GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Relay Switch B+

2

2

--

--

Rear Defog Relay Control

2

B0283 05

B0283 05

--

Rear Window Defogger Grid Control

2

2

1

--

Relay Coil Ground

--

B0283 05

2

--

Rear Window Defogger Grid Ground

--

2

2

--

1. Rear Defogger Always ON

2. Rear Defogger Inoperative

Circuit/System Description

When the rear defogger button is pressed, voltage is supplied to the relay coil and the HVAC control module also illuminates the rear window defogger indicator. Battery positive voltage is supplied at all times to the relay switched input and the relay coil is always grounded. This allows battery positive voltage from the relay switched input through the switch contacts and out the relay switched output to the rear window defogger.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Defogger Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Rear Window Defogger Description and Operation

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

Circuit/System Verification

  1. Ignition ON, command the Rear Defog Request ON and OFF with a scan tool. The rear window defogger should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
  2. Observe the operation of the rear window defogger indicator while pressing the rear window defogger switch. The indicator should turn ON or OFF each time the rear window defogger switch is pressed.
  3. If the indicator does not turn ON or OFF with each switch press, replace the HVAC control module.

Circuit/System Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the RR DEFOG relay.
  2. Test for less than 1 ohm between the relay coil ground circuit terminal and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  4. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp does not illuminate between the relay controlled output circuit terminal and ground.
  5. If the test lamp illuminates, test the output circuit for a short to voltage.
  6. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the relay switch B+ circuit terminal and ground.
  7. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance.If the circuit tests normal and the B+ circuit fuse is open, test the relay controlled output circuit terminal for a short to ground.
  8. Ignition OFF, disconnect the X1 harness connector at the rear window defogger.
  9. Test for less than 1 ohm between the ground circuit terminal A and ground.
  10. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  11. Connect the harness connector at the rear window defogger.
  12. Ignition ON, connect a 40A fused jumper wire between the relay switch B+ circuit terminal and the relay controlled output circuit terminal. Verify the rear window defogger grid is activated.
  13. If the rear window defogger grid does not activate, test the output circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the rear window defogger grid.
  14. Connect a test lamp between the relay coil control circuit terminal and ground.
  15. Command the Rear Defog Request ON and OFF with a scan tool. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
  16. If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the HVAC control module.
    If the test lamp is always OFF, test the control circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the HVAC control module.
  17. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the RR DEFOG relay.

Component Testing

Rear Window Defogger Grid Test

  1. Ignition ON, turn on the rear window defogger.
  2. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between each rear window defogger grid line and ground. The test lamp should be off when testing at the ground side of the grid and get brighter as the test lamp moves closer to the voltage supply side of the grid. The test lamp should be dim when testing each grid line in the middle.
  3. If the test lamp remains bright at the middle of the grid line, test for an open between the test point and the ground side of the grid.
    If the test lamp remains off at the middle of the grid line, test for an open between the test point and the voltage supply side of the grid.

Relay Test

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the RR DEFOG relay.
  2. Test for 60-180 ohms between terminals 85 and 86.
  3. If not within the specified range, replace the relay.
  4. Test for infinite resistance between the following terminals:
  5. • 30 and 86
    • 30 and 87
    • 30 and 85
    • 85 and 87
    If not the specified value, replace the relay.
  6. Install a 30A fused jumper wire between relay terminal 85 and 12V. Install a jumper wire between relay terminal 86 and ground. Test for less than 2 ohms between terminals 30 and 87.
  7. If greater than the specified range, replace the relay.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Rear Window Replacement
    •  Relay Replacement
    •  Control Module References for HVAC control module replacement, setup, and programming