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Parts Needed for Installing a Rear Defroster?

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Old 07-25-2016, 01:12 PM
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Parts Needed for Installing a Rear Defroster?

I've been looking into installing the rear defroster into my GTA as it already has the glass with the defroster grid and pistons with the connectors for the wiring however It's not wired up nor do I have the defroster switch up front (probably due to the hatch being replaced at some point). So aside from the wiring and switch is there anything else I need and where would I wire this into?
Old 07-28-2016, 01:16 AM
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Re: Parts Needed for Installing a Rear Defroster?

If someone installed tint to the rear hatch you might want to test the grid for continuity to make sure they did not cut through any of the grid wires when they did it. If they did you can by kits to fix the wires.

Also they do sell kits for adding a defroster/grid on line.
Hawks or Ricks Camaro would be worth a try for the stock style parts.

Any Chilton's or even better yet a GM Manual for your car will show you how its wired in .
Old 07-28-2016, 02:36 PM
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Re: Parts Needed for Installing a Rear Defroster?

I would think there's a relay and some kind of timer circuit that will need to sourced from another wrecked f-body if you want it to look factory.
Old 07-29-2016, 03:39 PM
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Re: Parts Needed for Installing a Rear Defroster?

So I've done a little research and stumbled upon this thread: https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...defroster.html

I do have the large gauge purple wire with the gray connector as well as the three switch harness and there was a relay near the same spot the passenger side however I'm not sure if it's the defrost relay and am having trouble identifying it.
Old 07-29-2016, 03:57 PM
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Re: Parts Needed for Installing a Rear Defroster?

The relay in question. 6322 and either I0028531 or 10028531 (I Can't make out the first number / letter) is marked on the shell.


Attached Thumbnails Parts Needed for Installing a Rear Defroster?-20160729_164159.jpg   Parts Needed for Installing a Rear Defroster?-20160729_164214.jpg  
Old 07-29-2016, 04:08 PM
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Re: Parts Needed for Installing a Rear Defroster?

That is a power antenna relay,.....


the rear defroster relay is clearly shown in the thread you included in your post above.




Old 07-29-2016, 11:07 PM
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Re: Parts Needed for Installing a Rear Defroster?

Originally Posted by John in RI
That is a power antenna relay,.....
the rear defroster relay is clearly shown in the thread you included in your post above.
Yeah I just realized that, my bad. I did some looking around under the passenger side kick panel and it turns out I do not have the connector for the relay however I read that the relay harness plugs into a junction somewhere on that side. Not sure if that's true or not but I will be looking into it tomorrow.
Old 07-29-2016, 11:17 PM
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Re: Parts Needed for Installing a Rear Defroster?

You still seem to be confused as to how this system is set-up. Read thru this thread again so you look for things in the right place.


https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...defroster.html


Old 07-30-2016, 06:15 PM
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Re: Parts Needed for Installing a Rear Defroster?

First off I'd like to apologize for my inexperience with these vehicles, this is my first 3rd gen.

Anyways I found the plug for the relay, it was tucked up behind the passenger side of the dash. It's easy to find if you follow the wiring for the kick panel light as it's bundled together with it. I then pulled the relay, switch, ground wire and the large purple wire from a car in a local part yard. The installation was fairly simple and from what I can tell it's working. The relay clicks on and off when the buttons are pressed and the interior lights dim when it's turned on, though there's probably no real way to tell if it's working until I actually need to defog / defrost my rear glass
Old 07-30-2016, 06:45 PM
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Re: Parts Needed for Installing a Rear Defroster?

Originally Posted by Ryan-87GTA
First off I'd like to apologize for my inexperience with these vehicles, this is my first 3rd gen.

Anyways I found the plug for the relay, it was tucked up behind the passenger side of the dash. It's easy to find if you follow the wiring for the kick panel light as it's bundled together with it. I then pulled the relay, switch, ground wire and the large purple wire from a car in a local part yard. The installation was fairly simple and from what I can tell it's working. The relay clicks on and off when the buttons are pressed and the interior lights dim when it's turned on, though there's probably no real way to tell if it's working until I actually need to defog / defrost my rear glass
You can test it by using a test light.

Connect the test light lead to ground and run the tester probe along each grid line fome one side to the other (carefully so you don't damage the grid).

The test light should vary in intensity as it travels from the passenger side to the driver side.

No light, no change in intensity or light suddenly on indicates a problem.
Old 07-31-2016, 07:30 AM
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Re: Parts Needed for Installing a Rear Defroster?

there's probably no real way to tell if it's working until I actually need to defog / defrost my rear glass


HEY !!!! Don't be wishing that on us in the beginning of August !!!


Good to hear that you got everything together ! A working rear defroster is one of those things you don't miss - till you need it. Keep up the good work !

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