Rear defrost wire came off window
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 119
Rear defrost wire came off window
One of the wires that goes from the hatch strut to the defrost grid has detached on the window end. It looks like wire is made to crimp into metal bit on the window, but I can't get that part uncrimped to get the wire back into it. I tried, but the force started feeling excessive, and I was worried I'd just further damage it.
It's all metal, so I tried to just solder it on there, but either the operator (most likely) or equipment wasn't up to the task. Any suggestions?
It's all metal, so I tried to just solder it on there, but either the operator (most likely) or equipment wasn't up to the task. Any suggestions?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,017
Likes: 508
From: Hilton NY
Silver epoxy can bond the wire back to the metal on the window and provide good electrical contact. The surface oxide should carefully be removed first with some fine sandpaper. I would cut back some of the wire and add a splice to make the wire longer so it won't break there again since the frayed end should be trimmed and would be shorter. A splice can be made using just the shielding braid from some coax cable because that will bend a lot without breaking. Or clean the oxide off the frayed end and reattach with the silver epoxy. Applying a little Goop adhesive between the wire and glass as the last step will provide some strain relief so any bending won't all be focused at that connection.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 898
Likes: 48
From: Olympia WA
Silver epoxy can bond the wire back to the metal on the window and provide good electrical contact. The surface oxide should carefully be removed first with some fine sandpaper. I would cut back some of the wire and add a splice to make the wire longer so it won't break there again since the frayed end should be trimmed and would be shorter. A splice can be made using just the shielding braid from some coax cable because that will bend a lot without breaking. Or clean the oxide off the frayed end and reattach with the silver epoxy. Applying a little Goop adhesive between the wire and glass as the last step will provide some strain relief so any bending won't all be focused at that connection.
https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&ke...l_8eoqgeex23_e
https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&ke...l_8eoqgeex23_e
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 119
I drove it all winter like this when there wasn't snow on the ground. There were a few morning I could have used a rear defroster. Wish I had just done it since it's pretty cheap and simple looking. haha
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 157
Likes: 48
From: Charlevoix, Mi
After you epoxy it back together make sure you are getting a good connection. Turn on the defogger for a couple of minutes then check the connection for excess heat which would mean a poor connection. If it overheats at the connection it could cause the window to shatter. Had this happen to me on an Impala that did not have this type of repair but has a fair amount of corrosion at the joint.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 157
Likes: 48
From: Charlevoix, Mi
After you epoxy it back together make sure you are getting a good connection. Turn on the defogger for a couple of minutes then check the connection for excess heat which would mean a poor connection. If it overheats at the connection it could cause the window to shatter. Had this happen to me on an Impala that did not have this type of repair but has a fair amount of corrosion at the joint.
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