Rear Defroster help!

[Supercharged-ZQ8]

My wife, in the course of loading some packages and parcels into her Blazer, knocked the right defroster lead loose on the window. I've got questions on it. . .

1) Is it possible to just tack it back into place and still have the defroster work? Or am I looking at a HUGE project?

2) What, if I can actually do it, can I use to tack it back on? It's an electrical lead, obviously, but I don't know what type of adhesive is originally used.

Can anyone lend me a hand on this one?

[Mr Bravada]

i ran out to look at mine and if its the little prong that is on the window it looks as though you can solder it back on because thats what looks like happened to mine and it works quite well, as far as the long strip that the little prong connects to...it looks like it is just adhesive like 3M or the like....i know window tint holds it in place because i tinted the back window of our blazer that had rear defroster issues and that held all in place and works great.

[Maximus]

I had the same thing happen on my last camaro when I was loading some stuff in it.I just used solder to connect it back and it worked just fine.It was still holding and working when I sold it.

[LEADFOOT]

Does anyone know where I can buy a rear defroster repair kit to fix a break in the lines that go across the window. When I had my windows tinted they cut the main thick square on one side and I didn't notice it until a few months ago. Its been awhile since I got them tinted so I don't think they will fix it. I know there is some kind of liquid you can get to fix it but I can't find it anywhere.

[Matt 4.3 TBI]

I've been fighting with my defroster wires for years now. I used a Bernz-o-matic to heat up the solder and stick them back on a few times, but they'll just break again sooner or later. I had to re-splice the upper contact on the passenger side once as well. I've yet to find a permanant fix. If you go the propane torch route, watch out in case the solder drips off. The last time I tried to do the passenger side, it all dripped off onto my bumper. On the driver's side I have the wire wrapped under the contact point (h-shape piece tack'd in 4 spots) and covered with some black duct tape. Since all the solder dripped off the passenger side, it's just held down to the contact with a bit of duct tape. So far, it's been the best fix. Going on 8 months with no problems. Not the most high-tech, but it works! Really you should take off the rear window, lay it flat and solder them on...if you want to do it 'right' :D

[XxInFaxX]

just get a soldering pencil and get er done!

[T Man]

just remember that when soddeirng electrical connections, use resin core. Acid core sodder will promote oxidation

[XxInFaxX]

do people even use acid core any more? 60/40 rosin!

[Supercharged-ZQ8]

do people even use acid core any more? 60/40 rosin!
Yes -- but NOT for electronics. Acid core is more for metal soldering.

[Supercharged-ZQ8]

Let me clarify a little. . . The lead that attaches to the window itself came loose. Looks like it's just some kind of glue (I haven't devoted a heck of a lot of time into looking it over -- been either too busy or too sick). I'm going to double check it over the weekend, but I seem to recall that it just looked like adhesive -- the lead itself is OK and the defroster works (partially), so I don't think it was a major electrical connection.