Heated Glass Element: Description and Operation

How The Circuit Works
Voltage is applied at all times through fuse 53 to the rear window defogger relay contacts. With the ignition switch ON (II), voltage is applied through fuse 3 to the heater control panel (LX) or the climate control panel (EX, EX-L) and the rear window defogger relay coil.

When you push the defogger switch once, a path to ground is provided for the rear window defogger relay through the heater control panel (LX) or the climate control unit (EX, EX-L). The defogger ON indicator light (built-into the heater control panel or climate control unit) comes on, and the rear window defogger relay contacts close. Voltage is applied to the defogger grid on the inside surface of the rear window, and the grid heats the rear window to remove any fog from the glass.

You can turn the defogger off by pushing the defogger switch a second time or by turning the ignition switch to LOCK (0). A timer in the heater control panel (LX) or the climate control panel (EX, EX-L) will automatically turn the defogger off after it has been on continuously for about 15 minutes.