GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Test Description

The number below refers to the step number on the diagnostic table.

  1. Listen for an audible click when the rear defog relay operates. Command both the ON and OFF states of the REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER relay. Repeat the commands as necessary.

Step

Action

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Defogger Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Stationary Windows Connector End Views

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle in Vehicle DTC Information

2

Important: Make sure that system voltage is near normal operating range on the vehicle. This will effect the illumination of the rear window defogger indicator.

  1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  2. Depress the rear window defogger switch.
  3. Observe the rear window defogger indicator on the HVAC control module.

Does the rear window defogger indicator illuminate?

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 5

3

Connect a test lamp between the rear window defogger grid and ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 8

4

Connect a test lamp between the left side of the rear window defogger grid and the right side of the rear window defogger grid.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems

Go to Step 14

5

Command the REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER relay ON and OFF, by depressing the rear defogger switch on the HVAC control module.

Do you hear a click when you command the REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER relay ON and OFF?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 6

6

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER relay.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. Connect a test lamp between the BATT main 3 fused voltage supply circuit of the REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER relay coil and ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 15

7

  1. Connect a test lamp between the BATT main 3 fused voltage supply circuit of the REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER relay coil and the control circuit of the REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER relay.
  2. Depress the rear window defogger switch.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 10

8

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER relay.
  3. Connect a test lamp between the battery voltage circuit of the REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER relay switched input and ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 16

9

  1. Connect a 30-amp fused jumper between the battery voltage circuit of the REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER relay switched input and the relay switched output to the supply voltage circuit of the rear window defogger grid.
  2. Connect a test lamp between the rear window defogger grid and a good ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 17

10

Test the control circuit of the REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER relay for an open or short to ground. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 11

11

Inspect for a poor connection at the harness connector of the body control module (BCM). Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 20

12

Inspect for a poor connection at the harness connector of the HVAC control module. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 18

13

Inspect for a poor connection at the REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER relay. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 19

14

Test for an open or high resistance in the ground circuit of the rear window defogger grid. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 21

Go to Defogger Grid Lines Diagnosis

15

Repair an open or high resistance in the BATT main 3 fused voltage circuit of the REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER relay coil. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 21

--

16

Replace the instrument panel (I/P) fuse block. Refer to Instrument Panel Electrical Center or Junction Block Replacement in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 21

--

17

Repair an open or high resistance in the supply voltage circuit of the rear window defogger grid. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 21

--

18

Replace the HVAC control module. Refer to Control Module References in Computer/Integrating Systems for replacement, setup, and programming.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 21

--

19

Replace the REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER relay. Refer to Relay Replacement in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 21

--

20

Replace the BCM. Refer to Control Module References in Computer/Integrating Systems for replacement, setup, and programming.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 21

--

21

Operate the system in order to verify the repair.

Did you correct the condition?

System OK

Go to Step 2