where do I start looking for clues?
Fuse box?
Thx-Goose

 

Try installing a 30A fuse instead of the 30A breaker that the car comes with. If it still fails to work (or if it doesn't work consistantly) then you need a new back glass with a new defroster grid.........happened to mine within the first year!

 

Be careful with the 30a fuse dodge - I tried this and discovered that my fuse box was starting to melt after a short time! - I put a new 30a circuit breaker back in and have had no trouble since.

Good luck

 

Guess I should have elaborated a little................the PROBLEM with the defroster is that the resistance across the wires is too high?/low?.........whichever would cause the factory 30A circuit breaker to trip. By putting in a fuse, they need more of a current over draw to blow, so the defroster will actually work longer, but yes, it could over-heat the circuit/wiring if there is a real problem with the grid.

 

Define "dead".

Works but only for a few seconds?
Works, but only some of the middle "lines" heat?
Doesn't work at all?
Does the button press in? Light up? Stay on for 10 minutes?

 

Well, it was working as far back as 2-3 weeks ago, that I can remember. Last couple of days, when I turn it on, the "ON" light indicator on the switch doesn't come on, and there's no sign of the grid heating up at all. Yeah, it's not even working intermittent at all. Just ceased working.
Thx-Goose

 

Mine would stay on less than 1 minute, then shut off, and it wouldn't even begin clearing the window.

 

With the switch not turning on, I'd start by checking the wired connections to the grid (there's one on each side about 2/3 the way up the sides of the grid. Then I'd check the fuse.

 

now you guys got me thinking. mine turns on for a few minutes then shuts off and i have to wait for 20 or so minutes to get it to work again

 

The defroster system consists of the breaker (fuse) the timer switch and the window grid. Assuming the wires are properly connected begin by replacing the circuit breaker. If that does not help, replace the timer switch. The window grid is just a conductive paint on the glass. Assuming it is not scratched off anywhere major it will work.

If it still doesnt work there has to be a wire somewhere that is compromised. Use a test light to trace the circuit and see where you are losing the +12v.

 

Just wanted to say thanks to all of you who replied.
I did tried the 30A fuse, and it worked. The breaker fuse took me an extra day to track down. Nobody in town seemed to have one in stock.
Anyway, finally got the breaker on Sunday, replaced, and now my defrogger is working fine.

I thought I would be killing two birds with one stone, since the same breaker controls the power seats as well, and my driver side power seat has been dead for a while, no luck. My power seat is still dead. It moves up, and down, but not back and forth.
-Goose