Rear Defrost Glass Wires Failing...

[gjd]

The rear defrost wires in my 2011 4Runner have stopped working (gradually, one-at-a-time) and it's now at the point where only a couple wires work.

What are my options? I see that there are conductive paint repair kits available - has anyone used one? Do they work? Other than that, I assume that I would have to replace the window.

Any advice is welcome.

 

[mo_mo]

The rear defrost wires in my 2011 4Runner have stopped working (gradually, one-at-a-time) and it's now at the point where only a couple wires work.

What are my options? I see that there are conductive paint repair kits available - has anyone used one? Do they work? Other than that, I assume that I would have to replace the window.

Any advice is welcome.

Haven't experienced this problem on the 4Runner personally. Make sure the wires are accessible for repair and not sandwich med between layers. I've successfully used a 'silver' pen in the past successfully for heating elements on glass.

 

[axxman]

I have used the repair kits, not with the 4runner. the trick is to find the "break" most likely you had something leaning up against the window and it scratched the element.

once you find the scratch or scratches. mark and use the repair kit to "paint over the scratch thereby restoring the connection.

it is pretty simple really, just make sure you find all the scratches.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

What are you storing in the back and/or cleaning the glass with that it is taking out the defroster grid?

 

[flyinhawaiian01]

Please don't say a razor blade!!! :wow:

Great pen for doing the repairs:

http://www.amazon.com/CircuitWriter-Precision-Pen-silver-based-grams/dp/B00B88B9KI

You can use a multimeter to check where the break is, but don't scratch the lines too hard as you can do more damage to them if you push too hard!

How many lines are out?

Oh yeah, to make perfect lines, use some masking tape to mask off the outer edges so you only "paint" the line back in without going outside. Like this:

 

[nevada]

The rear defrost wires in my 2011 4Runner have stopped working (gradually, one-at-a-time) and it's now at the point where only a couple wires work.

What are my options? I see that there are conductive paint repair kits available - has anyone used one? Do they work? Other than that, I assume that I would have to replace the window.

Any advice is welcome.

I would attempt the repair, or even pay to have it done before replacing the glass.

ive done it myself before, on my 85. it wasn't too bad, though the teeny bottle of stuff was kind of spendy.

it looks as though I have to do it again, as I now only have 2 wires working.
I need to get new wipers, as right now, the glass is sliding against the plastic clips, scraping the defroster lines...

Great pen for doing the repairs:

http://www.amazon.com/CircuitWriter-Precision-Pen-silver-based-grams/dp/B00B88B9KI

You can use a multimeter to check where the break is, but don't scratch the lines too hard as you can do more damage to them if you push too hard!

How many lines are out?

Oh yeah, to make perfect lines, use some masking tape to mask off the outer edges so you only "paint" the line back in without going outside. Like this:

yep, that looks like what I did.

with a decent DVOM, its not too difficult to find the break.

 

[flyrv9]

I made my own meter leads for this kind of work. I used wire with a solid center copper conductor that I filed down to a sharp point. Easy to poke through insulation or whatever. makes a very small hole that is easily covered up.