Rear Defroster problem

[BCbear]

Hello all. I have a 1999 Corolla that I've had for a few month's now. It rained heavily the other night and I had to use my defroster for the first time in awhile. What I did notice was my rear window defroster was not clearing the window. My dash light came on but the window was still foggy after a 20 minute drive. I looked around for the wire tab on the side of the window but didn't see one (it was dark out though) to see if somehow it was a loose connection. Is there a way to test the rear defroster elements? Thank you.

[The ///Man]

Originally Posted by BCbear

Hello all. I have a 1999 Corolla that I've had for a few month's now. It rained heavily the other night and I had to use my defroster for the first time in awhile. What I did notice was my rear window defroster was not clearing the window. My dash light came on but the window was still foggy after a 20 minute drive. I looked around for the wire tab on the side of the window but didn't see one (it was dark out though) to see if somehow it was a loose connection. Is there a way to test the rear defroster elements? Thank you.

you can run a voltage meter between the two lead and check for current. also look at the lines from the inside out, they should appear dark form the inside, if they appear orange from the inside, they are most likely scraped off.

[zuzu_]

Frost Fighter rear defroster fixit guide

[BCbear]

The ///Man "you can run a voltage meter between the two lead and check for current" Where are these leads? Is it underneath the C pillar trim?

[BCbear]

I read somewhere on a defroster fixing website that one check was to use a voltmeter to make sure there was current reaching the element. It said to touch the positive lead to the drivers side element and the negative lead to the frame (I attached to the rear door latch). My reading was 12.4v so the power seems to be making it to the elements. Is there anything you see I might have done wrong? I cannot see the defroster tabs that attach to the window/element. Remember that the entire element array does not work, not just the odd line. I'm baffled!

[The ///Man]

Originally Posted by BCbear

The ///Man "you can run a voltage meter between the two lead and check for current" Where are these leads? Is it underneath the C pillar trim?

the leads are behind the plastic c pillar covers. you are going to want to test it with the defroster off, especially if you are getting a reading with it on.