Thread: defrost blew up my windshield????

ok i hit the switch to defrost my rear window the other day and after about a minute i smelt fireworks (sauder?) in the car and then BOOM! there went my back window. im pretty sure it was the defrost connection because it radiated from the drivers side connection. How could this happen? is there not a safety fuse or something for it not to happen or get to hot?

Im sure there would be something that would limit the current. But it is kind of weird that even a short would cause the window to break. There are copper stripes on the window that carry the current to create the heat to melt what is on the window. But there is a solder connection where the terminals attach.
Was it really cold out? If it was hot the extra heat from the defrost could have stressed the window past its threshold.

How cold outside was it? Yea, there is a fuse for it also. Weird.

Happened to my B14 about a year and a half ago. It was close to -10*F and it was night. I saw sparks smelled something and before I could shut it off, it shattered the window. Sounded like a damn gun shot, to make it worse, I had two people in the back seat, but between the tint and safety glass, it held up for the rest of the trip and until I got it replaced later that week.

Did you by chance ever use the defrost repair goo? I attribute that to my problem. GL with the $250 to replace the window.

$250?!? Where are you getting that deal!!!??? I couldn't find one in town (new) for less than $980! But then, that was for an NX, so I guess they're a little harder to come by now. Good luck, man!

it was about 80 degrees out side. and it did sound like a gunshot as well. I did not use any repair goo on my car. my two year old was with me at the time and asks me if i have anymore fireworks to set off each time we get in. i got mine replaced for 148.00 installed!!!!!! and they came to my work!!!!! guess i came out lucky.

Yeah, dude, NX. Theres like what 6 of those hatch glass pieces left new? lol

As for Huxley, nice job on the low cost. Might be due to options though. What model car, etc?

I got mine for a B14 with an alarm, pre-tinted to boot.

This is why I always just disconnect the rear defrost connections in all cars. I've had that experience twice, and will never again have it happen to me in a car that's paid for.

Cars that are new and have warranties, I don't care so much about. If it breaks, they need to fix it.

Then again, I live in the desert too, so It's RARE that I would ever have to use one.

options.... had defroster in glass. no tint however. ill get that done next pay day. my car needed all new tint anyway so its not much of a loss.