email you have sent-I was asked to assist here-If you have the diagram-

Check the body control module it powers the coil side of the relay and the HVAC module grounds it -also the defog circuit goes thru the antenna module before it hits the grid-inspect the grid for open
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Friday, March 17th, 2017 AT 2:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WAYNE BOREN
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Do you need special equipment to check the body control module? I mentioned earlier that their is pwr to both top pins on the relay. Left side is for the coil so that tells me there is power. Does the body control module act as a ground to complete the circuit?
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Friday, March 17th, 2017 AT 2:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Its the HVAC module that grounds it-that's if you got power on the coil side of the relay

Yes you do -to check the BCM and the dealer has it
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Friday, March 17th, 2017 AT 2:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WAYNE BOREN
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I think it is the HVAC control module because a jumped the circuit across from the always hot to the rear window and it worked. Athough I would not recommend a paper clip because it get red hot. The relay is misleading because it is not set up the same a the diagram. It is in an X pattern. I will take it from here.
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Friday, March 17th, 2017 AT 2:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RAY K
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • CHEVROLET IMPALA
Rear window defroster does not work even with button on (light lit up ) on 2002 chevy impala with small v-6 and 122 thousand miles
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Friday, March 17th, 2017 AT 2:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RPAINT01
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
My rear defroster is no longer working. It barely worked for a while after I bought it in Jul 2006 (used). Now it's stopped working completely. I did have the battery replaced and it's possible that's when the defrost stopped completely, but I can't positively correlate the two items. I've also replaced the Rear Window Defroster Relay (passenger side fuse box) and that didn't solve my problem. I've checked grid continuity and I get 0 ohm reading (no breaks in the grid). I get 0 Volts across the connectors when the switch is on. The indicator light is illuminated when the switch is on as well. What should I check next? Thanks.
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Friday, March 17th, 2017 AT 2:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Very wel, l you got the basic idea on what's going on
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Friday, March 17th, 2017 AT 2:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHN VINTI
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
  • 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 89,800 MILES
Heater problem
2003 Chevy Impala 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 89800 miles

What causes this fan motor to act like this: Sometimes when I start the car the fan runs normally. However the next time I start the car the fan will not run at all and the cruise light is on in the dash (even though the cruise is not on). Also the rear window defogger malfunctions. Then If I put the fan control to the highest setting the cruise light will go off but no matter what setting the fan control is set at, usually around 15 minutes driving time, the cruise light goes off and the fan motor turns on all by itself and everything starts working fine again. The wife thinks the car is Haunted! I said nonsense, lets ask someone who knows something.
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Friday, March 17th, 2017 AT 2:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DENNYP
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,823 POSTS
Replace the ignition switch assembly. There is an intermittent loss of voltage on one of the circuits. I have seen this problem on multiple impalas
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Friday, March 17th, 2017 AT 2:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHN VINTI
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Hey dennyp thank you for your response. Is this some- thing I can do at home or strictly a dealer repair. Since the key is on the dash of this model I know it can be very difficult to get behind the dashboard. I imagine that's were the assembly is. Is it possible for a pretty handy "home mechanic"with plenty of tools?
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Friday, March 17th, 2017 AT 2:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DENNYP
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,823 POSTS
I would recommend taking to the dealer since there is a possibility it could need theft system programming after the repair. It is also somewhat difficult to get into the dash. The repair procedure is too much info for me to post on here, so if you do it youself have a repair manual handy.
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Friday, March 17th, 2017 AT 2:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BETTYYESTER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 250,000 MILES
Fan motor and rear window defrost don't come on all the time mechanic says it needs a ac heater control head which is 475.00 could it be anything cheaper
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Friday, March 17th, 2017 AT 2:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,262 POSTS
Make sure they have checked the switches. The rear defroster and fan motor are on different circuits.
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Friday, March 17th, 2017 AT 2:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,542 POSTS
  • 2008 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 75,000 MILES
Where is the rear defogger switch to turn on and off on my 2008 Impala
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Wednesday, November 13th, 2019 AT 11:33 AM (Merged)

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