The rear defrost is on the right side of the steering wheel, correct? I just want to make sure we are talking about the same thing. The one I'm thinking of is between the hazard switch and the climate controls.

 

This one is below the vent on the left of the steering. With the gang of other switch plates and blanks

 

that's for your lower windshield/wipers....

 

According to the owner's manual, the switch should light up when you activate it and automatically turn off after a period of time so it sounds like yours is not working properly:


■ Windshield wiper de-icer (if equipped)


This feature is used to prevent ice from building up on the windshield


and wiper blades.


Press the switch to turn the system


on/off.




The indicator comes on when


the windshield wiper de-icer is


on.


The windshield de-icer will automatically


turn off after a period


of time.

 

OK...Maybe in 85F weather and hours under the hot sun, it doesn't even kick in?

 

Depending upon where in CA you live, you will likely never need it. I'll never need it here in the Bay Area unless I take a trip up to Tahoe. On the coast we rarely get temps below 35.

 

The switches for the front and rear defrosters are located just to the left of the driver's temperature control dial, which is part of the climate control system which is in the center stack. The button you are referring to is for the windshield & wiper de-icer, which is not the same as defrosting. Defrosting means removing fogging of the windshield on the inside. De-icing is obviously removing of ice on the outside. If the the de-icer button doesn't light up when you press it, it may be because there is no ice to get rid of and the car is smart enough to not engage the system when it is not needed.

 

Thanks for the responses, I had totally forgot about that feature.

I was up norht in 26F morning snow weather and didn't need it. I suspect it will be a while before SoCal needs a de-icing feature....
Only de-icer we need here are for little kids birthday parties with those toxic cake topings that usually taste like crap.

Further more, I'm not driving anywhere that I could test this feature. If I knew where the sensor was located , maybe I'd take a can of compressed air, or some ice to try and see if it lights up.

 

The de-ice button did light with the car in my heated garage but the engine had to be running.

 

thanks for that. I perhaps do have an issue with it.

 

Also, on the 2nd gen, it will shut off after a period of time on its own, I'm sure the 3rd gen is the same way.

Also the AC ecu will prevent that system (along with others) from working during dead cold (really cold) start ups if its trying to use the electric coolant heater (Coolant PTC heater) to accelerate coolant temp increase. Its a power hungry heater. Something to keep in mind if you were starting up then (I doubt you were, just saying).

Just point it out next time you get the oil changed.