[tkubik]

Hey guys - I had some hail damage on my 3 month old EX-L and they had to cut the roof out to fix it I got the car back finally and everything looks great.. They had to take both rear glass and front glass out. Couple mornings here I have had "dew" on the windows so I put the rear defrost on and it didn't seem to cut into the dew at all. I'm wondering if there is a sure fire way to test the defroster now instead of waiting until winter. Thanks!

 

[AgentWashington]

Try finely misting some cold water onto your rear windshield and turning on your defroster. Otherwise you could just turn it on and see if you can feel a bit of warmth after a few minutes. Not in the middle of a hot summer day of course =P

 

[tkubik]

That is a good idea. I will try it with the car in the garage and some fine mist. Thanks!

 

[tkubik]

hmmmm... went outside and idled the car with rear defrost/mirror heater button on. About 3-4 mins later and the rear glass was no different. mirrors were nice and warm. So I think they forgot to hook the dam thing up

 

[Aviography]

Hey guys - I had some hail damage on my 3 month old EX-L and they had to cut the roof out to fix it

Unrelated comment, but Jesus haven't they heard of paintless dent removal??!! I know a couple of guys who have been doing PDR for over 10 years and ever so often they get a big win-fall when there is a hail storm, they'd be working 14 hours a day but end up getting lots of money for this extra work.

Typically the insurance company just replace the hood since it is cheaper than PDR if there are a lot of dents from hails, but generally the roof is PDR'ed to kept it uncut since there is a structure integrity/safety issue after the roof is welded back on, so PDR is still a lot cheaper on a hail damaged roof.

 

[AgentWashington]

Make sure they didn't accidentally damage any of the defroster lines either. Go back and complain!

 

[newbie2honda]

Use a voltmeter to test for voltage from one side to the middle

 

[treday630]

hmmmm... went outside and idled the car with rear defrost/mirror heater button on. About 3-4 mins later and the rear glass was no different. mirrors were nice and warm. So I think they forgot to hook the dam thing up

I noticed that you have to drive for the rear defrosters to really take effect. But it does work quickly when you drive the car.

 

[tkubik]

Good point I will drive it for a bit and see. Can someone tell me if you can really feel it with your hand or is it very slight the heat? The mirrors get very warm.

If I was to hookup a volt meter.. Where would I do it? I don't see any wires readily accessible. Thanks guys!

 

[AgentWashington]

You should be able to tell if the rear windshield is warm or not, it doesn't get terribly hot but warm enough. I believe the volt meter would just go directly onto the defroster lines.

 

[campo57]

You should be able to put one prob on the strip down the left or right side then one of the wires going across the window. There should be a voltage reading.

 

[chainedlightnin]

I noticed that you have to drive for the rear defrosters to really take effect. But it does work quickly when you drive the car.

i've noticed no such thing, and it makes no sense. on a cold/frosty day, you need to be able to clear your windows BEFORE you start driving, not after a while. mine starts defrosting within a minute or so.

however, i DO notice that it doesn't shut off after 15 minutes like just about every other car i've ever owned, honda or otherwise. it just keeps on going.

 

[AznX TL]

take a can of compressed air (like for keyboards) and spray it upside down, it should create frost on the window, and do it while the defroster is on, if it makes a clear line then you know its working.

 

[Kidnice]

take a can of compressed air (like for keyboards) and spray it upside down, it should create frost on the window, and do it while the defroster is on, if it makes a clear line then you know its working.

+1
I was actually going to suggest that!
Good idea.:thmsup:

 

[92 Accord...man]

:thmsup: Compressed Air............."EXCELLENT" suggestion.