Rear Defroster Ripped Off???

[Scotto2323]

I opened my glass on my rear hatch the other day and one of the defroster cables ripped off. Not just the connector but the metal spade connector that attaches to the glass. I never touch the cable with anything, so why would it have a reason to come off?

Anyone have this issue? How do I fix it? Do I have to solder it back on?

 

[k9lovr]

I also had this happen a few weeks ago. If under warranty take it in and they will try to solider it back on or replace the glass all together. I ended up having to have the glass replaced. If not under warranty search around and there is a thread that covers what others have done to fix this issue.

 

[bryanfeelsgood]

Happened to me too, fortunately it was just before warranty ran out.

 

[2 E L O]

Search around the site. I believe there are some DIY repair techniques that people have posted.

 

[1ATony]

That stinks,did it ripp the tab off the glass on yah.

 

[fixxxer88]

I soldered mine back on. Its not a perma-fix, but it'll hold for a while. You use a solder with a low melting point and use plenty of flux. Mine popped off in FEB of last year, I soldered it back on, and it just recently popped back off. To me, I'd rather spend 5 mins just soldering the thing back on for free, then having to deal with getting the window replaced

 

[OklabyGodhoma]

Ah, welcome to the club....sorry it's not a selective membership and the numbers are growing all the time. Yes, this is more of a common problem than it should be. The dealerships have a service bullitin about this and even have a "repair kit" for it as well. I quoted repair kit because thus far it has been used on the tabs of my back glass 3 times (2 on left - 1 on right). After the last time I made them put a note in my service record that the next time they replace the back glass. I have known of folks who have had the stealerships replace the back glass the first time it happened while others hold you hostage until you put them on notice like I have.

Anyway, welcome to the club and as always the new guy buys the beer!!!

 

[Scotto2323]

What are the odds of them fixing it under warranty out of my 3/36 standard warranty? Anyone have luck with that?

 

[juggernaut201]

happened to me too appearantly its a common issue if its under warranty bring it to them they replaced my whple glass

 

[PavementPounder]

I seen a lot of these lately. One guy had his soldered twice and replaced the rear glass. I got a call a week ago it came off again! Idk why the quality on the rear defrost solder is so bad on the nnbs.

 

[travrazz]

Same thing happened to the right side of mine. Luckily under gm certified preowned warr. Just took it in two day's ago. They tried to soldered back on twice and didn't hold at all. Had to order a new glass, but at least should be fixed right for awhile.

 

[fire730]

Just joined the broken defroster club! Barely bumped it while cleaning the back glass. The nerve of me to touch it!

Mines an 07 so no warranty for me either.

 

[mattjones]

Just found this thread because the same exact thing happened to me. I bought my Tahoe at Carmax and got the warranty through them, so I'm having them look at it on Thursday. Will let you guys know how it goes...

 

[KMeloney]

Mine's still dangling back there. Haven't taken it for a fix yet.

 

[GM Customer Service]

KMeloney,

Hello! I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing an issue with your vehicle. I am more than happy to look into this concern for you. Please private message me if I can assist you any further.

Regards,

Jennifer T.
GM Customer Care

 

[Wakinvol]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


the concern is that the wires come loose. Lots of us have experienced it. Make a better connection, that's how you can help.

 

[Ponchonutty]

LOL. Mine was off when I bought it but had the dealer fix it before I took delivery. Nearly 1/3 of these trucks have them broken off. They just replaced the rear glass for the fix.

 

[scottg918514]

Noticed mine dangling today, pass side. Nice, right when I need it after 7 inches of snow and 4 deg temps. Thought about soldering, but read the TSB and they don't recommend soldering cold glass. Mustang in garage and it ain't coming out in the snow, so Yuk is outside.

Permatex makes a epoxy kit just for this repair, apparently they worked with GM to make this kit (Hmmm, common problem). I'm going to pick the epoxy tonight and do the repair.

Also have read to stretch the coiled wire a bit to lessen the tension on the tab. I'll do that for both.

 

[twowheel]

Scott, care to let me know how that permatex fix worked out for you?

Looking to do the same to mine but have to find a new spade connector first. Destroyed mine through some high-heat brilliance. (Don't ask) :/

 

[scottg918514]

Scott, care to let me know how that permatex fix worked out for you?

Looking to do the same to mine but have to find a new spade connector first. Destroyed mine through some high-heat brilliance. (Don't ask) :/

After buying 2 kits and trying to glue it on 3 times I gave up and bought a new piece of back glass from Safelite ($229). Expensive, but I don't like broken things on my truck. The tab just kept popping off with the glue. Even when it was on and I used the kit paint to repaint to get a connection, I was getting off readings with multimeter.

The rear glass is easy to install.