Failing Defrosters? Check These Common Causes First

Had the same heating troubles with my 2003 Chevy Impala last winter. The rear window defroster completely stopped working, and the front was barely functional. Turned out the problem wasn't just the heating coils, it was a combo of issues. The main culprit was a faulty relay switch for the window demister system, but there was also corrosion on the rear defroster grid connections. The battery was getting drained trying to power the malfunctioning system, which explained the error codes. The fix involved replacing the relay, cleaning the electrical contacts, and repairing a broken heating coil on the rear window. It was actually a serious electrical system issue that could've caused bigger problems if left unchecked. Quick tip: Before heading to a shop, check if your battery terminals are clean and tight, sometimes poor connections can mimic defroster problems. But given your car's age and symptoms, it's likely the actual defroster system needs professional attention.

Thanks for sharing that information about your Impala's defrost problems. That's really helpful since it sounds exactly like what I'm experiencing with the Camaro. Quick question, do you remember roughly how much the repair ended up costing? Also wondering if you've had any other car defrost issues pop up since getting it fixed? I'm especially concerned about the battery drain you mentioned, since I've noticed my car seems a bit sluggish starting up on cold mornings. Definitely going to check those battery connections first before taking it in. Let me know about the cost when you get a chance.

After getting my Impala checked at the shop, the battery issue turned out to be the main problem. The window heater and demister troubles cleared up once they fixed the heavily discharged battery. The total repair came to 290€ for the battery replacement and electrical system check. The rear window heating is working perfectly now, no issues at all since the fix six months ago. The mechanics explained that a failing battery can cause all sorts of weird electrical problems, including making the heating coil system act up. Definitely worth getting your battery tested if you're noticing slow starts. Good call checking those battery connections first, but based on your symptoms, you might be dealing with the same underlying battery problem I had. The sluggish morning starts you mentioned were exactly what I experienced before getting it sorted. Since the repair, both front and rear window demister systems have been working great through all weather conditions. Haven't spent another cent on heating-related issues.

Thanks everyone for the advice! Wanted to update on how this turned out. Finally took my Camaro to a certified shop last week. The mechanic found the battery was indeed shot and causing most of the problems with the car defrost system. They also found a broken connection in the rear window heater grid. Total bill came to about €400, €150 for a new battery, €200 for fixing the window demister connection, and €50 for diagnostic testing. The rear window defroster now heats up perfectly, and the front windshield clears much faster too. No more sluggish starts in the morning either. Really glad I checked here first, saved me from getting overcharged at that first sketchy shop that wanted to replace the entire defroster system. The actual fix was much simpler and cheaper than I feared. Car's running great now, especially in the cold weather.