C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Rear defogger wire came off

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 24, 2014 | 07:18 PM
  #1  
jjaaam's Avatar
jjaaam
Thread Starter
Pro
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 717
Likes: 80
From: Michigan
Default Rear defogger wire came off

Anyone else have an issue with the rear defogger wires breaking off at the tab?

The tab is still soldered well to the window. It looks like over time the wire itself had flexed so much that it broke off where it was crimped onto the window tab.

Soldering this would be a PITA as the window would be a huge heat sink...

Has anyone run into this before? How about the Permatex defogger adhesive? I was thinking that I could glue the wire to the tab then tape the crap out of it (neatly of course)...anyone ever use that stuff?

Looks like the other side might be breaking soon too so I want to get 'em fixed.

Thanks...
Reply
Old Sep 24, 2014 | 09:15 PM
  #2  
martysauto's Avatar
martysauto
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,719
Likes: 4
From: cinnaminson n.j.
St. Jude Donor '14
Default

That stuff is made to repair individual grids, not for strength or handling a lot of current.
Reply
Old Sep 24, 2014 | 09:29 PM
  #3  
Bill Curlee's Avatar
Bill Curlee
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

You can use a razor blade and "carefully" cut/split the tab off.

Repair the tab by soldering a new one on the wire and use the product below to adhear it back on the window:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CRL-Loctite-Rear-Window-Defogger-Tab-Adhesive-Repair-Kit-Electrically-Conductive-/261475794678?_trksid=p2054897.l4275
Thats what the OEM joint is.

That reminds me. The one on my Wrangler broke a few months ago. I will be doing the same repair.


Bill
Reply
Old Sep 24, 2014 | 10:12 PM
  #4  
jjaaam's Avatar
jjaaam
Thread Starter
Pro
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 717
Likes: 80
From: Michigan
Default

Originally Posted by Bill Curlee
You can use a razor blade and "carefully" cut/split the tab off.

Repair the tab by soldering a new one on the wire and use the product below to adhear it back on the window:

CRL Loctite Rear Window Defogger Tab Adhesive Repair Kit Electrically Conductive | eBay

Thats what the OEM joint is.

That reminds me. The one on my Wrangler broke a few months ago. I will be doing the same repair.


Bill
1. The tabs on mine have the wire crimped in it. Do you mean reattach the wire by soldering it to the old tab?

2. Not crazy about the razor blade. Won't I be risking cutting the grid?

3. It looked like it was soldered onto the window. It's not? It's the Loctite?

Last edited by jjaaam; Sep 24, 2014 at 10:19 PM.
Reply
Old Sep 24, 2014 | 10:54 PM
  #5  
Bill Curlee's Avatar
Bill Curlee
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

Originally Posted by jjaaam
1. The tabs on mine have the wire crimped in it. Do you mean reattach the wire by soldering it to the old tab?

2. Not crazy about the razor blade. Won't I be risking cutting the grid?

3. It looked like it was soldered onto the window. It's not? It's the Loctite?
If you can take a picture and host it to a hosting site like PHOTOBUCKET and post it, I can get a better idea on making the best procedure to repair it.

Bill
Reply
Old Sep 29, 2014 | 09:25 AM
  #6  
jjaaam's Avatar
jjaaam
Thread Starter
Pro
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 717
Likes: 80
From: Michigan
Default

Originally Posted by Bill Curlee
If you can take a picture and host it to a hosting site like PHOTOBUCKET and post it, I can get a better idea on making the best procedure to repair it.

Bill
Fixed...for now.

I bought one of the Permatex EC adhesive kits and glued the wire right to the tab. Seems to be holding...and it works.

We'll see how long it lasts...
Reply
Old Sep 29, 2014 | 10:14 AM
  #7  
Sox-Fan's Avatar
Sox-Fan
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,990
Likes: 346
From: Mt. Pleasant S.C.
Default

The wire attachment tab broke off of the square plate on my car while cleaning the window a while back . Took it to a glass company and they were able to carefully lift that square (which is only glued on it seems) and glue a new one in place. Defogger works just fine and you cannot tell from looking at it that it was not original.

Two of the big chain glass companies told me that I need a new window at the cost of $1300 when I called. The smaller local glass company that I called said they keep the copper squares in stock and change them all the time. Sometimes it works, sometimes not, no guarantee, but I wouldn't be in worse shape than I was. I drove on over and took the chance. It worked. cost: $75. time to fix it: 15 minutes. "Your car was a lot easier than most" he said.

By the way, he very! carefully! lifted the tab off the glass with a hard plastic spatula.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Rear defogger wire came off





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:06 PM.

story-0
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-1
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-2
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE