Rear defroster question

[Jean]

Mine doesn't work, and according to the e30 bentley fuse 8 is the one to check. Fuse 8 is OK. I checked voltage at fuse 8 and it's present. I tried 3 rear defroster switches and although they light up, I don't get any voltage at the rear glass.

What is the correct PN for the early E30 rear defroster switch?

Thanks!

[DCColegrove]

How weird...

My ETK here doesn't list the PN.

(Open circuit in the wires going back there?)

[Jean]

I hope not....

[scabzzzz]

Mine does the same thing.

I said fuck it.
:)

[ddavidv]

Did you check for juice at the rear glass? The window grid may be bad/broken.

[Jean]

Did you check for juice at the rear glass? The window grid may be bad/broken.

Yes, I checked for voltage at different places on the rear grid and none is present....

[gearheadE30]

Sounds like a break in the harness somewhere. That really sucks. Does the rear defrost have its own ground? That may be the issue.

[Jean]

I don't know. Does the defroster wiring go towards the front of the car on the drivers or passenger side?

I think it could still be the defroster switch though, there are couple different ones (green/yellow/early/late), and possibly it has to be the right one in order to send the voltage to the grid... just a guess though.

If someone has an early car like an 84 318i or maybe even 325e, I wouldn't mind knowing what Color your rear defroster button is and if possible what the PN is on it...

[Alkasquawlik]

Jean,
If the problem turns out to be the grid on the back window is shot, I have a spare rear window that I'll let go for really cheap. The grid on that should work fine.

[gearheadE30]

^^If he isn't getting any voltage at the glass, that won't help at all.

[Alkasquawlik]

^^If he isn't getting any voltage at the glass, that won't help at all.

Which is why I said "if the problem turns out to be the grid". It most likely isn't, but you never know. I was just trying to help.

[Jean]

Figured it out, the connections (tabs) on the glass were/are bad. Looks like age did it's number and there were no longer attached or soldered (if they are supposed to be) to the grid element on the glass to make good electric contact.

[E30nate]

napa sells a defroster repair kit. maybe that will wok to fix it.

[Jean]

I'll look for it, I was thinking this would be a good reason to get new black oem headliner lol

[dannyg]

Jean, how did you get the connections on the rear glass? On a car I just picked up the two wires are sticking out of the parcel shelf unconnected to the glass. I am guessing it just runs up the side of the pillars? I think the rear window in this car was replaced and the wires were never connected...