GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Relay Switch B+ Circuit

2

2

--

--

Rear Defogger Relay Control

B0283 06

B0283 06

2

--

Rear Defogger Control Circuit

2

2

1

--

Relay Coil Ground

--

2

2

--

Rear Window Defogger Grid Ground

--

2

2

--

1. Rear Defogger Always ON

2. Rear defogger Inoperative

Circuit/System Description

When you depress the rear defogger button, voltage is supplied to the RR DEFOG relay coil and the HVAC control module also illuminates the rear window defogger indicator. Battery positive voltage is supplied at all times to the RR DEFOG relay switched input and the RR DEFOG relay coil is always grounded. This allows battery positive voltage from the relay switched input through the switch contacts and out the relay switched output to the rear window defogger. Ground for the rear defogger grid is provided by G401. When you start the engine and press the rear defogger switch for the first time, the defogger cycle lasts for 15 minutes. Further operation results in 7.5-minute defogger cycles. The defogger cycle resets to 15 minutes when you cycle the ignition to the OFF position and then to the ON position.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Defogger Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Window Systems Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Rear Window Defogger Description and Operation

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

Scan Tool Reference

    •  Scan Tool Data List
    •  Scan Tool Data Definitions
    •  Scan Tool Output Controls

Circuit/System Verification

  1. Ignition ON, observe the operation of the rear window defogger grid while pressing the rear defogger switch. The rear defogger grid should ACTIVATE and DEACTIVATE when changing between commanded states.
  2. Command the rear window defogger ON and OFF with the scan tool. The rear window defogger indicator should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
  3. If the defogger indicator does not illuminate or continuously, replace the HVAC control module.

Circuit/System Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the RR DEFOG relay.
  2. Ignition OFF, test for less than 1.0 ohm of resistance between the ground circuit terminal 85 and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified range, test for an open/high resistance.
  4. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp does not illuminate between the output terminal 30 and ground.
  5. If the test lamp illuminates, test the control circuit for a short to voltage
  6. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the the B+ circuit terminal 87 and ground.
  7. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal and the RR DEFOG circuit fuse is open, test the output circuit terminal 30 for a short to ground.
  8. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector X2 at the rear window defogger grid.
  9. Ignition OFF, test for less than 1.0 ohm of resistance between the rear window defogger grid ground circuit terminal A and ground.
  10. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  11. Connect the harness connector X2 at the rear window defogger grid.
  12. Ignition ON, connect a 40-A fused jumper wire between the B+ circuit terminal 87 and the the output circuit terminal 30. Verify the rear window defogger grid is activated.
  13. If the rear window defogger grid does not activate, test the control circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the rear window defogger grid.
  14. Connect a test lamp between the control circuit terminal 86 and the ground circuit terminal 85.
  15. Command the rear defogger grid ON and OFF with a scan tool. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states
  16. If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the 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 HVAC control module.
  17. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the RR DEFOG relay

Component Testing

Relay Test

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the RR DEFOG relay.
  2. Test for 60-180 ohms of resistance between terminals 85 and 86.
  3. If the resistance is not within the specified range, replace the relay.
  4. Test for infinite resistance between the following terminals:
  5. • 30 and 86
    • 30 and 87
    • 30 and 85
    • 85 and 87
    If not the specified value, replace the relay.
  6. Install a 25-amp 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 resistance between terminals 30 and 87.
  7. If greater than the specified range, replace the relay.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  HVAC Control Module Replacement for HVAC control module replacement
    •  Liftgate Window Replacement
    •  Relay Replacement