GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Rear Window Defogger System Components

The optional rear window defogger system consists of the following components:

    • An air inlet and rear window defogger switch assembly
    • A rear window defogger relay
    • A rear window that has a number of horizontal ceramic silver compound grid lines
    • Two bus bars that are attached to the inside surface of the rear window

The supply voltage terminal is soldered to the bus bar on the left side and the ground terminal is soldered to the bus bar on the right side.

Rear Window Defogger Operation

When the ignition switch is in the ON position, ignition voltage is applied through the GAUGE fuse to the coil of the defogger relay and to the air inlet and rear defogger switch assembly. Battery voltage is applied to the switch portion of the defogger relay at all times through the defogger fuse.

When the rear defogger switch is depressed, the air inlet and rear defogger switch assembly energizes the rear defogger relay by grounding the control circuit of the rear defogger relay. This allows battery positive voltage to the rear defogger resistive element which heats as soon as voltage is applied.

The air inlet and rear defogger switch assembly incorporates an integral indicator lamp and an integral timing circuit. The indicator illuminates when the rear defogger switch is depressed. The defogger cycle lasts approximately 10-15 minutes and then shuts off automatically. Defogger operation may be cancelled before the cycle ends by depressing the defogger switch, or by turning the ignition switch to the OFF position.

The rear defogger switch may be depressed for additional cycles depending on the following conditions:

    • Vehicle speed
    • Outside window temperature
    • Atmospheric pressure
    • Number of passengers