I'm hot, and you're not: The rear defroster that couldn't
#1
Contributing Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Lake County, CA/Sacramento
Posts: 4,222
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
I'm hot, and you're not: The rear defroster that couldn't
Actually, it should be maybe you're hot, and I'm not. I'm talking about the rear defroster. I've had the back part of my 4Runner taken apart quite a few times, and I've looked around where the defroster blower thing is, and I couldn't find a heating element, or anything. My question for you all is:
How the heck does the rear defroster work?
Does anyone know, or were the last written records about it burned in the library of Alexandria, so we have to start from scratch.
I push the switch, the light comes on, and I think there is air blowing over the back window, but it's cold, and I'm not even sure if there is air blowing over the window, it could just be a draft or something.
Any help?
How the heck does the rear defroster work?
Does anyone know, or were the last written records about it burned in the library of Alexandria, so we have to start from scratch.
I push the switch, the light comes on, and I think there is air blowing over the back window, but it's cold, and I'm not even sure if there is air blowing over the window, it could just be a draft or something.
Any help?
#3
Contributing Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Lake County, CA/Sacramento
Posts: 4,222
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Mine doesn't have the grid of wires on the rear window, but it does have the defroster button. I've checked out a few other 4Runners, and they don't have a grid on the window either.
Trending Topics
#8
Contributing Member
My 93, and all the 2nd gens, I've seen had the defroster wires. Of course up here in the Great White North things like that aren't optional. Either it was an option on yours or someone's replaced the window. I would think the only way to get rear defrost would be to put another window in, with the wires. Maybe you can find a used one.
#9
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Tucson AZ
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Do you have defroster wires running thu the passenger side cargo area glass? I ask because if this is the case, my guess would be replacement glass from a PO(if there is a PO that is)?
My 94 sr5 has defrosters in both these locations
My 94 sr5 has defrosters in both these locations
#10
Contributing Member
The wires in the side glass aren't a defroster, it's an antenna. Supposed to help with radio reception, especially in the city when buildings block the signal.
#11
Registered User
i dont know if its optional or not but a way it tell if my windows are stock or not is that every window on my rig has the vin engraved in it. It is possible that it is a dealer option but i know that my rear window was a replacement because i war rear ended in the hatch and the window with defrost wires was 300 more it doesnt have the vin etched, i didnt pay for it the other persons insurance did cause he was at fault.
#12
Registered User
The wires in the back glass are the defroster. It does not use air. It's possible the glass has been replaced with one that does not have the wires (heating element). If there are no wires on your glass then there is no defrost.
I just repaired mine, so I'm sure about this. There's a single wire on each side of the gate running up to a tab on the glass itself. 12V+ is applied on one of these wires when you switch on the defrost BUTTON (not defrost lever on the HVAC controls). The other wire is a ground. Both must function in order for the defrost to work.
And to address ERTNL's note, VIN's are etched in at the dealership using 1-time-use papers. If you break a glass, you cannot get that number re-etched. When I was doing etching I would insert the 2 spare papers into the owners manual in case one broke. That way the owner could return and have the glass re-etched. It's the only way.
Last edited by Noltz; 04-11-2008 at 04:50 PM. Reason: Add info...
#13
Registered User
then again mines a 3rd gen...
i wish i had got an owners manual with spare papers.
Last edited by ETRNL; 04-11-2008 at 04:44 PM.
#14
Registered User
#15
Contributing Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: marlbank, canada
Posts: 2,839
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
hey noltz, get ready for some good natured jabs from the other toy techs on here! you might want to take that line and put it in your sig line:
Whoops! I completely missed "SIDE" in that post. Very sorry. Yes, the side glass antenna wires are just that.
nice to see another toy tech join the forum, can never have enough of them.
lee
Whoops! I completely missed "SIDE" in that post. Very sorry. Yes, the side glass antenna wires are just that.
nice to see another toy tech join the forum, can never have enough of them.
lee
#16
Contributing Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Lake County, CA/Sacramento
Posts: 4,222
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
So I've got the wrong window. I don't have the wires, but I have the button, so I figured it was like the 1950's Pontiacs, with a little blower fan in the back window for a defroster. Well, similar anyway.
When I got my 4Runner, it was hit in the back, and the rear bumper/tailgate were replaced. I guess the donor vehicle didn't have that option.
This explains a lot. Thanks.
When I got my 4Runner, it was hit in the back, and the rear bumper/tailgate were replaced. I guess the donor vehicle didn't have that option.
This explains a lot. Thanks.
#17
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Arizona
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
so when i press my rear defroster button the light doesnt always come on. well most of the time the light doesnt come on. then when the light does come on it shuts off. and Im thinking the wires dont heat up when the light shuts off too. I think i have a bad relay or something? if it has a relay. any body else had the button fail before?
#18
Contributing Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Lake County, CA/Sacramento
Posts: 4,222
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
so when i press my rear defroster button the light doesnt always come on. well most of the time the light doesnt come on. then when the light does come on it shuts off. and Im thinking the wires dont heat up when the light shuts off too. I think i have a bad relay or something? if it has a relay. any body else had the button fail before?
I'm probably going to work on wiring mine up early next fall, since I won't really need a defroster going into the summer months. I've got the correct rear window now.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
the1998sr5
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners
15
07-14-2020 08:35 PM
the1998sr5
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners
6
07-16-2015 06:20 AM
icentropy
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
7
07-14-2015 10:23 AM
Poncho0206
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners
3
07-10-2015 06:21 PM