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 Defroster

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 24, 2020 | 07:24 PM
  #1  
DEFCON5's Avatar
DEFCON5
Thread Starter
Pro
Supporting Lifetime
 
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 594
Likes: 194
From: Back in North Central OH
Default Rear Defroster

I've been planning to get to this sooner or later. The heated back glass lead has no insulation. There is no power to it that I can tell (at least the grid does not appear to carry any current). I know there is supposed to be insulation so I probably need to get some heat shrink tubing and wrap it. Not sure how or why this got stripped. No, I don't drive around with the wire hanging down like in the picture and don't really care whether it works or not but I'm not sure what kind of electrical/fire hazard this might present. I may have to pull the headliner to get this done properly. Has anybody else had this issue?

Reply
Old Apr 24, 2020 | 11:09 PM
  #2  
Stingroo's Avatar
Stingroo
Safety Car
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 4,308
Likes: 3,455
From: Somewhere, Florida
St. Jude Donor '20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Default

I just did, yes. I asked the same question when I first joined the forum and didn't get anywhere with it.

Very easy ot replace. Pull the halo trim off and it's one plug and the one you can see. Mine was brittle and cracked just like that, but most of the insulation was intact. Replaced with a new-to-me used cable and all was well.



I buy all of my used parts from these guys: https://www.facebook.com/vetteVillains/


(570) 447-1469

Brian and Justin are great guys. I've bought stuff as small as this wire to as large as a replacement driver's seat and never been disappointed.

Last edited by Stingroo; Apr 24, 2020 at 11:11 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 24, 2020 | 11:14 PM
  #3  
DEFCON5's Avatar
DEFCON5
Thread Starter
Pro
Supporting Lifetime
 
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 594
Likes: 194
From: Back in North Central OH
Default

Thanks Stingaroo. Sounds like a good plan. I worked in a tempered automotive glass facility for over 30 years and painted and soldered thousands of these backlites so at least I'm familiar with how they work.
Reply
Old Apr 24, 2020 | 11:19 PM
  #4  
Stingroo's Avatar
Stingroo
Safety Car
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 4,308
Likes: 3,455
From: Somewhere, Florida
St. Jude Donor '20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Default

Yeah my lines were all 100% intact under the tint, so I had a feeling something was awry with the connector. It was cheap enough that I went for it and now it works.

Very useful here in Florida... that 2:30 rain storm every day is real.
Reply
Old Apr 24, 2020 | 11:38 PM
  #5  
DEFCON5's Avatar
DEFCON5
Thread Starter
Pro
Supporting Lifetime
 
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 594
Likes: 194
From: Back in North Central OH
Default

You would have to gouge one pretty hard to break a line. The silver ceramic paste is screened on prior to tempering and gets fired into the surface of the glass in the bending process. if you would happen to break a line, you can use heat tape to find the broken or if your brave, run steel wool along the broken line with the current on and the steel wool will spark when it crosses the break. This is how we would find them on the soldering line. Steel wool is highly flammable.
Reply
Old Apr 26, 2020 | 12:27 AM
  #6  
Vetteman Jack's Avatar
Vetteman Jack
Administrator
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Veteran: Reserves
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,541
Likes: 24,830
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Default

Moved to C5 Tech.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Rear Defroster





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:22 AM.

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