Rear window defroster unsoldered?

[JeepinJason]

First time leaving the Jeep outside this the garage this winter and I noticed the rear defrost wasn't working. I checked the window and one of the wires came off the window as well. Taking it in on Friday. Sucks if they do replace the window as I have some stickers on the back window.

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[TimmH]

Just noticed mine today, it's broken.

 

[CashMonkey]

Lol so heres my adventure with that:

September we get our first snowfall, cause you know Canada. Anyways after the first week of September, was when I noticed my rear defroster on the passenger side disconnected. I take it in for warranty, the lady says she put the order in. 3 weeks later I call for status update, and found out not only did she fail to put the parts order in, but she had also quit her job the day after my initial appointment. So I had to go back take pictures again and this time have them order the part for real. I had to call FCA Canada to expedite the order, as it was getting colder now. My window and defogger parts finally come in at the end of November, only to be told it can't be installed until the first week of December; because the glass tech wasnt in. SOOOOO last Wednesday I got my new parts installed. Glass and rear defogger components work as advertised. Then fast forward to this past Monday. And it disconnects again, I call my dealership and they went across the street to an auto parts store, bought conductive epoxy, sanded down the contact points and reinstalled the defogger to the window. They also ordered me new defogger components and a new rear window in case the epoxy doesn't work. Also I can't use my remote start for 24 hours because the rear defogger turns on automatically when the temperature reaches -10c or lower. Hopefully I won't need that new window and defogger, and hopefully this will be the last time I have issues with that defogger.

 

[merciles]

My original defroster cable lasted about 2 months. And that was without ever using it unless it fires up automatically when the temp is below the FCA threshold...

Dealer ordered a new rear glass assembly and installed it in Aug or Sept. That cable lasted 3 weeks and came off, again never turned on by me.

New rear glass has just arrived so I'll head in soon to have it installed.

 

[JeepCares]

First time leaving the Jeep outside this the garage this winter and I noticed the rear defrost wasn't working. I checked the window and one of the wires came off the window as well. Taking it in on Friday. Sucks if they do replace the window as I have some stickers on the back window.

Just noticed mine today, it's broken.

My original defroster cable lasted about 2 months. And that was without ever using it unless it fires up automatically when the temp is below the FCA threshold...

Dealer ordered a new rear glass assembly and installed it in Aug or Sept. That cable lasted 3 weeks and came off, again never turned on by me.

New rear glass has just arrived so I'll head in soon to have it installed.

Hi everyone,
We are very sorry that you have experienced this. Please let us know if you would like any additional assistance with getting this addressed by your dealer. We would be happy to have a case escalated in your behalf.
Lydia
Jeep Social Care Specialist

 

[wolfdog]

My dealer "fixed" mine, after a loaner car, 3/4 hr trip each way so most of a day shot, "said leave tape on an extra day" (resoldered) lasted one day! I bought a $14. conductive epoxy kit and did it myself, 3/4 of a month now still OK!!!

Hope talking about it not a jinx? As mentioned before did the same fix on my 2007 and 2012 JKU's and it lasted til I traded! Just have to clean every thing really good as instructed and mix the little bag of epoxy well and it should be perfect. Hopefully done!

This has been a problem for a long while with JK's so it continues I guess with JL's. I think the cold weather makes the wire stiffer as it seems to happen at least to me when cold weather starts. Course you don't notice til you need the darn thing? You always don't hafta hit the wire either, it just happens?

Wow 27 days in the shop for new windows, that stinks, other things?? I doubt if you'll get the lemon law to work for window replacements but if the Jeep was shop bound for that long it should work. Threaten with it anyway and maybe you'll get a new Jeep, FCA wouild rather offer you a deal than do lemon law, at least here in assachusetts! We did it with a GC and ended up with a year newer GC, had 21k on the lemon. It cost us 2k for a year newer with 5 miles on it! If they do it their way they can easily sell it again, nice huh!!! As it turned out they were blaming a Quadra Trac problem that I thought was a bad bearing? After 2 new Quadra Trac sysems and a new Jeep to us the lead mechanic said guess what, yup two bad wheel bearings! It's OK the new Vehicle had a V8 with selec trac an regular 4wd, best ever! we won!

Good luck everyone, heck for 14 bucks it's worth a try even if it is on warranty!

Go Jeep!!!

 

[ToolMan514]

Damn, it's my turn. I have a "fix" kit left over from fixing my wife's defroster, so I'll try that before taking it to the dealer...

 

[Oilslick]

Mine has fallen off the connection too, guess I'll call dealer.

 

[Jamesaich]

Mine just popped off today. Hopefully I will have better luck but probably not.

Update - there is none! Told service they will not be getting my car back, until another option is thought of! I don’t want a 4th glass in 2 months!

Talked to service advisor, service advisor manager and service manager. After them trying to blame me for breaking it, they gave in. Was told calls were being made to Chrysler. That was 9 days ago.(16 if you count the prior week that it took me for someone to call me back the 1st time)

Placed a call to jeep customer care last night. I opened a complaint case for my car and, supposedly, someone (from jeep) will be coming out to diagnose the situation. My complaint states that I want to be compensated for the 2 months that my car has not worked correctly and I will be starting lemon law proceedings since the car is only 7 months old today!

Good luck if you have this same problem. Will update when I know more.

 

[Jamesaich]

I take it this wire is actually two wires - one on either side and either or both can break at any given time with or without hitting them? I'm now going to have to go out tomorrow and actually look at each.

Do you discover this break only when the rear defrost doesn't work or when the wire ends up dangling free? Well - according to the 2 pic examples one looks free to dangle and the other is held in by some contraption. I only ask because I haven't had to use the rear defrost much as only the windshield has frosted over thus far. I want to catch this one in the bud if it's going to happen.

Thanks! And good luck with your solutions. What a pain.

Yes it is 2 wires - 1 on each side. The first 2 times, the longer right side, popped off. This time it was the very short, left side. It has to be some kind of electrical problem since solder is not melted. It pops off clean.

 

[Oilslick]

Called dealer, they said 1st try will be epoxy, when and if it fails, new glass. It will take 3hrs, and what do you know, no loaner cars available. Oh well, shit happens, and lots of you have it way worse!

 

[KarenBrown]

The info in the post regarding the repair is spot on... however, with the JL's, FCA has been telling dealers they are to replace the rear window and not repair it. This has been reported by 3 or 4 forum member's here over the last 3 months.

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My Jeep is 2018 Sahara JL. The defogger connection has come off 3 times now. They have replaced the rear glass twice and the service technician said he has NEVER seen this happen once and to see it twice on my jeep he said is crazy. He was trying to insinuate it was something I must have done. I just noticed a few days ago it is detached AGAIN. This is the third time and I am glad I researched this and joined this forum. I am printing this thread when I go back in there to tell them to fix it again. I only have 8,000 miles on my JL and have never been off-road other than beach driving.

 

[JeepinJason]

I received mine back from the dealer and they used something to glue the contact back to the window. Hopefully it will work

 

[ToolMan514]

This is basically what I used... So far, so good. Amazon link is 6-pack -- you know we'll need them!


https://www.amazon.com/Permatex-21351-6PK-Electrically-Conductive-Defogger/dp/B01G723E3E/

 

[Jamesaich]

My Jeep is 2018 Sahara JL. The defogger connection has come off 3 times now. They have replaced the rear glass twice and the service technician said he has NEVER seen this happen once and to see it twice on my jeep he said is crazy. He was trying to insinuate it was something I must have done. I just noticed a few days ago it is detached AGAIN. This is the third time and I am glad I researched this and joined this forum. I am printing this thread when I go back in there to tell them to fix it again. I only have 8,000 miles on my JL and have never been off-road other than beach driving.

Your story is extremely similar to mine! I have contacted everyone possible - dealership, service center, recall center, social media on Facebook and Twitter, and Jeep customer care! Already have had 3 rear glasses and the service center wants to put a 4th on! It’s on order and I refuse to answer their calls! I have an open complaint case with Jeep customer care! 4 days later, I’m still waiting for a call from my case manager. I holding off till after holidays to call my lawyer, since they are dodging every attempt I have made, to rectify this situation!

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