1999 4runner Rear Defog Not Working

[YOTAGEN3]

I have a 1999 4runner that I bought 4 months ago and the rear defog appears to not have worked for me at all. I am in the cold country of Minnesota so I really need to get this thing working. Here is what I know so far:

* The 15A fuse was blown so I replaced it. (it hasn't blown again)
* The relay is good. I swapped the outlet power relay with the Defog relay. They are the same part number. both are OK.
* The switch is good. I see the light comes on and the side mirrors warm up.
* The rear wiper works.
* The window goes up and down. The window is all the way up.
* I know the limit switch is working since the switch light goes out if I lower the glass a small amount.
* I don't see any voltage on the resistance elements running through the window.
* The wire loom that goes between the body and the hatch has broken insulation on 2 wires. The black one and the blue one. But they both appear to still be connected fine.
* The two metal tabs have both wires connected.

Any help would be great.
Thank you.

 

[3rzrunner]

My rear defog didn't work, and it turned out to be that the defog lines had either corroded or been scratched slightly because after swapping out the glass it works perfectly.

maybe that's the case with yours?

best of luck.

 

[HiMiles]

Get a continuity checker with a very long lead and check the hot wire from the relay to the female tab connector at the rear windshield. I had the exact same problems with the exact same symptoms, and it was a broken wire in the hinge harness area.

You can check the resistance of the heater element if you're concerned that may be the problem.