How to test rear defroster in summer?

TeryT

TeryT

New member
I know this seems like a funny question, but I have just a few days left on my warranty. I told the dealer a couple years back that two of the middle lines on the rear defroster don't work, but they said they had no way to test them in the summer. (We live in Phoenix, so there's not much opportunity to use them here. )

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

Thanks!!!
 
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I dunno just throwing this out there

Boil water in a pot bring it inside the 4runner, take the lid off by the back window and steam it up? while having defrost on
 
The lines on the defroster are just painted on the inside of the glass. Are there visable breaks on the suspect lines? If theres a break that line won't work.

Most commonly cargo shifts around and scratches a little break in the paint. They sell kits to fix this yourself, its very easy.
 
offshorebear said:
The lines on the defroster are just painted on the inside of the glass. Are there visable breaks on the suspect lines? If theres a break that line won't work.

Most commonly cargo shifts around and scratches a little break in the paint. They sell kits to fix this yourself, its very easy.
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No, that's the frst thing I did was visually inspect 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 . . . Then will I have to replicate it with the dealer? Maybe take a picture . . .
 
TeryT said:
I know this seems like a funny question, but I have just a few days left on my warranty. I told the dealer a couple years back that two of the middle lines on the rear defroster don't work, but they said they had no way to test them in the summer. (We live in Phoenix, so there's not much opportunity to use them here. )

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

Thanks!!!
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If you are careful, you can check each line in the defroster grid with a VOM using the DC testing circuit. With the rear defroster circuit on, put one lead at the end of a trace, and then check the trace at different points with the other lead. Because of the resistance in each trace, the readings will gradually differ as you move the 2nd lead away from the first. If there is a break in a trace, then the readings will abruptly jump to either full potential or 0 vdc, depending on which end you have the stationary lead, when the moving test lead 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 way, it is basic auto electrics 101. :confused:
 
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TechWrench said:
If you are careful, you can check each line in the defroster grid with a VOM using the DC testing circuit. With the rear defroster circuit on, put one lead at the end of a trace, and then check the trace at different points with the other lead. Because of the resistance in each trace, the readings will gradually differ as you move the 2nd lead away from the first. If there is a break in a trace, then the readings will abruptly jump to either full potential or 0 vdc, depending on which end you have the stationary lead, when the moving test lead 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 way, it is basic auto electrics 101. :confused:
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yep^

mine will be noticeable too if the back window is soaked [like from rain] i can see lines in it where the defrost is
 
leftyguns21 said:
"You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves."
.....Abraham Lincoln
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I really like the thought behind this quote, which is often erroneously attributed to Lincoln. See here for the full quote and its source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_J._H._Boetcker
 
Success! (now waiting on Toyota)

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 it or exclude it. 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 have no way of testing or fixing it, save replacing the entire back window! Glass is not covered on this warranty, so again, we shall see!

The way I got the pictures was to place 3 hot pots of water inside by the back, and then rubbed some bags of crushed ice on the window with the defroster running. In the 100 degree+ garage it took about 10 minutes but it became obvious the number 6 & 7 lines from the top were not working at all. I then took pictures from various angles, inside and out.

I'm going out now to make sure the Xreas isn't leaking or if I can see anything else. Is there any thing else I should be looking for before it goes off the extended warranty!
 
TeryT said:
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 it or exclude it. 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 have no way of testing or fixing it, save replacing the entire back window! Glass is not covered on this warranty, so again, we shall see!



/I][/B]
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Is your rear glass tinted with an aftermarket tint film? I ask, because the procedure I suggested to 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.
 
TechWrench said:
Is your rear glass tinted with an aftermarket tint film? I ask, because the procedure I suggested to 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.
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I didn't add any tint. I got it used, but I'm sure the old couple who were the 1st owners didn't tint it!

Thanks! If that is the case, I wonder why they were saying they didn't have a way to test it. What you describe is basic electricity 101 actually!
 
TeryT said:
Is there any thing else I should be looking for before it goes off the extended warranty!
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Carefully inspect the engine and all drivetrain parts for any signs of leaking fluids. I don't think the 4th Gen has a reputation for any particular parts failing prematurely, but still check everything out.
 
toto said:
Carefully inspect the engine and all drivetrain parts for any signs of leaking fluids. I don't think the 4th Gen has a reputation for any particular parts failing prematurely, but still check everything out.
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4Lo works, what about the CDL? They can freeze if not used and its a big time $$ to repair them.
 
004Gunner said:
I agree with getting the windows steamed up. Do I really need to say how I would go about doing this?
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Would it have anything to do with eskimochaos's avitar?:biggrin2: Sorry, but even at night albeit in the Phoenix heat you wouldn't giterdone that way!

The dealer today said they were amazed that the rear defroster is covered! Glass is specifically excluded, and it doesn't specifically say the rear window defroster is covered. So I'm dropping it off tomorrow to have them do it while I still have warranty left. (Although they still don't know what they can do short of replacing the window!)
 
TeryT said:
Would it have anything to do with eskimochaos's avitar?:biggrin2: Sorry, but even at night albeit in the Phoenix heat you wouldn't giterdone that way!

The dealer today said they were amazed that the rear defroster is covered! Glass is specifically excluded, and it doesn't specifically say the rear window defroster is covered. So I'm dropping it off tomorrow to have them do it while I still have warranty left. (Although they still don't know what they can do short of replacing the window!)
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The more you report about what this dealership is telling you, the less I am inclined to think they should be your dealer of choice to have work on the vehicle. If they would just READ the shop manual for the 4Runner, it explains, in detail just how to test the defroster grid for function and to isolate broken grid traces. Just after the test procedure, is the procedure to repair a broken grid trace. It isn't that complicated, Toyota, and other parts outlets sell a kit with a conductive liquid that you use to repair a small break in the trace. I have used this system for years, on many different vehicles, and if you are careful, it works well, and isn't noticeable. Why would anyone want to replace the entire window assy., and risk them making the problem worse, or causing another issue during the removal/install. :confused::confused::confused:
 
It's fixed!

TechWrench said:
The more you report about what this dealership is telling you, the less I am inclined to think they should be your dealer of choice to have work on the vehicle. If they would just READ the shop manual for the 4Runner, it explains, in detail just how to test the defroster grid for function and to isolate broken grid traces. Just after the test procedure, is the procedure to repair a broken grid trace. It isn't that complicated, Toyota, and other parts outlets sell a kit with a conductive liquid that you use to repair a small break in the trace. I have used this system for years, on many different vehicles, and if you are careful, it works well, and isn't noticeable. Why would anyone want to replace the entire window assy., and risk them making the problem worse, or causing another issue during the removal/install. :confused::confused::confused:
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I've gone over the two malfunctioning runs very closely and can find no break. The dealer did too. It seems they weren't making contact at the main side bus.

In any case, they replaced the rear window under extended warranty and I just tested it with my pot of boiling water and ice bag - THE NEW WINDOW & DEFROSTER WORKS GREAT!

Anybody want my old rear 4R window? They gave me the old one so I could remove the T4R.ORG stencil and put it on the new one.

(BTW: This was a nearly $700 job. This makes the Toyota Platinum Warranty I bought for $700 four years ago pay for itself about 7-8 times over!)
 
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TeryT said:
I've gone over the two malfunctioning runs very closely and can find no break. The dealer did too. It seems they weren't making contact at the main side bus.

In any case, they replaced the rear window under extended warranty and I just tested it with my pot of boiling water and ice bag - THE NEW WINDOW & DEFROSTER WORKS GREAT!

Anybody want my old rear 4R window? They gave me the old one so I could remove the T4R.ORG stencil and put it on the new one.

(BTW: This was a nearly $700 job. This makes the Toyota Platinum Warranty I bought for $700 four years ago pay for itself about 7-8 times over!)
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Glad they finally were able to resolve the problem for you.:beer:
 
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