Rear defroster switch keeps blowing after installing new hatch shocks??????? - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

rob37nc · 05-14-2009, 06:45 PM

92 camaro , replaced hatch shocks, with new ones that came equiped with the plugs for rear defrost. Problem is when I whent to turn on defrost my radio cut off and the SIR light blinked on the dash and the defrost switch blew out then the radio came back on and light stoped blinking. Thought maybee just a coincidence so I replaced the defroster switch with a used one and well a 28$ switch blown when I tried it and could smell burnung wire or plastic from switch any ideas? I feel like it has to be the new shocks but too late Ive thrown the old ones away. Anybody? Thanks.

jv9999 · 05-14-2009, 11:53 PM

Put an ohmmeter across the shock connectors and see what the resistance is. It should be more than a couple ohms.

BigBadLou · 05-15-2009, 09:38 AM

The shocks should have an insulating sleeve in the holes on the ends. If they don't, they must have some kind of insulation from the metal pivot points. Otherwise you'll be burning up switches and fuses.
The driver side shock provides power for the defogger/defroster and the passenger side shock provides ground.
You can unplug the wires on each shock and measure the resistance from the shock to the ground/chassis. It should be infinite (open).

Lou

84 1LE · 05-16-2009, 11:50 PM

The small end has bushing that snap in place.Sometimes they are not included with replacements.Looks like a trip to the JY is in order.

rob37nc · 08-19-2009, 06:14 PM

I found a used shock it had the small plastic bushing, compared the original with what I had. The other end of the shock where the bolt goes through on the original was a pressed plastic washer where the bolt passed through. The new shock I had looked similar but the pressed washer was made of metal. I had to do some fabricating on the new shock but alls well now. Thanks for the tips fellows, now for some tint.