HybridHydra Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 12/28 I received my Datsun 280z as my first car. The Rear defrost does not work and I am wondering if I would have to get a whole new rear window or just a rear defrost relay? The problem is that I can not find if the defroster relay is the item I need, google search results me in only finding the switch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Gadsby Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 you getting power at the relay? Power at the window? Break out the multimeter and get working! I find a quick test for power at the right location will shed lots of light on the problem. Congrats on the car btw. Get acquainted with this site, the search, and the search function for this site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheesymamba Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 If the grid is your problem then you can get a replacement here, its easier then replacing the window. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewZed Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 The defrost grid material is commonly worn away from years of sunlight and cleanings. They usually don't work. The Frost Fighter is a good idea but the sizes available are too big and don't fit the windows right. I haven't seen any simple solutions to fixing the rear window defrost. There is a troubleshooting procedure in the FSM. Body Electrical, I believe. http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/280z/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPMS Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 (edited) Yeah, the defrost grids are usually the problem. The only real solution I know of is to buy new glass which, in Atlanta, runs $320 installed. Welcome to the wonderful world of Z's! They're amazing cars, and I hope you come to love yours as much as I have loved mine. *Edit* I looked at the Frost Fighter website, and although their solution looks like an effective (and less expensive) alternative to replacing the glass, I don't see how their defroster lines could line up with the factory grid. You'd have twice as many wires to see through. Too bad there's no way to get rid of the factory defrost lines. Edited December 31, 2014 by RPMS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
socorob Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 http://www.lawsonproducts.com/images/Electrical/Electrical-Tools/Defroster-Grid-Repair-Pen/Defroster-Grid-Repair-Pen/largeImage/DV_WebLarge_I_P68551.jpg There are pens to repair small spots that are missing but not sure how the work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan_Austin Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 The Frost Fighter grid is delivered on sheets much like wax paper and has an adhesive on the grid itself. By its nature it is a universal fit with the intent that you would trim the width to fit. On one of my hatches I used a razor blade to remove the lingering remnants of the original grid and then cut the FF grid into individual strips. That way I could carefully apply the grid lines directly over the original, which had stained the glass, so even scrapping could not fully remove them. The kit also includes new bus bars to distribute power to the grid. The manufacture does not recommend using the factory bus, but it may be possible if additional resistance is added. The result was fairly good, and much better than nothing. I plan to do it again and may try adding a dab of solder to the joint between the individual grid lines and the bus bar, as a couple of the lines worked poorly compared to the others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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