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Heated Glass Element: Testing and Inspection




Rear Window Defogger Malfunction

Diagnostic Instructions

* Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle (Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle) prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
* Review Strategy Based Diagnosis (Strategy Based Diagnosis) for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
* Diagnostic Procedure Instructions (Diagnostic Procedure Instructions) provide an overview of each diagnostic category.

Diagnostic Fault Information





Circuit/System Description

Battery positive voltage is supplied through the REAR DEFOG fuse located in the right rear fuse block to the REAR DEFOG relay switch input. When the rear window defogger switch is depressed, the HVAC control module sends a message via serial data message to the rear integration module (RIM) to enable the rear window defogger. The RIM energizes the REAR DEFOG relay by grounding the rear defog relay control circuit. This allows battery voltage from the relay switch input through the switch contacts and out the relay switch output to the rear window defogger. The RIM then sends a message via serial data message to the HVAC control module requesting the illumination of the rear window defogger indicator.

Reference Information
Schematic Reference

Defogger Schematics (Electrical Diagrams)
Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views (Connector Views)
Description and Operation

Rear Window Defogger Description and Operation (Rear Window Defogger)
Electrical Information Reference

* Circuit Testing (Circuit Testing)
* Connector Repairs (Connector Repairs)
* Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections (Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections)
* Wiring Repairs (Wiring Repairs)

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References (Programming and Relearning) for scan tool information

Circuit/System Verification

1. Ignition ON, observe the scan tool Rear Defog Switch parameter while pressing the rear window defogger switch. The parameter should change between Inactive and Active.

• If the value does not change between the commanded states, replace the HVAC control module.

2. Observe the operation of the rear window defogger indicator while pressing the rear window defogger switch. The indicator should turn ON or OFF each time the rear window defogger switch is pressed.

• If the indicator does not turn ON or OFF with each switch press, replace the HVAC control module.

3. Command the Rear Defog Relay ON and OFF with a scan tool. The rear window defogger should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.

Circuit/System Testing

1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the REAR DEFOG relay.
2. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp does not illuminate between the control circuit terminal R8 and ground.

• If the test lamp illuminates, test the control circuit for a short to voltage.

3. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the B+ circuit terminal R7 and ground.

• If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the relay switch B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal and the B+ circuit fuse is open, test the control circuit terminal R8 for a short to ground.

4. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the ignition circuit terminal R6 and ground.

• If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the ignition circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance.

5. Ignition OFF, disconnect the X1 harness connector at the rear window defogger grid.
6. Test for less than 5 ohms between the ground circuit terminal B and ground.

• If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.

7. Connect the X1 harness connector at the rear window defogger grid.
8. Disconnect the X2 harness connector at the rear window defogger grid.
9. Test for less than 5 ohms between the ground circuit terminal A and ground.

• If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.

10. Connect the X2 harness connector at the rear window defogger grid.
11. Ignition ON, connect a 40 A fused jumper wire between the B+ circuit terminal R7 and the control circuit terminal R8. Verify the rear window defogger grid is activated.

• If the rear window defogger grid does not activate, test the control circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the rear window defogger grid.

12. Connect a test lamp between the ignition circuit terminal R7 and the control circuit terminal R10.
13. Command the Rear Defog Relay ON and OFF with a scan tool. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.

• If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the RIM.

• If the test lamp is always OFF, test the control circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the RIM.

14. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the REAR DEFOG relay.

Component Testing

Rear Window Defogger Grid Test
1. Ignition ON, turn on the rear defogger.
2. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between each rear defogger grid line and ground. The test lamp should be off when testing at the ground side of the grid and get brighter as the test lamp moves closer to the voltage supply side of the grid. The test lamp should be dim when testing each grid line in the middle.

• If the test lamp remains bright at the middle of a grid line, test for an open between the test point and the ground circuit.

• If the test lamp remains off at the middle of a grid line, test for an open between the test point and the voltage supply side of the grid.

Relay Test
1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the REAR DEFOG relay.
2. Test for 60-180 ohms between terminals 85 and 86.

• If not within the specified range, replace the relay.

3. Test for infinite resistance between the following terminals:

* 30 and 86
* 30 and 87
* 30 and 85
* 85 and 87

• If not the specified value, replace the relay.

4. Install a 25-amp fused jumper wire between relay terminal 85 and 12 volts. Install a jumper wire between relay terminal 86 and ground. Test for less than 2 ohms between terminals 30 and 87.

• If greater than the specified range, replace the relay.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification (Verification Tests) after completing the diagnostic procedure.

* Rear Window Replacement (Rear Window Replacement)
* Relay Replacement (Attached to Wire Harness) (Relay Replacement (Attached to Wire Harness))Relay Replacement (Within an Electrical Center) (Relay Replacement (Within an Electrical Center))
* Control Module References (Programming and Relearning) for HVAC control module or RIM replacement, setup, and programming

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