2002 rear defroster not working

[yalestreet]

s2000 2002 rear defroster does not work button lits up but defroster does not work , any help?

[repiv]

The button itself controls a relay, so just because it lights up may not mean that there is power going to the heating wires. The first thing to check are all the fuses.
1. Check fuse #19 under the dash. This controls the relay itself. It's the 6th fuse from the bottom on the right row of fuses. Also, you'll have a relay somewhere on the fuse panel. I have a year 2000 car, so I can't tell you which one that is, but it'll likely be similar to the one I had to put in when I added a hardtop. This relay will look like a cube that's plugged into the fuse panel. When you push the defogger switch you should be able to hear or feel the relay click if you have your finger on it.
2. Check the auxiliary fuse box under the hood (near the crusise control box) on the car's left side (driver's). It's fuse #34. It's the further right most square fuse of the triplets at one end of the fuse box.

You could have a break in the heater wires in the window. You'll have to carefully inspect all the little wires, including the connectors at the ends to see if there are any irregularities. If you have a continuity meter with long enough probes, you can simply check by placing the probes at each connector.
Finally, there may be a break or bad connection in the wiring harness between the fuse panel and the switch or between the switch and the heating wires. There are connections at the switch and connections under the center console and behind the vented panel behind the driver's seat. There is also a possibiliy that the switch itself is malfunctioning even thought the light works.

On a side note, I trust you know which button controls the rear window defroster. It is a separate switch, apart from the one on the interior heater control knob. When you put this knob to the window defrost, the air conditioning also turns on. The rear window defogger is NOT this one. On your car, it should be a push button located just to the right of the steering column.

[desmo4]

Also if you have a hardtop there is another interlock sw, that needs to satisfied.

Jonathan

[griffon]

If you have a hardtop, make sure the top is plugged in to the socket on the car, also.:thumbup:

[yalestreet]

there is no fuse for the rear defroster. Fuse #19 under dash 6th fuse on the right from thebottom is the radio fuse???

[yalestreet]

The button itself controls a relay, so just because it lights up may not mean that there is power going to the heating wires. The first thing to check are all the fuses.
1. Check fuse #19 under the dash. This controls the relay itself. It's the 6th fuse from the bottom on the right row of fuses. Also, you'll have a relay somewhere on the fuse panel. I have a year 2000 car, so I can't tell you which one that is, but it'll likely be similar to the one I had to put in when I added a hardtop. This relay will look like a cube that's plugged into the fuse panel. When you push the defogger switch you should be able to hear or feel the relay click if you have your finger on it.
2. Check the auxiliary fuse box under the hood (near the crusise control box) on the car's left side (driver's). It's fuse #34. It's the further right most square fuse of the triplets at one end of the fuse box.

You could have a break in the heater wires in the window. You'll have to carefully inspect all the little wires, including the connectors at the ends to see if there are any irregularities. If you have a continuity meter with long enough probes, you can simply check by placing the probes at each connector.
Finally, there may be a break or bad connection in the wiring harness between the fuse panel and the switch or between the switch and the heating wires. There are connections at the switch and connections under the center console and behind the vented panel behind the driver's seat. There is also a possibiliy that the switch itself is malfunctioning even thought the light works.

On a side note, I trust you know which button controls the rear window defroster. It is a separate switch, apart from the one on the interior heater control knob. When you put this knob to the window defrost, the air conditioning also turns on. The rear window defogger is NOT this one. On your car, it should be a push button located just to the right of the steering column.
There is no fuse for the rear defroster. fuse # 19 is the fuse for the radio 6th from bottom on the right inside the car under dash.

[bimdub]

There is no fuse for the rear defroster. fuse # 19 is the fuse for the radio 6th from bottom on the right inside the car under dash.

right you are, you will have to excuse Repiv as his car is an earlier model and the defroster is only on his hardtop......I am sure that explains the difference...however mine is a 2002.....the fuse you need to check is located in the Auxiliary fuse box which is under the hood in the drivers side near the brake fluid reservoir, it will be fuse location one which should be a 20 amp fuse.

if the fuse is blown.....it could indicate a problem that may need to be diagnosed.

[repiv]

right you are, you will have to excuse Repiv as his car is an earlier model and the defroster is only on his hardtop......I am sure that explains the difference...however mine is a 2002.....the fuse you need to check is located in the Auxiliary fuse box which is under the hood in the drivers side near the brake fluid reservoir, it will be fuse location one which should be a 20 amp fuse.

if the fuse is blown.....it could indicate a problem that may need to be diagnosed.
You're right. On my car, fuse #19 does, in fact, service the rear window defogger relay for the HT.
But like you say, fuse #34 near the brake booster must still be checked.
Something that has this much power draw has to have a fuse or two.

[desmo4]

My books are from MY 2000 so it shows fuse 19 as well

Jonathan

[modifry]

Fuse 19 controls the relay/timer, fuse 34 (under hood) supplies the actual power to the defroster element. The timer is built into the instrument cluster, so the fact that the switch lights up probably means the cluster is OK. The relay is next to the keyless entry module (under dash, above the fuse box area) and has a 5-wire gray connector.

If it were me I'd check the defroster element terminals for voltage. If you have voltage then the element is probably broken, if not then look at fuses and relays.