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2013 Chevrolet Suburban
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Broken off rear window defroster connection

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Old August 2nd, 2016, 7:00 PM
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Default Broken off rear window defroster connection

I tell ya when it rains it pours man! I just replaced the front calipers and flex brake lines on my 07 Tahoe, and now this evening I start packing up my Tahoe for a visit to see my folks, and I see that driver's side connection for the rear defroster is completely broken off from the glass. My wife and kids just returned from a few days in PA, and I know one of them did this, but no one is confessing. Can this be repaired? Or is the only fix replacing the rear glass? AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Attached Thumbnails Broken off rear window defroster connection-img_1235.jpg   Broken off rear window defroster connection-img_1233.jpg  

Last edited by Typerod; August 2nd, 2016 at 7:09 PM.
Old August 2nd, 2016, 8:25 PM
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it can be soldered back on, its not much fun and you need to use silver solder but it is possible.
Old August 2nd, 2016, 9:36 PM
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First thing to do is to check to make sure that the one that is still attached is slack when the window is shut. If it's not slack, stretch it until it is. Some on the forum have successfully used the kit that is used to repair broken defroster lines which is basically a conductive epoxy to reattach the terminal to the window.

Of course you will want to stretch this one also before reattaching.
Old August 2nd, 2016, 11:03 PM
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You can try this stuff - specifically designed for the task. Click HERE

In all honesty, I tried the repair three times with this stuff - couldn't get it to work. Tabs kept coming off. But I think the previous owner really hacked it up, too. Besides, my windows are so deeply tinted back there, it really doesn't make much of a difference, and I've got the oversized towing mirrors that are heated, so I'm pretty much GTG even with no rear defroster.
Old August 3rd, 2016, 10:00 AM
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Originally Posted by cleveland63b
it can be soldered back on, its not much fun and you need to use silver solder but it is possible.
Originally Posted by 73shark
First thing to do is to check to make sure that the one that is still attached is slack when the window is shut. If it's not slack, stretch it until it is. Some on the forum have successfully used the kit that is used to repair broken defroster lines which is basically a conductive epoxy to reattach the terminal to the window.

Of course you will want to stretch this one also before reattaching.
Originally Posted by intheburbs
You can try this stuff - specifically designed for the task. Click HERE

In all honesty, I tried the repair three times with this stuff - couldn't get it to work. Tabs kept coming off. But I think the previous owner really hacked it up, too. Besides, my windows are so deeply tinted back there, it really doesn't make much of a difference, and I've got the oversized towing mirrors that are heated, so I'm pretty much GTG even with no rear defroster.
Thanks all! My back window is limo tinted. But it still irks me to just leave it broken like that, lol. I take that I need to scrape the white coating on the "conductor tab" before I try any of the suggested fixes, right? It seems that white coating would be conductive too, but I dont know all about this issue.
Old August 3rd, 2016, 8:09 PM
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there was a service bulletin for a certain range of vehicles that I think had instructions on how they recommended you solder it back on, I'll try to look later if I remember
Old August 3rd, 2016, 9:18 PM
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If you elect to use the epoxy or solder, the terminal and glass should both be scrupulously clean.
Old August 4th, 2016, 8:16 AM
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#03-08-48-006J is the bulletin, not sure if you can find it on google or anything. On a side note if you do go this route keep in mind under warranty it only pays a guy .3 (18min) to do the entire job....oh the joys of working for a dealer.
Old August 5th, 2016, 8:01 PM
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Originally Posted by cleveland63b
there was a service bulletin for a certain range of vehicles that I think had instructions on how they recommended you solder it back on, I'll try to look later if I remember
Originally Posted by 73shark
If you elect to use the epoxy or solder, the terminal and glass should both be scrupulously clean.
Originally Posted by cleveland63b
#03-08-48-006J is the bulletin, not sure if you can find it on google or anything. On a side note if you do go this route keep in mind under warranty it only pays a guy .3 (18min) to do the entire job....oh the joys of working for a dealer.
Thank you shark and cleveland for your help! The bulletin number is especially helpful, to understand the repair, thanks again! I can always count on the members here!
Old August 6th, 2016, 2:28 PM
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There are a couple of threads on this topic

https://chevroletforum.com/forum/tah...007-sub-63126/

https://chevroletforum.com/forum/tah...efogger-57659/

https://chevroletforum.com/forum/tah...ell-off-39447/



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