Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Heat Wire Inspection
When wiping off the stain on glass with cloth, use a dry and soft cloth and move it in the direction of the heat wire extension to avoid damage to the heat wire.
- Prepare the following checking items.
- Liquid crystal thermograph sheet (approximate size: 300 x 300 mm (11.8 x 11.8 in) and thermal temperature: 35 - 40°C (95 - 104°F))
- Aluminum foil
- Turn the ignition switch to ON.
- Turn the defogger switch to ON.
- Push the liquid crystal thermograph sheet from the outside of the glass.NOTE:
Use the liquid crystal thermograph sheet every range it is separated with the separate line.
- Determine the faulty heat wire by checking the color of the liquid crystal thermograph sheet.
Liquid crystal thermograph sheet Criteria Change occurred (red - blue) Normal No change (black) Open NOTE:- Check from the inside of the glass - rear gate if the response of liquid crystal thermograph sheet is not good.
- The time for the color change may differ depends on the surface temperature of the glass.
- Wrap a piece of aluminum foil around the tip of tester probe and press it against the heat wire with your finger.
- To both ends of the section that has been found to include an open in the step 5), apply the tester positive (+) probe and the negative (-) probe.
- Move the tester probe on the negative (-) side slowly along the heat wire. If voltage changes from zero while moving the tester probe, heat wire is open at the voltage change point.
- Repair the heat wire that determines the place of the open circuit. Ref. to GLASS/WINDOW/MIRRORS>REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER SYSTEM>REPAIR .
NO RELATED
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
Pair factory procedures with proven DIY tools so the instructions are easier to execute.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.