The HVAC control module monitors the rear window defogger switch signal circuit, when the rear defogger button is pressed, the voltage drops within the signal circuit and the HVAC control module will supply voltage to the relay coil. Battery positive voltage is supplied at all times to the relay switched input and the relay coil is always grounded. This allows battery positive voltage from the relay switched input to flow through the switch contacts and out the relay switched output to the rear window defogger grid

Schematic Reference

Defogger Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Rear Window Defogger Description and Operation

Electrical Information Reference

1. Ignition ON, observe the scan tool Rear Defogger Switch parameter while pressing the rear window defogger switch, the parameter should change from Inactive to Active.

⇒	If the value does not change, refer to Rear Defogger Switch Malfunction.

2. Observe the operation of the rear window defogger indicator while pressing the rear window defogger switch. The indicator should turn ON or OFF each time the rear window defogger switch is pressed.

⇒	If the indicator does not turn ON or OFF with each switch press, replace the A26 HVAC control.

3. Command the Rear Defog ON and OFF with a scan tool, the E18 rear defogger grid should turn ON or OFF when changing between the commanded states.

⇒	If the E18 rear defogger grid is always ON or always OFF, refer to Rear Window Defogger Malfunction.

Rear Window Defogger Switch Malfunction

1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the A26 HVAC control.
2. Ignition ON, verify the scan tool Rear Defogger Switch parameter is Inactive.

⇒	If not the specified value, test the signal circuit terminal 3 for a short to ground, if the circuit tests normal, replace the K33 HVAC control module.

3. Connect a 4A fused jumper wire between the control circuit terminal 3 and ground, verify the scan tool Rear Defogger Switch parameter is Active.

⇒	If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the K33 HVAC control module.

4. If all circuits test normal, replace the A26 HVAC control.

Rear Window Defogger Malfunction

1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the KR5 Rear Window Defogger relay.
2. Test for less than 1 ohm between the ground circuit terminal 85 and ground.

⇒	If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.

3. Ignition ON, verify a test lamp does not illuminate between the control circuit terminal 87 and ground.

⇒	If the test lamp illuminates, test the control circuit for a short to voltage.

4. Verify a test lamp illuminates between the B+ circuit terminal 30 and ground.

⇒	If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance.

5. Ignition OFF, disconnect the X2 harness connector at the E18 rear defogger grid.
6. Test for less than 5 ohms between the ground circuit terminal 1 and ground.

⇒	If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.

7. Connect the X2 harness connector at the E18 rear defogger grid.
8. Ignition ON, connect a 40A fused jumper wire between the B+ circuit terminal 30 and the control circuit terminal 87. Verify the E18 rear defogger grid is activated.

⇒	If the E18 rear defogger grid does not activate, test the control circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the E18 rear defogger grid.

9. Connect a test lamp between the control circuit terminal 86 and the ground circuit terminal 85.
10. Command the Rear Defog ON and OFF with a scan tool, the test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.

⇒	If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the K33 HVAC control module.

⇒	If the test lamp is always OFF, test the control circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the K33 HVAC control module.

11. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the KR5 Rear Window Defogger relay.

Rear Window Defogger Grid Test

1. Ignition ON, turn on the E18 rear window defogger grid.
2. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between each rear window defogger grid line and ground. The test lamp should be off when testing at the ground side of the grid and get brighter as the test lamp moves closer to the voltage supply side of the grid. The test lamp should be dim when testing each grid line in the middle.

⇒	If the test lamp remains bright at the middle of the grid line, test for an open between the test point and the ground side of the grid.

⇒	If the test lamp remains off at the middle of the grid line, test for an open between the test point and the voltage supply side of the grid

Relay Test

1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the KR5 Rear Window Defogger relay.
2. Test for 60-180 ohms between terminals 85 and 86.

⇒	If not within the specified range, replace the KR5 Rear Window Defogger relay.

3. Test for infinite resistance between the following terminals:

•

30 and 86

•

30 and 87

•

30 and 85

•

85 and 87

⇒	If not the specified value, replace the KR5 Rear Window Defogger relay.

4. Install a 30A fused jumper wire between relay terminal 85 and 12 volts. Install a jumper wire between relay terminal 86 and ground. Test for less than 2 ohms of between terminals 30 and 87.

⇒	If greater than the specified range, replace the KR5 Rear Window Defogger relay.

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.