Rear Defroster Help

[dannyd74]

I just bought a 2001 Rodeo, and the rear defroster doesn't work. The switch on the dash doesn't light up. I checked the fuse box under the hood, but there isn't a fuse for the defroster. Is there a secondary fuse box in the cabin? What can I do to get the defroster working again? Any ideas? Thanks.

[dannyd74]

I have another issue. The wheels have been aligned, but it still likes to pull to the right. Could this mean a bent frame and a possible wreck?

[amigo-2k]

The roads are crowned to make the truck move towards the side of the road. Also, it seems that Isuzu sets up their trucks so they seem to be out of alignment and then they drift to the right. The first time I brought my 00 in with 9k miles to get it aligned they said that the trucks normally drift to the right. I had mine re-aligned (due getting the front wheels off the ground while off roading, oops), because when I let go of my stearing wheel it would imediatly move about 3 inches to the right.

No clue on the defroster, there was another poster last week that posted the same problem on a 01.

[95.5 Rodeo]

It sounds like a blown fuse to me because the lamp does not light up. Use a multimeter to check for 12 volts at the defroster terminals. On mine at least, the fuses (2) are located inside the car. There is a legend on the fuse box lid which tells you what each fuse does. Here is a generic step by step guide to fixing the system:

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/doity.../aa112302a.htm

I wouldn't do the soldering part if that were the problem (not likely anyway). Permatex makes a kit to fix the terminals. I bought one yesterday for $10.49 at the local auto parts store to fix broken grid lines on my Rodeo.

Dale

[Shrumph]

My dome light will not light up when I hit the switch....It will, however, light up when the doors are open....could this be similar issue?

[dannyd74]

I agree it sounds like a fuse, but I'm not sure where to find the fuse box (I've located the box in the engine compartment) in the cabin. Is there a fuse box inside the vehicle somewhere?
--On the alignment issue-
It's bizarre that a vehicle would pull this significantly to the right without something being out of whack. As long as the life of the tire isn't degraded, it's not a big deal.

[amigo-2k]

There is another fuse box. Open the drivers door and look up towards where the mirror is at when the door is closed.

You might have a bad switch? If so you could order a new one from St. Charles for under 20 bucks (I think). Or contact a local pick and up near by.

-Ryan

[dannyd74]

Thanks amigo-2k. Found the fuse box, but both fuses were good. I'm thinking the switch is bad as you suggested.