Rear Window Defogger Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 Pontiac G5 and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Battery positive voltage is supplied through the RR DEFOG fuse, in the underhood fuse block, to the REAR DEFOG relay switched input. Ground for the REAR DEFOG relay is provided by G101. The BCM supplies 12 volts on the rear window defogger switch signal circuit to the HVAC control assembly. When you depress the rear window defogger switch, the rear window defogger switch pulls the signal circuit low. The BCM interprets as a request for the rear window defogger system. The BCM enables the rear window defogger system by supplying voltage to the REAR DEFOG relay coil. The relay coil supply voltage is also spliced off internally in the BCM to the supply voltage circuit of the rear window defogger indicator. The REAR DEFOG relay is energized and the rear window defogger indicator is illuminated. With the relay energized, battery positive voltage is allowed from the relay switched input through the switch contacts and out the relay switched output to the rear window defogger grid. Ground for the rear window defogger grid is provided by G403.

When you start the engine and press the rear window defogger switch for the first time, the defogger cycle lasts for 15 minutes. Further operation results in 7.5 minute defogger cycles. The rear defogger feature will not time out if vehicle speed is above 80 km/h (50 mph). The defogger cycle resets to 15 minutes when you cycle the ignition to the OFF position and then to the ON position.