New Rear Window with Defrost but no Button

[rd-seattle]

I had my rear window replaced in my 2019 Ram 1500 after the frame cracked and water was leaking inside.

The new window has the defrost lines across the glass but my base model truck doesn’t have the rear window defrost button. (I did not have rear defrost window originally.)

How would I know if the dealership ran wiring for the window or left it unpowered. I’m a little worried if it’s just on all the time when the truck is running…

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[Tulecreeper]

I had my rear window replaced in my 2019 Ram 1500 after the frame cracked and water was leaking inside.

The new window has the defrost lines across the glass but my base model truck doesn’t have the rear window defrost button. (I did not have rear defrost window originally.)

How would I know if the dealership ran wiring for the window or left it unpowered. I’m a little worried if it’s just on all the time when the truck is running…

Thanks for any feedback.

If you did not have rear window defrost originally, you don't have it now because there is no wiring for it.

 

[rd-seattle]

So there’s just not gonna be power and I don’t need to worry over it you think ?

If you did not have rear window defrost originally, you don't have it now because there is no wiring for it.

 

[Tulecreeper]

So there’s just not gonna be power and I don’t need to worry over it you think ?

I would think not. You could wait until it cools down after dark and go feel the glass to see if it's warm, but but the odds of the dealership finding wiring to an option you never had that is controlled by a button that never existed is nil. I would just assume that was the only window they had in stock and since it fits, they just used that.

 

[rd-seattle]

Good idea I’ll have to try that.. and you’re probably 100% right. Thank you for the reassurance.

 

[turkeybird56]

Good idea I’ll have to try that.. and you’re probably 100% right. Thank you for the reassurance.

The wiring for both the motor and the rear window defroster are in the control unit that goes from vehicle wiring to the window. I had mine replaced in Feb 2024, but I have the rear window option. If you do not, then it just not gonna work, nothing to route power to the heated "lines", ... IMHO.

NOTE in PIC: THE BLACK controller hanging in between the (2) wires, that is the control module and motor control that runs your rear slider window and the heated window strips. IF U did not have it already wired in, highly doubt you will have that option (rear defroster) available. Whether or not there is wiring present in your dashboard that goes into the wiring harness where You could hook up say an auxillary switch for the rear window defroster, well that is beyond my skills and of knowledge that I have. I am also assuming that you do not have heated mirrors as the switch on my 2019 that turns on the mirrors is the same button/switch that turns on the rear defroster. FTR: That switch is also timed in my wiring, as my heated steering wheel/heated drivers seat and (mirrors-rear window defroster) comes on automatically (as set in U Connect) when temp outside is under 40 degrees. But the mirrors and rear defroster are timed and turn off after set amount of time in BCM, but I am not sure how long that is.

 

[rd-seattle]

I do have a sliding rear window so I suppose the wiring could be there for the defrosting window to be plugged in. However, I do not have the dash that you showed in your photo. I have the lowest model dash/radio. I can show a photo when I return home tonight.

I think my concern was if I do have the wiring (due to having the motorized window) would they have plugged in the power for the defrosters when I have no button for them. I do not have heated mirrors.

Thank you for the additional information and photographs. Maybe I can look at the wiring and install my own switch for the new defroster window hahaha

 

[turkeybird56]

Believe all the wiring is encompassed in one unit till it comes into dash and utilized. Sometimes the wiring is in the wire loom and tied off just not used.

Heck u might get lucky and be able to wire in aux switch if u can find the wiring in loom but that is a lot of incense burning.

Good luck on all this.

 

[turkeybird56]

Best I can do wiring I am no good at.

 

[rd-seattle]

Here are some images for anyone else who might have thoughts on this. I originally had a power slide window but no defrost lines. After the leak I now have a new rear window with defrost lines and no button to turn them on.

Any idea how I could test if they’ve got power?

Thanks!

 

[warlock23]

The wiring for both the motor and the rear window defroster are in the control unit that goes from vehicle wiring to the window. I had mine replaced in Feb 2024, but I have the rear window option. If you do not, then it just not gonna work, nothing to route power to the heated "lines", ... IMHO.

NOTE in PIC: THE BLACK controller hanging in between the (2) wires, that is the control module and motor control that runs your rear slider window and the heated window strips. IF U did not have it already wired in, highly doubt you will have that option (rear defroster) available. Whether or not there is wiring present in your dashboard that goes into the wiring harness where You could hook up say an auxillary switch for the rear window defroster, well that is beyond my skills and of knowledge that I have. I am also assuming that you do not have heated mirrors as the switch on my 2019 that turns on the mirrors is the same button/switch that turns on the rear defroster. FTR: That switch is also timed in my wiring, as my heated steering wheel/heated drivers seat and (mirrors-rear window defroster) comes on automatically (as set in U Connect) when temp outside is under 40 degrees. But the mirrors and rear defroster are timed and turn off after set amount of time in BCM, but I am not sure how long that is.

View attachment 551030View attachment 551031View attachment 551032

I have that defrost button for my mirror in my 2023 Ram Warlock but no defrost window. Would you think the wirring would be there already at the rear window? Also the price we pay for these trucks Stellantis should supply every owner with a shop manual lol