What should I do if the heated rear window does not work?
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Car manufacturers have made winter less burdensome for many drivers. Heated car rear window means you don't have to start the car early and wait for everything in the vehicle to completely thaw. However, sometimes there are failures. Like any element, this one can simply break.
Luckily, rear window heating repair is possible at home, although if you're unfamiliar with it, it's best to seek professional help. How can you deal with this problem? Which icon will tell you that something is not working? We answer these questions in the article and advise what to do when there is a problem with the rear window heating. Read and find out more!
The fogged rear window is not only inconvenient, but also dangerous, as it sharply limits our field of vision. Worse when it breaks. How can we fix them?
Heated rear window - Badge. How to find it?
Not sure if your vehicle has the described heating function? The rear defroster icon shows a rectangle with steam coming out from the bottom.. If you notice it, after pressing the button on which it is located, after a while you should feel the consequences of its work. You can usually find it in the cockpit, next to the air conditioner or ventilation. Device won't start working? The windshield heater may have failed.
Heated rear window - common faults
Does the rear window get hot? There can be many reasons, but the most common are:
- relay failure;
- blown fuses;
- damage to heat transfer paths.
When the whole car is running, there may be a problem with the fuses, because the device that provides the heated rear window draws quite a lot of current. It is also worth checking if the relay is working. Sometimes they burn out and stop working. Fortunately, they are cheap and easy to replace. It also happens that the heat exchange paths are interrupted or damaged. Therefore, if you see that, for example, glass evaporates only in some places, the problem may lie in the last of the elements mentioned.
How to check rear window heating at home?
To test your rear window heating system yourself, you'll need a multimeter, commonly referred to as a multimeter.. With it, you will measure the voltage. You will need to bring the probes of the device to the connector on both sides of it. Then you should start the car and turn on the glass. You will know everything is working when it measures around 12 watts.
Heated rear window - repair at home
If the rear window isn't heating up due to a problem with the relay, you can probably easily replace the failed part. This is a cheap device that you will find in your fuse box. They are easy to find and replace yourself at home. However, first make sure you buy the same type of relay as the broken one. An inappropriate element may not work correctly. Remember that more complex breakdowns may require the help of a mechanic and you will not be able to fix them yourself.
Recovery of broken threads
The heated rear window may not work, among other things, due to a break in the threads that allow warm air to pass to its destination. In this situation, you will need to use an ohmmeter to find out which parts are not working properly. You can probably see where the thread breaks with the naked eye, although you may also need a magnifying glass. To repair the heated windshield, use a marker and mark the areas that need repair.
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After you mark the threads, you will need glue to repair the heated rear window.. This is an electrically conductive substance that should be sprayed on the place where the failure occurred. It contains silver, which copes with such problems perfectly. Do not forget to pre-clean this place, for example, with acetone. Glue can be bought for about 20-3 euros, so there will be no big costs, and the rear window heating will work noticeably again.
Heated windshield and broken connector
Why isn't the rear window heating yet? Another type of failure can be a problem with the connector. To return the component to its place, it will definitely need to be soldered. Do not use glue for this! If you don't have the right device, you can always go to a mechanic. However, if you try a little, you can manage this repair as well, but remember to be careful. This procedure will likely require some parts of the vehicle to be disassembled. You also need to be careful not to overheat.
Heated rear window - repair cost at the mechanic
Sometimes a malfunction associated with the heating system may require replacement of the entire glass. Then the cost of a visit to a mechanic is even about 100 euros. In case of minor breakdowns (for example, repair of the thread itself), you will pay much less. Please note, however, that prices can fluctuate considerably depending on where you live, the price of the model, and the reputation of the workshop itself. Try to choose places that offer the best quality of service.
What will we pay for when we decide to have this heating system repaired by a mechanic? This service usually includes:
- checking the fuse protecting the heat supply circuit;
- checking with a multimeter whether electricity comes to the window;
- checking that the conductive paths remain continuous;
- applying conductive varnish to the damaged track.
Inefficient window heating can be annoying as temperatures drop lower and lower. Therefore, in case of problems with this element, try to determine their source. If you cannot repair the heating system yourself, get the help of a mechanic. In winter, you will feel the absence of this feature, so do not underestimate the problem.
