Rear defrost issue

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rklus16

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Remote started the truck this morning and came out to load the kid in the truck and noticed one side of the defroster wasn't working. We had some freezing drizzle so I guess it made it more noticeable this morning. Didn't notice any of the defroster lines broken on that side. Didn't know if there might be a quick fix/check/reason why it would do this on one side. Photo also here.

IMG_20200113_0744342.jpg
 

RamCares

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Remote started the truck this morning and came out to load the kid in the truck and noticed one side of the defroster wasn't working. We had some freezing drizzle so I guess it made it more noticeable this morning. Didn't notice any of the defroster lines broken on that side. Didn't know if there might be a quick fix/check/reason why it would do this on one side. Photo also here.

View attachment 191702
Hi rklus16, We certainly understand why this may be concerning. We understand you are reaching out to fellow forum members, however if you are not able to remedy this concern with the advice provided here, I kindly recommend connecting with your local Ram dealer.
Rob
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Georgiasport

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When you take it to the dealer, they are going to try a repair kit. This may or may not work (didn't on mine when 4 strips on one side didn't heat up). Then they will replace your whole back window which involves breaking the glass on the window to get it out. Make sure if the go the second route they take care of your headliner. They messed mine up and had to replace that after which in turn involved removing the front windshield. They broke the auto rain sensor on the windshield and had to put a new one in. It was a 90 day nightmare. Hopefully they can fix it with the repair kit.
 

madtrucker2016

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also if they remove your back window they have to put a brand new third brake light in with gasket.The old stuff will leak water demand a new third brake light trust me on this one.
 

RaftingDave

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I have problems with mine as well, though not that bad. A few of the heating element strips don't work very well, or at all. Extremely uneven. Driver's side, only the two elements in the middle seem to work.

Mine's going in next week for a brake check - hopefully they'll test and repair. I really don't want to go through an extended nightmare of window replacement, etc.
 

Tripper

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You might operate the slider and make sure it's closed. I had one a few years ago that wouldn't work and that's all it was. Just a thought.
 

Toddbigboytruck

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Ok I guess I am dumb but what year is your truck I don’t have rear window defrost. I have a 18 Laramie
 

JoeCo

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Ok I guess I am dumb but what year is your truck I don’t have rear window defrost. I have a 18 Laramie

According to his info he has a 2016...my 2017 longhorn has it. Must have been optional? Neither of my regular cabs had it.
 

Toddbigboytruck

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According to his info he has a 2016...my 2017 longhorn has it. Must have been optional? Neither of my regular cabs had it.
Thank you I have a crew cap and I thought I had all the options in my larime and I know I didn’t have that. It not like it would be and help and way due to the fibreglass cap but still. I have learned so much on this site and again thank you
 

JoeCo

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Thank you I have a crew cap and I thought I had all the options in my larime and I know I didn’t have that. It not like it would be and help and way due to the fibreglass cap but still. I have learned so much on this site and again thank you

No problem at all happy to help...so many options on these things it's hard to remember them all.
 

RamCares

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I have problems with mine as well, though not that bad. A few of the heating element strips don't work very well, or at all. Extremely uneven. Driver's side, only the two elements in the middle seem to work.

Mine's going in next week for a brake check - hopefully they'll test and repair. I really don't want to go through an extended nightmare of window replacement, etc.

Hello RaftingDave,
We are certainly sorry to hear about your recent concern. Please keep us updated on your dealer visit. If we can be of any assistance, feel free to send us a private message. We'd be glad to help.
Laura
RamCares
 

RaftingDave

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I have problems with mine as well, though not that bad. A few of the heating element strips don't work very well, or at all. Extremely uneven. Driver's side, only the two elements in the middle seem to work.

Mine's going in next week for a brake check - hopefully they'll test and repair. I really don't want to go through an extended nightmare of window replacement, etc.

Well....they're saying my elements got scraped, so the rear window replacement isn't covered under warranty....which is kind of what I thought they'd say, even though I didn't see any evidence that I scraped it at any time. I don't think it's worth fighting over - it only affects about half the pane, and I use the passenger side for visibility mostly anyway. They're going to put together an estimate on the window replacement and we'll look at it...but for now, I don't need the brain (or wallet) damage.
 

JMod45

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Well....they're saying my elements got scraped, so the rear window replacement isn't covered under warranty....which is kind of what I thought they'd say, even though I didn't see any evidence that I scraped it at any time. I don't think it's worth fighting over - it only affects about half the pane, and I use the passenger side for visibility mostly anyway. They're going to put together an estimate on the window replacement and we'll look at it...but for now, I don't need the brain (or wallet) damage.

If they can point out the scrapes, you may be able to fix it yourself. My 1987 Jeep Cherokee had 2 or 3 lines in the back glass that didn't work. Used a kit to fix them, and it worked.

That was over 15 years ago now, so I don't know exactly what kit, but I would imagine this kit would work the same:
https://www.amazon.com/Permatex-09117-Complete-Window-Defogger/dp/B000ALBZJY

On second thought, It would probably have to be a pretty noticeable scrape to take out every line.
Unless it is a scrape on one of the mains. Maybe check where the bigger part comes in / leaves. I think technically that kit could fix those too. It's all the same stuff.
 

NYR14

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Has anyone ever had the wire that connects to the window detach from it causing it not to work? That's my current dilemma.
 

RaftingDave

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If they can point out the scrapes, you may be able to fix it yourself. My 1987 Jeep Cherokee had 2 or 3 lines in the back glass that didn't work. Used a kit to fix them, and it worked.

That was over 15 years ago now, so I don't know exactly what kit, but I would imagine this kit would work the same:
https://www.amazon.com/Permatex-09117-Complete-Window-Defogger/dp/B000ALBZJY

On second thought, It would probably have to be a pretty noticeable scrape to take out every line.
Unless it is a scrape on one of the mains. Maybe check where the bigger part comes in / leaves. I think technically that kit could fix those too. It's all the same stuff.

Thanks, man, I'll check this out.

No, it's not every line, just a few of them. I think the OP in this thread lost everything on his passenger side, which I suspect is a different problem from mine.

When I picked the truck up this evening, the service writer gave me an estimate for a new rear window.

$1600, give or take.
 
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