Rear Defroster problem. Yes I've already searched.

[Hairris]

Last year we had a storm come though our area and a branch off a tree busted out my back window. I hadn't really paid that much attention to it, but after the body shop reinstalled the rear window, I am currently finding out that my rear defroster doesn't work(even though button works, light comes on).

Yes, I have searched for info on how to take apart the rear gate and found some info, but mainly I didn't know once I have the panel off, how do I check to see if the defroster works.

What do I need to check, and how? Does anyone have a write up for this?

 

[cabowally]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/100275-service-manual-download-links.html


Windshield > Windowglass > window defogger system







.

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

You sure they put in defrosting glass?

 

[jdkilroy]

may be a simple matter of connecting the wires to the defroster circuit that is part of the window; the installer may have forgotten to do it in the first place or not well secured.

The pilot light in the switch works regardless of whether the power is actually going to the defroster circuit in the window.

Don't be afraid of taking the back panel off; its pretty easy and goes back together without a hitch.

 

[Hairris]

may be a simple matter of connecting the wires to the defroster circuit that is part of the window; the installer may have forgotten to do it in the first place or not well secured.

The pilot light in the switch works regardless of whether the power is actually going to the defroster circuit in the window.

Don't be afraid of taking the back panel off; its pretty easy and goes back together without a hitch.

Thanks for the confidence boost! I ended up taking the panel off and just as you said the installer forgot to connect the wires on the window. Just two wires hanging there literally almost touching the connectors they should have been plugged into. So annoying that people would not finish the job, but thankful for this site to help me out!