Rear Defroster

[Razzman]

ok so this weird and something I just recently noticed. Went to use the rear defroster on my ‘17 Laramie, hit the switch which lit up, and nothing happened. Looked at it and realized there’s no defroster grid lines in the glass! It has the sliding electric rear window, is this not an option with the slider? It’s odd because the button lights up. I saw a pic of one on RAMs site with defroster grids.

 

[rule18]

I have the same thing (no rear defroster filaments), but I believe that button also controls the heated mirrors..

 

[sandawilliams]

My 2014 has the slider and defrost- not that I have never needed it in Colorado.

 

[JB1]

Same with my truck, slider without defrost but with heated mirrors. The rear defrost glass is an option, unfortunately whoever ordered mine didn’t select that option.

 

[BWL]

Mine has the grid on it with the power slider. A couple friends of mine have rams and tell me they have rear window defrost, but they don't have grids. I can't find any vents back there so I think they're mistaken. One defrost button for mirrors and back window and the other to switch the climate control to defrost without going into the climate control menu.

 

[ExpressRules]

It sounds like some you actually mistaking the emblem on the dial that sets what vents the HVAC ( that lights when you push it) as being a rear window defroster when it is actually for the right and left rear view mirrors. Unless your window sticker or if you don't have that check by vin number for your build sheet you don't have a rear window defroster.

 

[Razzman]

It sounds like some you actually mistaking the emblem on the dial that sets what vents the HVAC ( that lights when you push it) as being a rear window defroster when it is actually for the right and left rear view mirrors. Unless your window sticker or if you don't have that check by vin number for your build sheet you don't have a rear window defroster.

Nope, it’s a rear defroster logo for sure, right under the front defroster button. Wasn’t on the build sheet, the premise is if you don’t have a defroster then why is the button there and why does it actually light up. Looks like it’s for the heated mirrors as stated above. Kinda stupid and kinda lazy. Not listed in the manual at all, FCA shoulda put a mirror button there if no defroster. Just saying

 

[BWL]

Nope, it’s a rear defroster logo for sure, right under the front defroster button. Wasn’t on the build sheet, the premise is if you don’t have a defroster then why is the button there and why does it actually light up. Looks like it’s for the heated mirrors as stated above. Kinda stupid and kinda lazy. Not listed in the manual at all, FCA shoulda put a mirror button there if no defroster. Just saying

I find in general the control systems in the new ram have become less user friendly and more run through a bunch of menus and give the screen your undivided attention while driving. Hopefully the trend of using engineers who must take the bus for transportation designing control systems will end soon. My new limited feels like a downgrade from my 11 interior wise. There's a reason I don't drive it.

 

[ExpressRules]

Nope, it’s a rear defroster logo for sure, right under the front defroster button.

If you get an opportunity can you post a picture of it in your truck.

 

[Razzman]

If you get an opportunity can you post a picture of it in your truck.

Here ya go;

 

[JPT]

I have a 2015, I do not have a grind on my glass, but do have a rear defroster. I think it works from the glass frame. I know mine works, as the snow melts off my glass before the cab is hot from heat.

 

[stimpy433]

Here ya go;

View attachment 117475

The rear window defrost is an option with either the solid or slider rear windows. The lower button that is lit controls the heated mirrors and (if equipped) the rear defrost.

 

[VA10]

it controls the heated side view mirrors. on my dads 17 Laramie the side view mirrors have the defroster icon on the mirrors (i think all heated mirrors do). He also does not have a rear window defroster.

 

[ExpressRules]

That is a bit different then the one I have for the rear view mirrors. Mine is on the dial that sets which vents the airflow is going to.

 

[BWL]

That is a bit different then the one I have for the rear view mirrors. Mine is on the dial that sets which vents the airflow is going to.

They got rid of that dial on the newer ones. Now it's all on the touch screen.

 

[Jimmy07]

They got rid of that dial on the newer ones. Now it's all on the touch screen.

What he’s describing is the center stack layout that comes with the 3.0 and 5.0 radios, which they do still make. What you’re thinking of is the center stack button layout that comes with the 8.4 radios. The button he’s described does, in fact, control the heated mirrors, as the rear window defrost is not an option on the express.

 

[rotwiler]

I have the same front defrost and rear defrost buttons. Even my 8.4 radio has rear defrost on settings that lights up. But, found out unless equipped they all have that rear defrost button, if no grid lines on rear window, it is just for side mirrors. Ram should have done a mirror defrost button instead for non rear defrost vehicles, but prob just easier and cheaper to use same for both.

 

[BWL]

I did

What he’s describing is the center stack layout that comes with the 3.0 and 5.0 radios, which they do still make. What you’re thinking of is the center stack button layout that comes with the 8.4 radios. The button he’s described does, in fact, control the heated mirrors, as the rear window defrost is not an option on the express.

I didn't know they made good controls for the heat still on the standard models. Makes me wonder why the higher models got the crappy ones.

 

[kiloRAM]

I have a '17 Laramie with the power rear window and rear defrost. The back windows do have the grid lines and are controlled by the button directly underneath the front defroster. The rear defrost button also controls the heated side mirrors as others have previously stated. It is my understanding that if you do not have the rear defrost option, then the button just controls the heated side mirrors. My old '04 SLT did not have rear defrost, but it had a similar button for the heated side mirrors.