well i was cleaning my rear window and somehow managed to fubar the defrosting wires that goes across the glass. now only 2 of them works

are they replaceable or do i have to get a whole new rear windshield(was considering it since it has a crack near the bottom). any writeups on how to change them if they are DIY? Thanks in advance

 

The defrost strips are repairable. The way they work is a very small current is sent though them, warming the glass around it. If its not working, the connection is broken. If you look closely, you can see the gap. You can pick up some stuff (in a liquid form I believe) at an autoparts store. Replacing the rear glass is a very tricky process best left to professionals, though I believe awsm66 has done it successfully.

 

yea i see the little gaps. didn't know they make repair kits for them.

 

Yeah I cut mine out...I had to take it out to do the quarter panel. The SE is worse than the GXE because of the way the weather stripping around it is made. I took my time and cut a little at a time until I finally got it out...I went through a lot of razor blades because that stuff dulls them pretty fast. You have to be careful though since you can cut the stripping if you go too far with the razor blade. I had someone install it for me though since I didnt have the goop they use to seal it.


Personally I wouldnt replace the window just because of the defrosting wires...those things (windows) are expensive. Try the kit Tim is talking about and see what that does.