Volvo RWD 200 Forum

INDEX FOR 10/2025(CURRENT) INDEX FOR 12/2003 200 INDEX

[<<]  [>>]


THREADED THREADED EXPANDED FLAT PRINT ALL
MESSAGES IN THIS THREAD




  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

How can I check the rear window defroster for faults? 200 1980

uid 15053's pic
posted by  Dylan Berichon on  Thu Dec 11 08:43 CST 2003
Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
last visit: Thu Oct 23 17:22 CST 2014
[RELATED]

Just replaced the wiring in both hinges on my '80 245 DL, and nothing except the license plate lights work.

Do you think the rear defrost might just be dead having sat for 14 years unused? If so, how do I fix this?

Thanks, as always.








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

    How can I check the rear window defroster for faults? 200 1980

    posted by  Mac_Muz on  Thu Dec 11 13:43 CST 2003
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Mon May 30 19:26 CST 2011
    [RELATED]

    You might locate the relay in the dash and check that for 12 volts in and the ground to run the relay as well.... IF my 85 has the same set up the dash lights a light when the switch is turned on, and the system is on a timer.

    The system is a dismall afair if you ask me, as it does nothing for the side windows.

    Today in the heavy rain and fog it came to me to fit a sump pump tubing (black 1 1/4" hose to the rear feet vents, and fit this under the drivers seats to the sides, up and under the rear seat to the side windows and end on a angle so I can drill a few holes in the tubing at the side windows, and have warm air defrost the rear quarter areas better..

    I will take pics when this happens.. It will be soon, but I have very serious tranny problems in my plow truck just now.

    I chose black tubing as it will show, but so what so long as it appears well done.

    You can still repair the wiring problem, as I must also do... that is broken since the restoire I have done, and was found only on my Thanks Giving trip.... Mac








    •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

      How can I check the rear window defroster for faults? 200 1980

      uid 15053's pic
      posted by  Dylan Berichon on  Thu Dec 11 18:05 CST 2003
      Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
      last visit: Thu Oct 23 17:22 CST 2014
      [RELATED]

      The earlier 240s, before they changed the dash I believe, did not have a timer relay for the rear window defrost. My mom's 89 had that switch that came back up after you hit it, but my '80 does not. It's just a regular switch, just like the Hazard switch. You have to turn it off once the window is clear.

      You had a good idea though, one that I probably would have overlooked if I did have the timer switch...








      •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

        How can I check the rear window defroster for faults? 200 1980

        posted by  Mac_Muz on  Fri Dec 12 01:11 CST 2003
        Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
        last visit: Mon May 30 19:26 CST 2011
        [RELATED]

        1 get power to the switch, see the power with a ice pick test light.
        2 get power to the relay (there must be a relay) Then get power to the ground side of the relay for the switch.

        3 there will likely be a hot wire at the relay which is hot and waiting for the switch power to come on, so do not confuse that power with the power from the switch. This hot wire waiting for the switch has a mate which feeds current to the rear window.

        4 Once you have that test according to Don's info...

        So at the relay you have 4 wires...

        Switched + and a ground for that to turn the relay on.
        a hot wire with the key, and the mate which runs to the rear window. If I knew what side of the rear window was the hot side I would tell you, but I don't.

        The finding should not be hard. I can't tell you what colors the wires are either as in my car they were replaced with all blacks... I have not had time to go see why my defrost grid is not working yet.. Probably by the time I do get that time you will be able to tell me what to do... LOL Mac








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

    How can I check the rear window defroster for faults? 200 1980

    posted by  Don Foster on  Thu Dec 11 11:28 CST 2003
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Sun Oct 5 11:53 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    The defroster grid usually fails when something slides across the elements and cuts them. I've heard it rumored that there's a conductive epoxy that can bridge a small cut and re-establish conductivity of the element. Obviously, you'd need to do this for each dead grid element.

    It's unlikely that ALL the elements failed at the same time, however.

    With a voltmeter, check the voltage at eack end to the grid where the wires attach. One wire is ground, the other should have 12 volts at it whwn the defroster is on.

    If you don't find 12 volts, then you can start your troubleshooting back through the circuit.

    If you *do* find 12 volts, then examine the elements carefully (use a magnifying glass) to find the breaks. You should be able to measure 12 volts across the break (gotta scrap the green paint off the copper conductor, carefully, carefully).

    An easy way to identify a few bad elements while the others work is to watch the mist disappear from the rear window. It will evaporate along working elements but remain foggy along bad elements.
    --
    Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)







<< < > >>



©Jarrod Stenberg 1997-2022. All material except where indicated.


All participants agree to these terms.

Brickboard.com is not affiliated with nor sponsored by AB Volvo, Volvo Car Corporation, Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. or Ford Motor Company. Brickboard.com is a Volvo owner/enthusiast site, similar to a club, and does not intend to pose as an official Volvo site. The official Volvo site can be found here.