Rear window demister not working

[MrShadow]

G'Day,
Had this problem for about 2 years now (just after we got it). It worked for a while, then stopped. I've never really worried about it, but now I'm thinking of getting window tinting, I need to get this sorted.

I turned it on one day, and it just didn't work. NO light on the dash, nothing, nada. Any suggestions? I don't really want to pull the dash apart just to check a switch, but if i have to then.... :( :(

Thanks
Shads

[Cosmo Dude]

Do you have a multimeter?
Do you know how to use one if you did?

[platypus]

hmm sounds like a central coast problem.....

we;ll have to put our heads together on this one.... mie has the same prob.. but i just don't care ( yeah i know small legality)

[Cosmo Dude]

You can split the cost of a cheap Dick Smith meter (click on pic).

http://www.dse.com.au/isroot/dse/images/products/q1467.jpg (http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/403be6ec00f6eda4273fc0a87f9c0751/Product/View/Q1467)
$22.98
Found a cheaper one but it uses some dodgy 12V battery that would cost the earth to replace.
A multimeter can be invaluable for chasing odd probs.

[Pernod]

snap - it looks like mine!
Its the best toy I've brought in ages, no more guessing which wires go together...

[MrShadow]

Hehe, yes, I DO know how to use one, and I can use the one we have at work. I suppose you're thinking of checking the resistance across the element on the window?

[platypus]

yup thats the check...

yeah i gotta get me a multimeter... i use a test light, which is quite fine for most things....

i'm thinking its a fault in the switch... but that involves pulling the facia off.... way too hard....

but yeah i know i need to check and make sure its not a problem in the window itself

[MrShadow]

Yeah, no point getting tinting, then finding out you have to replace the element (or would it be the whole window??? god, I hope not). Well, I'm meeting you for coffee next weekend, want me to bring the meter? Anybody know of any easy to meter the switch without having to pull the damn dash off? ie do the wires fromt he switch run anywhere accessible?

[Cosmo Dude]

First I'd check the fuse and for the presece of 12v there.
Then I'd check the filament for continuity then I'd check for continuity of the filament to ground, drivers side. Then passengers side I'd check for 12v when switched on.
It would be good to check the switch now.
From there the wires from the filament go down the passengers side to a large oval plug in the front passengers kick pannel, next place to check for 12v then it's into the dash, a big blue and white plug with a red handle.

I can scan and e-mail if req'd.

I started with the fuse as that is the start point, although you've probably already looked there.

[platypus]

i havn't run the test light over that stuff... hmm i'll go get busy!!!

oh wait cars in the rain... meh i'll leave it another 6 months

thanks for the tips cosmo

[MrShadow]

If you could email that stuff, that'd be great.

Thanks
Shads

[Cosmo Dude]

Sent,
Only thing to lookout for is when removing the 'C' pillar inside garnish it is attached to the weather seal for the door, pull back the seat a little and pop out the little black bung with a screwdriver or similar to seperate the two.

[mrpayner]

I've found that my rear dimister has contributed majorly to the crappiness of my tint on that window. Looking in the rear view mirror is pretty sh@thouse and there's a lovely little bubble that has formed from the once and only time that I've used my demister. I've never used it since. I am looking to re-tint the whole car in the near future.

AP

[platypus]

life time tint on windows??

i used my demister all the time, no hassles, but i did go premium product for a reason

[MrShadow]

I like :D the "Licence Mods", a rather, ahhh novel, way of looking at things.

[platypus]

hehe, thanks!! well its your own choice... and its really shows my personality

guess what!!! i fixed my demister last night!!! (wheres the give ya self an upper cut son smiley??)

i was doing some painting of my center dash piece (is now kinda pretty... still working on it....)
any ways the plug had wriggled out of its clip... never un did it my self.... grrrr, oh well saved a few bucks on an auto electrician!!!

[MrShadow]

hope mines that simple. Bet it's not though....