Defogger Grid Lines Diagnosis
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 6 other vehicles, including the 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2004 GMC Envoy XUV, 2004 GMC Envoy XL, 2004 GMC Envoy, and 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
This test is for reference only. A grid line fault requires the liftgate/endgate window replacement. Refer to Window Replacement - Liftgate or Window Replacement - Endgate in Body Rear End.
- Start the engine.
- Activate the rear window defogger system.
- Connect a test lamp to a good ground.
- Move the test lamp probe from zone 5 to zone 1 along each grid line.
- If the test lamp shows full brilliance at both ends of the grid lines. Inspect for an open or poor connection in the ground circuit of the rear window defogger grid. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.
- If the test lamp goes out, test the grid line in at least 2 places (1,3) to eliminate the possibility of bridging the open (2) in the grid line.
IMPORTANT:
The test lamp brilliance will decrease proportionately to the increased resistance in the grid line as the probe is moved from the battery positive bus wire to the ground bus wire. The test lamp brilliance may vary from one window to another.