Rear Window Defroster

[Wagnerjp]

I bought a used 2004 Prius, and now that the weather's cold I noticed that the rear window (electric) defroster doesn't work. I checked all of the fuses in the under the hood fuse compartment -- all seem good. Could the defroster itself be open circuit? Only 20K miles.

[IsrAmeriPrius]

At 20,000 miles, the car should still be under the original factory warranty.

It could be any number of things that may be causing it, including a loose connection or damage to one of the painted heating elements on the glass.

[Wagnerjp]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(IsrAmeriPrius @ Dec 4 2006, 07:45 PM) [snapback]357690[/snapback]</div>

At 20,000 miles, the car should still be under the original factory warranty.

It could be any number of things that may be causing it, including a loose connection or damage to one of the painted heating elements on the glass.
[/b]

thanks for your reply to my post. I have access to some electrical measureing equipment. Do you know how I could get info. on where the connections are, and the spec. resistance of the defroster?

[dmckinstry]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(John Wagner @ Dec 4 2006, 04:41 PM) [snapback]357686[/snapback]</div>

I bought a used 2004 Prius, and now that the weather's cold I noticed that the rear window (electric) defroster doesn't work. I checked all of the fuses in the under the hood fuse compartment -- all seem good. Could the defroster itself be open circuit? Only 20K miles.
[/b]

If there's not a crack in your rear window I would doubt it. I don't know about the 2004.

Do the defrosters (defoggers) for your outside review mirrors work?

I would suspect a loose connection before a broken defogger.

Dave M.

[Wagnerjp]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dmckinstry @ Dec 4 2006, 07:54 PM) [snapback]357695[/snapback]</div>

If there's not a crack in your rear window I would doubt it. I don't know about the 2004.

Do the defrosters (defoggers) for your outside review mirrors work?

I would suspect a loose connection before a broken defogger.

Dave M.
[/b]

DO'H. I didn't know I had side mirror defrosters! Are they turned on by pressing the same button on the touch screen as for the rear window defroster? I guess I'll have to start plowing through the oversized owner's manual!

[IsrAmeriPrius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(John Wagner @ Dec 4 2006, 04:50 PM) [snapback]357691[/snapback]</div>

on where the connections are, and the spec. resistance of the defroster?
[/b]

All I know is that there are connectors in the hatch between the two glass panels. You can access them by removing the center inside trim panel.

[dmckinstry]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(John Wagner @ Dec 4 2006, 05:36 PM) [snapback]357709[/snapback]</div>

DO'H. I didn't know I had side mirror defrosters! Are they turned on by pressing the same button on the touch screen as for the rear window defroster? I guess I'll have to start plowing through the oversized owner's manual!
[/b]

I don't know about the 2004, but for the 2005 it's in the section 2-9, Operation of Instruments and Controls.

Good luck on finding the "break".

IsAmeriPrius knew where the connectors are.

I think the defogger itself would be okay as long as it doesn't have infinite resistance.
I have the wiring diagram, but finding anything in it is daunting, and I haven't looked for this particular item yet.

Dave M.

[Wagnerjp]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dmckinstry @ Dec 5 2006, 12:21 PM) [snapback]357995[/snapback]</div>

I don't know about the 2004, but for the 2005 it's in the section 2-9, Operation of Instruments and Controls.

Good luck on finding the "break".

IsAmeriPrius knew where the connectors are.

I think the defogger itself would be okay as long as it doesn't have infinite resistance.
I have the wiring diagram, but finding anything in it is daunting, and I haven't looked for this particular item yet.

Dave M.
[/b]

Thanks everyone for your help. I'll check it out. By the way, I noticed when checking the fuses that some of the labeling is quite cryptic, making it a little difficult to tell what fuse is for what. Is there documentation available to the end user which spells this out a little more clearly?

[dmckinstry]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(John Wagner @ Dec 5 2006, 09:47 AM) [snapback]358008[/snapback]</div>

Thanks everyone for your help. I'll check it out. By the way, I noticed when checking the fuses that some of the labeling is quite cryptic, making it a little difficult to tell what fuse is for what. Is there documentation available to the end user which spells this out a little more clearly?
[/b]

In Specifications within the Owner's Manual, the fuses are described. That's on page 316 of the manual for the '05, but again, I don't know where it would be for the '04.

Dave M.