Do Rear Window Defoggers ever work? I have had Jeep Wagoneers,
Mercedes and VWs, and with the exception of those I have driven home
new from the dealer, have never had a rear window defogger work.

What is the common problem of Wagoneer rear window defogger failure,
and what is the best fix?

When you ask a question about a "Wagoneer" it's important to be
specific.

You're saying "Wagoneer" and I assume you mean an SJ "Grand
Wagoneer" because of the other threads, but I'm still not
completely sure because of the way you've mixed the names.

Do you mean one of the 1963-1983 SJ Wagoneers or 1984-1991 SJ
Grand Wagoneers? There was also an 84-90 XJ Wagoneer and for 1
year (1993) a ZJ badged a "Grand Wagoneer".

Assuming you mean a 1984-1991 SJ Grand Wagoneers, the usual
procedures apply to make sure there is power getting to the
tailgate - check the switch and the fuse first. This writeup is
helpful:
http://www.ifsja.org/tech/electrical/defroster_repair.html

There is also a defroster timer/relay in the tailgate itself that
can malfunction. It can be accessed by unscrewing the carpeted
trim panel from the tailgate and then opening the access panel.
If the rear window still works from the rear key switch, find a
way to support the window while the gate is open and then "raise"
the window while operating the key switch and holding the safety
switch on the left side of the gate. You can then access the
tailgate components.

If you have power to the timer/relay and the relay works, then by
far the most likely problem is that one of the braided wire leads
soldered to the window defrost grid has broken. There is one on
the right and left. In that case the lead should be flopping
around in the gate attached to its plug. If so, the window must
be removed and the lead soldered back to the grid. Not too hard
really. These links can give you an idea how to take the window
out: http://www.ifsja.org/tech/tailgate/index.html

I would have to say, that if you contemplate working on your
gate, using a hole saw to make openings over the location of the
window retaining clips will save much time and heartache in the
future. Cover with hole plugs + RTV when done and no one will
know but you. Also a washer and e-clip is a much easier way to
go than messing around with the factory window retaining clips.
But I digress . . .


"randallbrink (AT) mac (DOT) com" <randallbrink (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote

On Nov 2, 11:22*pm, "Apple2Steward" <n... (AT) none (DOT) net> wrote:
Thank you very much for all this. I will now be able to trace the
problem and correct.