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I have a 1999 Plymouth van with a rear defroster. About nine of the lines do not defrost.
Is there a quick and easy (mostly easy!) fix for this problem. Please bear in mind that I am a 66 year old woman and I am on my own! Thank you for your help.
Location: Shoveling snow from my driveway into your driveway.
Posts: 8,285
I do not know of any fix for these little metal lines as once they are kaput, they are kaput. I have 3 lines out in my rear window and I just live with it. Unless you want to spend mega bucks and have the entire window replaced, there is no quick fix, sorry.
Location: Shoveling snow from my driveway into your driveway.
Posts: 8,285
Well, if you already found a kit that supposedly fixes the metal lines, why are you asking for any "quick" fix then? That IS the quick fix. I, for one, don't think the repair kits work, that's why I said there isn't anything that I know of to fix this problem as the lines are embedded into the glass and you need to be very very careful when trying to fix the lines and even then, the repair kits don't work. I really didn't deserve a reddie either as I DID answer your question.
Fixing the lines on a rear defroster grid is easy and inexpensive. Just go to an auto parts store and buy a Permatex Defroster Grid Repair kit ($14). The kit comes with a template and electrically conductive paint. You apply the template to the glass where the grid lines are broken and paint over the broken part. Allow at least 24 hours for the paint to dry before turning on the defroster. Then use a single edged razor blade to trim up your paint job.
The main reason I said get the entire rear window replaced is because you have 9 lines that are not working. That is a lot of nonworking lines versus one or two lines not working. Repairs to all nine lines may or may not work. It might not be the lines at all that are the problem but something else entirely.
Be sure to get a test light to properly diagnose your problem. Also I hope you have a heated garage in which to do the work and let the van sit in the warm while the paint properly cures.
The 9 lines you have sounds like you are going to be repairing the rear window for sometime in vain hopes that you will successfully find ALL the breaks in the lines. Have fun, knock yourself out!!!
Reading from the page you referenced, Twinkiedooter, I conclude the opposite that you do. It appears to be a simple and straightforward process. Even with multiple breaks across multiple lines, the entire process seems to NOT be time intensive, too.
So, Sacramento, be encouraged, not discouraged. You can do this, I am quite confident. It has been a couple of weeks, so perhaps you already have!?
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