BOOM! Rear window exploded this morning

Add my 2006 truck to this list. Happened this morning. Rained last night, so the truck was covered in water and dew. We live in north Florida, outside temp was probably 75 and very humid. Taking our son to camp, I turned on the rear defroster to dry the rear window. Dropped him off, heading home then BOOM! Probably ~15 minutes from start to it shattering. I guess I'm going to call Safelite now. :(
 
oh man I kinda wish I never saw this thread.

Anyone do any sucessful voltage/wiring/resistor mods?

It does sound like its happening when the defroster auto-shuts off. Maybe that area near the heating elements gets extra hot, then cools too quickly.- The hotter something gets, the faster it cools, and tempered glass does not like flexing.
 


Both wires on mine burnt except one looks worst than the other as you can see. Seems like Toyota is fawking up on something that they had no problems with since the first gen. Let's not even get into that rattling sunroof...:faint2:





Elan750 said:
oh man I kinda wish I never saw this thread.

Anyone do any sucessful voltage/wiring/resistor mods?

It does sound like its happening when the defroster auto-shuts off. Maybe that area near the heating elements gets extra hot, then cools too quickly.- The hotter something gets, the faster it cools, and tempered glass does not like flexing.
Click to expand...
 
Got my rear window replaced yesterday by Safelite. Technician snapped a photo of the leads for me and they seem to be burnt to me as well. He suggested leaving them unattached for now, to prevent another breakage. Would it be possible to splice in new connectors, since the current ones seem to be bad?
 

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I was thinking about the heat buildup issue and was brainstorming things at work that may help.

1. adding dielectric grease to the connectors for an even connection. if the connection point is small\uneven, heat can build up quickly. the grease would make a larger connection point allowing faster current/lower heat. Or solder!

2. would there be room to add a little stick on computer heatsink to the surrounding area?

These two thinks may seem very minor, but it could only be a matter of a couple degrees to stay in the glass safe zone.
 
Once I got our new rear window, I had the installer leave the rear defroster connectors unattached from the rear window. Didn't want to blow out a second window.
 
Add me to the list. Happened this morning, in traffic defroster on for maybe 15 minutes and boom back glass shatters. Sitting at Safelite now waiting for them to repair it. Ughhhh cool feature Toyota.....
 
Im gonna just pull the fuse to the rear defroster.. keep the window coated with anti fog and rain-x.. this exploding window scares me lol
 
I never knew about this happening. I've used it a few times over the years, even though we don't get super cold temps, there are occasions. Guess I'll never use it again. I would hate for that to happen while my daughter's in back. Yikes!
 
just so yall know I got a Letter last year in the mail from Toyota talking about if the back window shatters to bring it to a dealer and they'll replace it for no charge to the customer. I wish I still had the letter but a move later and theres no telling where it went

Update: Google "Toyota 4runner rear window replacement warranty" and the letter is the first one that popped up for me
 
Last edited:
Elan750 said:
I was thinking about the heat buildup issue and was brainstorming things at work that may help.

1. adding dielectric grease to the connectors for an even connection. if the connection point is small\uneven, heat can build up quickly. the grease would make a larger connection point allowing faster current/lower heat. Or solder!

2. would there be room to add a little stick on computer heatsink to the surrounding area?

These two thinks may seem very minor, but it could only be a matter of a couple degrees to stay in the glass safe zone.
Click to expand...

I thought dielectric grease was non-conductive? I generally use it to pack and protect connectors exposed to the elements.
 
Boom! It did it again.

07, sitting at a red light, 65° no defroster on and boom! So I don’t know if the defroster has anything to do with it. The stunned look of the guy behind me had to be similar to mine. Great way to end a Friday workday.
 
I bought a spare rear window that already has window tint similar to the rest of the glass. Hope I never have to use it.
 
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