[CarlosV]

I am afraid of bursting my rear window. Is there an easy way to temporary disable rear defrost (never use it, but accidentally gets turn on when putting thing in cup holders w/o me notice etc). The fuse(#15) in the engine bay for this involve other systems (multiport fuel injection). 2003 V6. Thanks

[AuSeeker]

Originally Posted by CarlosV

I am afraid of bursting my rear window. Is there an easy way to temporary disable rear defrost (never use it, but accidentally gets turn on when putting thing in cup holders w/o me notice etc). The fuse(#15) in the engine bay for this involve other systems (multiport fuel injection). 2003 V6. Thanks

Remove the interior hatch panel and then unplug the electrical connector on the window and secure it out of the way of any moving parts.

[CarlosV]

thanks a lot once again Auseeker

[montijo505]

Originally Posted by CarlosV

thanks a lot once again Auseeker

Alternately, break rear window with a bat. Not a problem if there is no glass to explode!


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[CarlosV]

brilliant! You should go to rest after this one :-)

[montijo505]

Originally Posted by CarlosV

brilliant! You should go to rest after this one :-)

Lol enjoy your weekend!

Seriously though I never use that defrost button at all out of fear. I should unplug it myself.


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[SurferUK]

What's all this about exploding rear windows?

[Bluesky 07]

Originally Posted by SurferUK

What's all this about exploding rear windows?

The apparent cause IIRC is unequal heating of the rear glass in defrost mode due to deterioration or breakage of the filament. So part of the glass heats up & expands slightly but the rest doesn’t. Under certain conditions, this leads to unexpected shattering of the rear glass.

[montijo505]

Originally Posted by SurferUK

What's all this about exploding rear windows?

Several members over the years have reported their rear sliding glass exploding. Always in cold weather when they try to use the rear window defrost button.


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[SurferUK]

Originally Posted by montijo505

Several members over the years have reported their rear sliding glass exploding. Always in cold weather when they try to use the rear window defrost button.


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Originally Posted by Bluesky 07

The apparent cause IIRC is unequal heating of the rear glass in defrost mode due to deterioration or breakage of the filament. So part of the glass heats up & expands slightly but the rest doesn’t. Under certain conditions, this leads to unexpected shattering of the rear glass.

Thanks for that - I don't think I would find that glass for sale here anywhere so I will leave that button alone!

[AuSeeker]

Originally Posted by SurferUK

What's all this about exploding rear windows?

Originally Posted by Bluesky 07

The apparent cause IIRC is unequal heating of the rear glass in defrost mode due to deterioration or breakage of the filament. So part of the glass heats up & expands slightly but the rest doesn’t. Under certain conditions, this leads to unexpected shattering of the rear glass.

Originally Posted by montijo505

Several members over the years have reported their rear sliding glass exploding. Always in cold weather when they try to use the rear window defrost button.


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I'm pretty sure I read the reason the glass was breaking was the electrical connection area itself was overheating and thus heating that corner of the glass causing uneven expansion which breaks the tempered glass.

Also here's a link to the Toyota "Extended Warranty" Technical Service Bulletin explaining the coverage, condition/inspection, etc. and it states that the condition can be identified by broken glass and discoloration surrounding the defroster electrical connector, there are photos as well.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...31801-9999.pdf

[montijo505]

Originally Posted by AuSeeker

I'm pretty sure I read the reason the glass was breaking was the electrical connection area itself was overheating and thus heating that corner of the glass causing uneven expansion which breaks the tempered glass.

Also here's a link to the Toyota "Extended Warranty" Technical Service Bulletin explaining the coverage, condition/inspection, etc. and it states that the condition can be identified by broken glass and discoloration surrounding the defroster electrical connector, there are photos as well.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...31801-9999.pdf

The takeaway here is, DO NOT use the defroster. Don't be lazy and scrape the rear window before your drive.

[MikeinNH67]

I wonder how often this actually happens percentage wise. I use mine often in the winter but always shut it off as soon as it is cleared, I don't let it stay on. No issues and it's an old truck.

[Sigma]

You can probably unplug the switch in the dash, or, if you don't roll down the rear window just roll it down ever so slightly. That will disable the rear defroster as well as the wiper and side view mirror heaters.

[TheUltimateBohab]

Originally Posted by Bluesky 07

The apparent cause IIRC is unequal heating of the rear glass in defrost mode due to deterioration or breakage of the filament. So part of the glass heats up & expands slightly but the rest doesn’t. Under certain conditions, this leads to unexpected shattering of the rear glass.

Holy Crap I never heard of this... it makes sense... I always use my rear defrost and some winter days here get 40-50 below... probably literally shit if i was on the way to work and rear window shattered without warning... man that kind of sucks! I'm pretty sure that same button also powers the side mirror defrost.... right unplug at rear door not switch...