Circuit/System Testing
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Cadillac STS. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Rear Window Defogger Switch Malfunction
- Ignition ON, with a scan tool observe the rear defog status parameter while turning the rear defogger switch ON and OFF. The reading should change between ON and OFF.
- If the reading does not change as the switch is activated, replace the HVAC control module.
- Ignition ON, observe the rear defogger switch indicator while turning the rear defogger switch ON and OFF. The indicator should turn ON and OFF as the switch is activated.
- If the rear defogger switch indicator does not illuminate, replace the HVAC control module.
Rear Window Defogger Malfunction
- Ignition OFF, disconnect the rear defog relay.
- Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp does not illuminate between the control circuit terminal R8 and ground.
- If the test lamp illuminates, test the control circuit for a short to voltage.
- Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the relay switch B+ circuit terminal R7 and ground.
- If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the relay switch B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal and the relay switch B+ circuit fuse is open, test the relay controlled output circuit terminal R8 for a short to ground.
- Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the relay coil B+ circuit terminal R6 and ground.
- If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the relay coil B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance.
- Ignition OFF, disconnect the X1 harness connector at the rear window defogger grid.
- Ignition OFF, all doors closed, test for less than 5.0 ohms of resistance between the rear window defogger grid ground circuit terminal B and ground.
- If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
- Connect the X1 harness connector at the rear window defogger grid.
- Ignition OFF, disconnect the X2 harness connector at the rear window defogger grid.
- Ignition OFF, all doors closed, test for less than 5.0 ohms of resistance between the rear window defogger grid ground circuit terminal A and ground.
- If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
- Connect the X2 harness connector at the rear window defogger grid.
- Ignition ON, connect a 40 A fused jumper wire between the B+ circuit terminal R7 and the control circuit terminal R8. Verify the rear window defogger grid is activated.
- If the rear window defogger grid does not activate, test the control circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the rear window defogger grid.
- Ignition OFF, connect a test lamp between the relay B+ circuit terminal R7 and the relay control circuit terminal R10.
- Command the rear window defogger ON and OFF with a scan tool. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
- If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the RIM.
- If the test lamp is always OFF, test the control circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the RIM.
- If all circuits test normal, test or replace the rear defog relay.