Learn How To Repair A Damaged Rear Defogger In Your SUV
Posted on: 4 March 2016
If you notice that the rear defogger in your car is not working properly, it may need to be repaired. The defogger in SUVs can be damaged when you open and close the back door, if the vehicle has a back door. The following guide walks you through the process of repairing your rear defogger so that it can work properly again.
Inspect the Defogger
The first thing you need to do is look at the defogger and see if there is any obvious damage to the unit. The most common damage is when one of the electrical tabs snap when the back door is closed forcefully. To see if it is the electrical tabs that are damaged, look closely at the unit where it connects to the glass. The unit should slide out of the plastic tab that is attached to the glass. If you notice that the end of the unit is chipped, cracked, or missing, you will need to replace it.
Purchase a Replacement Defogger
To save money on the overall cost of the defogger repair, purchase the defogger secondhand at a shop that sells used auto parts, such as Bob Karl's Auto Wrecking. Defoggers are pretty universal, so finding the replacement part you need should be pretty easy. While you are at the shop, purchase the activator that you will need in order to create a connection between the contact area on the glass and your defogger. The sales person at the shop should be able to show you the activator you need.
Replace the Damaged Tab
Use a pair of pliers to gently pull the tab out of the used defogger and out of your defogger. Slip the tab that came out of the used defogger into your defogger and sand down the connectors lightly so that you can get a good connection when you put everything back together.
Clean All Connectors Thoroughly
Dip a cotton swab into rubbing alcohol and lightly clean the tab on the defogger and the connector that is attached to the window. This ensures that there will not be anything between the two connectors, blocking the transfer of information.
Apply the Activator
Open the activator and apply it to both the tab on the defogger and the connector on the rear windshield. The activator helps to ensure that the two connectors connect properly to one another.
Reattach the Defogger
Apply permanent glue to the tab and press it into the connector on the window. Hold it into place for a minute before you let go of it.
Once you take your hand down, the repair is complete. Allow the glue to dry overnight before you test to see if the defogger is working properly.
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