How to prevent pulling defroster grid tab

Mooseman

Original poster
Moderator
Dec 4, 2011
26,252
Ottawa, ON
After reading a few had pulled the tabs off of their rear defroster grids, I wanted to prevent mine from pulling. One had already bent down. Thought of using these wire holders with zip ties to remove the tension off of the tabs.

And yes, I ran lines of grid repair paint as most of the grids are broken under where the weatherstripping rubs on the baked on stuff. There's not way to fix them under that so ran new common lines on each side. Hope I can get most of them working again.
 

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lovesrugers

Member
Jan 25, 2012
30
Hey let me know if you were able to get the defroster grid working again with your new common ground. My Bravada has the exact same problem.

Jerry
 

Mooseman

Original poster
Moderator
Dec 4, 2011
26,252
Ottawa, ON
Had tons of frost everywhere this morning, except on the rear window :frown:. As soon as I see the results, I'll post.

Another thing about this mod. If your tab has already been pulled, just solder the wire directly and hold it in place with the zip tie. Should be fairly easy if there is still a bit of the original solder still on the glass. Just be careful to not get it too hot and to slowly warm the glass with a heat gun or hair dryer prior to soldering. This is especially important if it's cold.
 

DonnyDrywall

Member
Nov 26, 2013
95
Great idea!!! My dog tore the passenger side tab off the pad and I was forced to re solder the tab back on the pad slightly off center. Everything still works I just wish I had thought of this "mod" as my company has bins full of those stick on cradle mounts.
 

Mooseman

Original poster
Moderator
Dec 4, 2011
26,252
Ottawa, ON
After a year, the double sided tape on mine gave up. I re-glued them using super glue.

As for the new runs of grid repair paint, I had to re-apply it as a lot peeled off. Most grids still work, just three aren't working probably because of a break in the middle of them somewhere. There might be a better conductive paint at electronic supply stores but haven't had the time to really look.
 

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