Rear defroster install?

Topic: Rear defroster install? (Read 1606 times) previous topic - next topic

Rear defroster install?

October 15, 2009, 03:46:51 PM

So, has anyone on here actually installed a rear defrost successfully in a car that did not come with it?
Any ideas about how to go about this? Would I need to plunder a car for the original wiring? I figure I could get the window from a glass shop with the wires already in it, but would it be easier to use an aftermarket kit?

I did a search for rear defrost, but all I got was a bunch of posts with whining about how they couldn't get theirs fixed:D

Rear defroster install?

Reply #1 – October 15, 2009, 04:31:50 PM

The aftermarket kits don't give you as much coverage as the factory- they also look kind of cheesy IMO. I had an 84 bird w/o defrost and I know for sure the wiring was already there. I couldn't afford the rear glass back then-but the wires were def under the rear deck in the wire harness.

Rear defroster install?

Reply #2 – October 17, 2009, 12:51:04 AM

Hmm, guess I'll have to crawl into the trunk and check it out, was the connector to the window there on yours? Has anyone asked the glass shops what they use to reconnect the power to these when the windows get replaced?

Rear defroster install?

Reply #3 – October 17, 2009, 10:21:08 AM

Yes-the wires had the terminals on the end of them. I cant remeber where the factory defroster switch is supposed to be located but look behind the factory switch location and you should see the factory plug or wires there.

Rear defroster install?

Reply #4 – October 18, 2009, 04:25:25 AM

Quote from: kendoo130;295169

Yes-the wires had the terminals on the end of them. I cant remeber where the factory defroster switch is supposed to be located but look behind the factory switch location and you should see the factory plug or wires there.

The factory location for the defroster switch is on the right side of the HVAC slide control panel. It mirrors the blower speed switch on the left side.

Rear defroster install?

Reply #5 – October 26, 2009, 03:41:46 PM

Quote from: Watchdevil;295299

The factory location for the defroster switch is on the right side of the HVAC slide control panel. It mirrors the blower speed switch on the left side.

I should have asked this question before I did the rotary conversion, because that panel sucks to take in and out. Thanks for the replies guys!

Rear defroster install?

Reply #6 – October 26, 2009, 10:59:35 PM

Quote from: jrad235;296457

I should have asked this question before I did the rotary conversion, because that panel sucks to take in and out. Thanks for the replies guys!

I did the rotary conversion too and relocated the switch to the space that used to occupy my premium sound on-off button in the lower section of the stack with the cig lighter and power antenna switch.

Rear defroster install?

Reply #7 – October 27, 2009, 02:55:43 AM

Heheh, I never did take a final picture of that particular panel once it was completed. I should do that and post a picture, it's pretty well occupied, but I'm sure I could find a place to put the switch.

Rear defroster install?

Reply #8 – October 27, 2009, 05:58:16 AM

I would find a junkyard car with defroster. There is a special type of glue that you can use to glue the contacts on with, but I would imagine you could probably get the back window out without removing them. Sounds like a good junkyard thing.

How hard is it to take the rear window out? I've got some rust near mine I would like to check out.

Rear defroster install?

Reply #9 – October 27, 2009, 08:43:56 AM

While cleaning the inside of the rear package tray I accidentally bumped one of the defroster contacts off the rear window. There is a special bonding compound that is used to reattach it and no rear window removal is required.

Rear defroster install?

Reply #10 – October 27, 2009, 11:51:39 AM

Hopefully the compounds have gotten better, because a search on here turned up no useful anything for reattaching that connector.

I was going to call a shop and get a quote to replace the rear glass with OE defroster glass.

Rear defroster install?

Reply #11 – October 27, 2009, 08:15:38 PM

Quote from: Watchdevil;296576

While cleaning the inside of the rear package tray I accidentally bumped one of the defroster contacts off the rear window. There is a special bonding compound that is used to reattach it and no rear window removal is required.

I just did this to my window this weekend. I could not find any adhesive anywhere to connect it back to the window. I wound up soldering the connector back on the window-What a BIG PAIN IN THE ASS!!!! It literally took me about 2 hours before I got it to hold. It worked this morning going to work-for how long I don't know. If you guys find the name of the adhesive please post up the name-Thanks.

Rear defroster install?

Reply #12 – October 28, 2009, 04:50:01 AM

http://www.frostfighter.com/

I have read some links on it for the past 10 minutes, and soldering it is the correct way to attach it. Newer cars use a di-electric adhesive to hole them on, and are designed to fail every couple of years for some reason.

I would not worry about the solder as long as it is a good connection.

Rear defroster install?

Reply #13 – October 28, 2009, 04:50:20 AM

Oh, I have also seen the repair kit for around $15 at my autozone.