GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Rear Window Defogger System Components

The rear window defogger system consists of the following components:

    • HVAC control module
    • DEFOG relay
    • Rear window defogger grid
    • DEFOG Fuse

Rear Window Defogger Operation

When you depress the rear defogger switch, voltage is supplied to the 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 DEFOG relay switched input and the 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.

When you start the engine and press the rear defogger switch for the first time, the defogger cycle lasts for 10 minutes. Further defogger cycles will last 5 minutes. The rear window defogger will be extended if the vehicle speed is above 60 km per hour (35 mph).