Rear defroster not working
08-28-2015, 06:49 AM
#31
Just an FYI. Some people who have had the rear defrost issue on the older windows have also experienced the windows exploding when the defrost does work. The problem is the whole window which is why Ford will replace the whole thing. Mine is out of warranty so I have decided to just live without it versus popping my window.
. Then shouldn't this be a recall?
08-28-2015, 06:50 AM
#32
OK, here's my story regarding this issue. 2011 F150 FX4.
The defroster began intermittently failing about 6 months ago. I also had another issue with the fan motor not associated with this issue. I looked up this forum and read all of your comments and issues with Ford. I learned a lot from these posts, i.e. the issue is the way the defroster is made in the window as one piece and how often it fails.
I called my local dealer/service department and advised them I have the premium extended warranty (ESP) covering the vehicle bumper to bumper for another 3 years. I told them the issue and they said bring it in for a diagnosis, which I did. They needed to order a part for the other issue, but told me the issue with the defroster was not a covered one. I showed them the contract which specifically covers ALL electrical components of the rear window defroster. The service manager was an *****. he tried to say maybe a rat ate the wiring or I did something. I had to come back another day (today) to fix the other issue, so I went home and called Ford Customer Care. They said yes, the defroster problem for which a TSB has been issued is covered. They gave me a case number and said they would call the dealership and advise them. I called them to schedule the other repair and asked about the window. They tried to say I had installed an "aftermarket" radio in the truck and that made the warranty null. I have not installed anything in the truck. The radio is factory premium Sony system.
I went to this forum page and printed out every post pertaining to this problem, including the one where one of you discussed the Ohm readings. I went to the dealer today with 23 pages of printouts from this forum and another forum from a glass repair page on the same subject. After repairing the other problem they came to me and told me I was correct, the problem is in the glass and it needs to be replaced but is not covered. Once again (the 5th or 6th time) I showed them the contract. I called FCC who again told me it was covered, but when they called the service manager they came back on the line and told me it was not covered according to the service manager! I read the FCC adviser the contract, which, again specifically covers the defroster issue. The service person I was dealing directly with came out and told me he agreed with me. He got on the phone with FCC who transferred him to ESP (extended service protection). During this, the service manager (Dick) called ESP and they gave him the word. FIX IT! He got the required code and agreed to replace the window and contacts for my $100 deductible.
Bottom line. Do your homework. Be persistent. Come armed with knowledge and printouts from forums such as this. be nasty if necessary.
Thanks to this forum my problem
is scheduled to be fixed at their expense!!
The defroster began intermittently failing about 6 months ago. I also had another issue with the fan motor not associated with this issue. I looked up this forum and read all of your comments and issues with Ford. I learned a lot from these posts, i.e. the issue is the way the defroster is made in the window as one piece and how often it fails.
I called my local dealer/service department and advised them I have the premium extended warranty (ESP) covering the vehicle bumper to bumper for another 3 years. I told them the issue and they said bring it in for a diagnosis, which I did. They needed to order a part for the other issue, but told me the issue with the defroster was not a covered one. I showed them the contract which specifically covers ALL electrical components of the rear window defroster. The service manager was an *****. he tried to say maybe a rat ate the wiring or I did something. I had to come back another day (today) to fix the other issue, so I went home and called Ford Customer Care. They said yes, the defroster problem for which a TSB has been issued is covered. They gave me a case number and said they would call the dealership and advise them. I called them to schedule the other repair and asked about the window. They tried to say I had installed an "aftermarket" radio in the truck and that made the warranty null. I have not installed anything in the truck. The radio is factory premium Sony system.
I went to this forum page and printed out every post pertaining to this problem, including the one where one of you discussed the Ohm readings. I went to the dealer today with 23 pages of printouts from this forum and another forum from a glass repair page on the same subject. After repairing the other problem they came to me and told me I was correct, the problem is in the glass and it needs to be replaced but is not covered. Once again (the 5th or 6th time) I showed them the contract. I called FCC who again told me it was covered, but when they called the service manager they came back on the line and told me it was not covered according to the service manager! I read the FCC adviser the contract, which, again specifically covers the defroster issue. The service person I was dealing directly with came out and told me he agreed with me. He got on the phone with FCC who transferred him to ESP (extended service protection). During this, the service manager (Dick) called ESP and they gave him the word. FIX IT! He got the required code and agreed to replace the window and contacts for my $100 deductible.
Bottom line. Do your homework. Be persistent. Come armed with knowledge and printouts from forums such as this. be nasty if necessary.
Thanks to this forum my problem
is scheduled to be fixed at their expense!!Way to go.
08-28-2015, 09:29 AM
#33
Just an FYI. Some people who have had the rear defrost issue on the older windows have also experienced the windows exploding when the defrost does work. The problem is the whole window which is why Ford will replace the whole thing. Mine is out of warranty so I have decided to just live without it versus popping my window.
Just found this on the web regarding exploding rear windows.
Scary, http://www.glassbytes.com/2013/12/se...ites-to-nhtsa/
08-28-2015, 09:46 AM
#34
No one had died yet. Death and or Severe injury is a non-official prerequisite for a recall. And you need at least a dozen or so before the NHTSA even starts an investigation, and a dozen more during the investigation to actually trigger a voluntary recall. To force a recall, an act of congress is required, similar to what is needed to pass a constitutional amendment.
Oh and the NHTSA investigated and cleared itself of any corruption allegations. So we can rest reassured that there is no corruption in that agency.
Oh and the NHTSA investigated and cleared itself of any corruption allegations. So we can rest reassured that there is no corruption in that agency.
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seabeeadp (01-02-2019)
08-28-2015, 09:58 AM
#35
American member
Rear defroster not working
No one had died yet. Death and or Severe injury is a non-official prerequisite for a recall. And you need at least a dozen or so before the NHTSA even starts an investigation, and a dozen more during the investigation to actually trigger a voluntary recall. To force a recall, an act of congress is required, similar to what is needed to pass a constitutional amendment.
Oh and the NHTSA investigated and cleared itself of any corruption allegations. So we can rest reassured that there is no corruption in that agency.
Oh and the NHTSA investigated and cleared itself of any corruption allegations. So we can rest reassured that there is no corruption in that agency.
Whew...I'm so relieved the truth is out now.
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seabeeadp (01-02-2019)
08-28-2015, 04:02 PM
#36
I had the same problem with the dealership. Their part number for the entire back glass would not get accepted into the system for warranty work. I called FCC and they called the dealer with a number that was accepted into the system.A $100 deductible replaced my window,and they left the old window in a box in the bed of my truck. My warranty had 700 miles left until expiration.
08-31-2015, 07:57 AM
#37
I think the issue is that the module is detecting a different resistance value than it is expecting, causing the fault status and the defroster not getting power. Disconnecting the rear defrost will return no resistance value.
It appears that on some trucks no resistance value = no rear defroster installed, and the defroster comes on for the windows only. While on other trucks the Defroster is expected and if no resistance value is returned, it will not operate.
My guess is to try to disconnect it and see what happens. Best case defroster comes on for the mirrors, worst case, you are still in the same situation.
It appears that on some trucks no resistance value = no rear defroster installed, and the defroster comes on for the windows only. While on other trucks the Defroster is expected and if no resistance value is returned, it will not operate.
My guess is to try to disconnect it and see what happens. Best case defroster comes on for the mirrors, worst case, you are still in the same situation.
I did manage to test the mirrors. With the engine running, I pressed the defrost button on the dash to activate the system. The light didn't come on but my laser thermometer showed that the defrost in the mirrors did come on. This morning while driving into work, my mirrors were fogging a bit. I pressed the defrost button and it worked on the mirrors but still no light on the dash button. Just an FYI, I confirmed while testing, that if the engine is not running (even with the key all the way forward) that the system does not come on.
Hopefully I'll have some time this week or this weekend to troubleshoot the rear window but at least now I know that the mirrors are working.
08-31-2015, 07:59 AM
#38
I was hoping the spend some time this weekend to try and fix it but.... my work called.
I did manage to test the mirrors. With the engine running, I pressed the defrost button on the dash to activate the system. The light didn't come on but my laser thermometer showed that the defrost in the mirrors did come on. This morning while driving into work, my mirrors were fogging a bit. I pressed the defrost button and it worked on the mirrors but still no light on the dash button. Just an FYI, I confirmed while testing, that if the engine is not running (even with the key all the way forward) that the system does not come on.
Hopefully I'll have some time this week or this weekend to troubleshoot the rear window but at least now I know that the mirrors are working.
I did manage to test the mirrors. With the engine running, I pressed the defrost button on the dash to activate the system. The light didn't come on but my laser thermometer showed that the defrost in the mirrors did come on. This morning while driving into work, my mirrors were fogging a bit. I pressed the defrost button and it worked on the mirrors but still no light on the dash button. Just an FYI, I confirmed while testing, that if the engine is not running (even with the key all the way forward) that the system does not come on.
Hopefully I'll have some time this week or this weekend to troubleshoot the rear window but at least now I know that the mirrors are working.
09-02-2015, 02:40 PM
#39
Last night I got around to cleaning the slider track and contacts and also reseated the contacts. But no change. I then verified the fuses again and they're fine. Got around to lowering the back part of the rear seat and removing the panel to expose the blue connector for the rear window defroster. The blue connector looks ok. I un-plugged it to see of the light on the dash button would come on since they seem to be installed in trucks that don't have the rear window defroster. And nope, no light on the dash button. Tonight I'll check if there's actual voltage coming out of the blue connector and see. Does anyone know how to verify the ohm? I have the option on my voltmeter but I've never done that.
