Author Topic: Rear Defroster (Read 1976 times)

HeliMike · « **on:** November 04, 2005, 03:49:54 PM »

*Dumb question of the day*^_^

I was just sitting here wondering why in the hell my rear defroster has NEVER worked on any aircooled VW I have ever owned? Even my untouched (before I owned it) fastback's rear defrost doesn't work but absolutely everything else does. Is there a common problem with these things or do they just suck ass and not work right from the plant?

Hansk · « **Reply #1 on:** November 04, 2005, 10:37:54 PM »

Ya , it's the element in the window. Probably only good for about 20 years or so. [_[

Bruce · « **Reply #2 on:** November 04, 2005, 11:34:05 PM »

Hans is right, the traces on the window degrade to the point where they don't conduct electricity. Replace your window with a new one and you have another 20+ years.

My theory is that the ammonia in most window cleaners is corrosive to the thin metal traces. That's why I wash the inside of my window with only very mild soap and water. Then I wipe it with a clean water soaked cloth to remove the soap residue. My window has the VW logo and says \"Made in USA\", so I know it isn't an original 30 year old window.

Three years ago a friend of mine bought a new defogger window from Gildford VW for his 71. I believe it was under $300. It is not a bad deal since they pay for shipping to Surrey, and if it breaks on the way, you are not responsible.

HeliMike · « **Reply #3 on:** November 05, 2005, 11:31:17 AM »

20years? That's it? ^_^

Thanks guys

GRK · « **Reply #4 on:** November 05, 2005, 02:47:00 PM »

you could put an ohm meter on the strips and find out where the break is . there used to be a product I think Lordco sold to patch up strips works for a while might get you through the winter?

Bruce · « **Reply #5 on:** November 05, 2005, 09:48:23 PM »

Quote

you could put an ohm meter on the strips and find out where the break is .

An ohm meter won't help you find the breaks. It doesn't matter where you touch the lines with the test leads, there will be as many as 7 other paths for the cct.

The only info an ohm meter can tell you is how many of the lines work. Put the test leads on the 2 power terminals and measure the whole grid. If it's completely shot you will have an open cct. A new one will be about 4 ohms, IIRC.