Heated Glass Element: Description and Operation

INTRODUCTION
An electrically heated rear window defogger and electrically heated outside rear view mirrors are available factory-installed options on this model.

NOTE: This information covers both Left-Hand Drive (LHD) and Right-Hand Drive (RHD) versions of this model. Whenever required and feasible, the RHD versions of affected vehicle components have been constructed as mirror-image of the LHD versions. While most of the illustrations represent only the LHD version, the diagnostic and service procedures outlined can generally be applied to either version. Exceptions to this rule have been clearly identified as LHD or RHD, if a special illustration or procedure is required.

Rear Window Defogger System
The rear window defogger system will only operate when the ignition switch is in the ON position. When the defogger switch is in the ON position, an electric heater grid on the rear window glass is energized. Vehicles with the heated mirror options also have heater grids located behind the outside rear view mirror glass. Each of these grids produce heat to help clear the rear window glass and outside rear view mirrors of ice, snow, or fog.

The defogger system is controlled by a switch installed in the instrument panel accessory switch bezel, which is located near the bottom of the instrument panel center bezel area, below the heater and air conditioner controls. An amber indicator lamp in the switch button will light to indicate when the defogger system is turned on. The instrument cluster circuitry, which contains the defogger system timer logic, monitors the state of the defogger switch through a hard-wired input. The instrument cluster circuitry controls the defogger system through a hard-wired control output to the defogger relay.

The defogger system will be automatically turned off after a programmed time interval of about ten minutes. After the initial time interval has expired, if the defogger switch is turned on again during the same ignition cycle, the defogger system will automatically turn off after about five minutes. The timing circuit for the rear window defogger is contained in the Instrument Cluster.

The defogger system will automatically shut off if the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position, or it can be turned off manually by depressing the instrument panel switch. Following are general descriptions of the major components in the defogger system. Refer to the owner's manual in the vehicle glove box for more information on the features, use and operation of the defogger system.

SYSTEM OPERATION
Rear Glass Heating Grid
The heated rear window glass has two electrically conductive vertical bus bars and a series of horizontal grid lines made of a silver-ceramic material, which is baked on and bonded to the inside surface of the glass. The grid lines and bus bars comprise a parallel electrical circuit.

When the rear window defogger switch is placed in the On position, electrical current is directed to the rear window grid lines through the bus bars. The grid lines heat the rear window to clear the surface of fog or snow. Protection for the heated grid circuit is provided by a fuse in the Power Distribution Center (PDC).

The grid lines and bus bars are highly resistant to abrasion. However, it is possible for an open circuit to occur in an individual grid line, resulting in no current flow through the line.

The grid lines can be damaged or scraped off with sharp instruments. Care should be taken when cleaning the glass or removing foreign materials, decals, or stickers from the glass. Normal glass cleaning solvents or hot water used with rags or toweling is recommended.

A repair kit is available to repair the grid lines and bus bars, or to reinstall the heated glass pigtail wires.