Buick Park Avenue 1993 rear window defogger

[dreager]

Originally Posted by HotZ28

Let's check one more thing before you move on to the "black Box". When you installed the new circuit breaker, did you look closely at the condition of the pins in the fuse/relay panel, female connector? Remember, these terminals & wires carry up to 30 amp when the defroster is on and they are subject to heat damage. The female pins/clips must provide a clean & tight connection on the male circuit breaker prongs to carry the load.

Hmmm... that may explain why it worked for over an hour when I jiggled it, but when I swapped em it went back to broke ? The answer is no I didn't check as it was snowing and very awkward to get under there, but now you mention it I will as soon as weather improves.

Of course the questions are what can I do if connectors are shot, sand I assume, and would relay overheat if only the plus/minus was side was getting power?

Thanks for sticking with this.

[dreager]

Originally Posted by HotZ28

Let's check one more thing before you move on to the "black Box". When you installed the new circuit breaker, did you look closely at the condition of the pins in the fuse/relay panel, female connector? Remember, these terminals & wires carry up to 30 amp when the defroster is on and they are subject to heat damage. The female pins/clips must provide a clean & tight connection on the male circuit breaker prongs to carry the load.

Ok I think we're on the right track here !

I got a paper emery board which I cut to fit the hole and sanded the terminals.(but it tends to bend as its a tight fit) At one point I couldn't get defogger to cut out after repeated tries...all good. Then I restarted the car and it cut out first time after 3 mins. Tried sanding again and it ran a full cycle and after pausing, on the second cycle it lasted at least 7 minutes.(I overstress it by operating the seats too btw). This was after driving for a long time with snow/salt on the carpet. My question is, would the salt evaporating/rising over the years eventually cause corrosion, and might this be a continual cause if not thoroughly cleaned ?

I'll keep picking away at it and let you know if it lasts.

**By the way there are 2 prongs you squeeze which causes the relay box to drop down making it easier to work on.

[HotZ28]

Originally Posted by dreager

My question is, would the salt evaporating/rising over the years eventually cause corrosion, and might this be a continual cause if not thoroughly cleaned ?

No, this is simply an overloaded terminal! Once you get it clean enough to carry the load, put some dielectric grease in the terminals before you plug the circuit breaker in. It sounds like you are making some progress.

BTW, you might try using a finger nail file (sandpaper) cut to fit into the terminal and work with it some more. Be careful and do not damage the terminals, all you want to do is clean them! Good luck and keep us informed.

[dreager]

Originally Posted by HotZ28

No, this is simply an overloaded terminal! Once you get it clean enough to carry the load, put some dielectric grease in the terminals before you plug the circuit breaker in. It sounds like you are making some progress.

BTW, you might try using a finger nail file (sandpaper) cut to fit into the terminal and work with it some more. Be careful and do not damage the terminals, all you want to do is clean them! Good luck and keep us informed.

Yo da man HOTZ !!!!!!!

After a further sanding it has continually worked thro' numerous cycles without cutting out. YAH !!!! Dielectric grease to follow.

It makes my day NOT to have to go after the "black box"!

Mission accomplished

[HotZ28]

Originally Posted by dreager

Yo da man HOTZ !!!!!!!

After a further sanding it has continually worked thro' numerous cycles without cutting out. YAH !!!! Dielectric grease to follow.

It makes my day NOT to have to go after the "black box"!

Mission accomplished

Good job & Congratulations! May you have a frostless rear window all winter up there in good ole Arnprior Canada!