Honda Car Forum

The rear window defogger switch on my 91 Acura Integra does not remain
depressed. (and the rear window defogger doesn't work)
I thought it was a problem with the switch and tried replacing it. But
I see the same problem even after replacing the switch.

I've checked the fuses and the relay and they seem fine. How should I
proceed further to troubleshoot? I'm guessing that there is no power
to the heating elements in the rear window since the switch does not
remain on at all. What gives with the switch?

Also, noticed that with no power connected, the defogger switch does
not remain depressed in the ON position. Is that normal behavior? The
other switches on the panel do remain depressed even if there is no
power.

> Also, noticed that with no power connected, the defogger switch does
> not remain depressed in the ON position. Is that normal behavior? The
> other switches on the panel do remain depressed even if there is no
> power.

Often times the switch is a momentary type, you press it like a door
bell button and get 10 - 15 minutes of defogger. Does the switch have an
indicator light? If so, does it light up?

Measure the voltage between the terminals on each side of the window.
You should see battery voltage when the defogger is on. If you do get
voltage, proceed to measure the voltage between one terminal and the
middle of one of the defogger traces on the window. You should find
voltages ranging from 0V to full battery voltage (about 6 - 7V in the
middle of the window) depending in where you measure. If you don't (i.e.
see only 0V or full battery voltage) you probably have a broken trace on
the window. Be careful while measuring so you do not scratch the traces.
They are pretty fragile.

Could someone point me to the location of the relay for the rear
window defogger? I'm not sure which one it is.

Thanks.

sabys@hotmail.com (Saby) wrote in message news:<84c0bcc5.0401051529.7767fc77@posting.google. com>...
> The rear window defogger switch on my 91 Acura Integra does not remain
> depressed. (and the rear window defogger doesn't work)
> I thought it was a problem with the switch and tried replacing it. But
> I see the same problem even after replacing the switch.
>
> I've checked the fuses and the relay and they seem fine. How should I
> proceed further to troubleshoot? I'm guessing that there is no power
> to the heating elements in the rear window since the switch does not
> remain on at all. What gives with the switch?
>
> Also, noticed that with no power connected, the defogger switch does
> not remain depressed in the ON position. Is that normal behavior? The
> other switches on the panel do remain depressed even if there is no
> power.

This probably won't help you much, but in my '94 Civic it is in the
under-hood fusebox.

Saby wrote:
>
> Could someone point me to the location of the relay for the rear
> window defogger? I'm not sure which one it is.
>
> Thanks.
>
> sabys@hotmail.com (Saby) wrote in message news:<84c0bcc5.0401051529.7767fc77@posting.google. com>...
> > The rear window defogger switch on my 91 Acura Integra does not remain
> > depressed. (and the rear window defogger doesn't work)
> > I thought it was a problem with the switch and tried replacing it. But
> > I see the same problem even after replacing the switch.
> >
> > I've checked the fuses and the relay and they seem fine. How should I
> > proceed further to troubleshoot? I'm guessing that there is no power
> > to the heating elements in the rear window since the switch does not
> > remain on at all. What gives with the switch?
> >
> > Also, noticed that with no power connected, the defogger switch does
> > not remain depressed in the ON position. Is that normal behavior? The
> > other switches on the panel do remain depressed even if there is no
> > power.

Randolph <trash@junkmail.com> spake unto the masses in
news:3FFA4DED.A9DAB650@junkmail.com:

> This probably won't help you much, but in my '94 Civic it is in the
> under-hood fusebox.
>
> Saby wrote:
>>
>> Could someone point me to the location of the relay for the rear
>> window defogger? I'm not sure which one it is.


On the '91 Integra it's behind the driver's footwell side kick panel. There
are four at the top:
Upper front - Fog light
Upper rear - Sunroof
Lower front - Power window
Lower rear - Rear defroster

There is also a defroster timer circuit in the Integrated Control Unit
behind that same fuse block. If it is defective, the switch will not stay
down. If you hold the switch down by hand and the defroster works that way,
then the timer circuit may be bad.

A wreckers should have the Integrated Control Unit.

The manual also has diagnostics procedures for the defroster components. I
can send scans of the relevant pages to you.

--
TeGGeR®

Thanks.
No, the indicator light on the switch does not light up even if I
manually keep the switch pressed.
I'll try measuring the voltage between the terminals while manually
keeping the switch pressed.

> Often times the switch is a momentary type, you press it like a door
> bell button and get 10 - 15 minutes of defogger. Does the switch have an
> indicator light? If so, does it light up?
>
> Measure the voltage between the terminals on each side of the window.

Thanks Tegger. I would appreciate if you could send me scans of the
relvant pages. The address is sabysathotmaildotcom.

"Tegger?" <teggeratistopdotcom@changetheobvious.invalid> wrote in message news:<Xns94686772BBD4Bteggeratistop@207.14.113.17> ...
> The manual also has diagnostics procedures for the defroster components. I
> can send scans of the relevant pages to you.

sabys@hotmail.com (Saby) spake unto the masses in
news:84c0bcc5.0401070959.263bde72@posting.google.c om:

> Thanks Tegger. I would appreciate if you could send me scans of the
> relvant pages. The address is sabysathotmaildotcom.


Files sent.

Hope they help.

--
TeGGeR®

Thanks for sending across the files. They are very helpful... need to
start diagnosing.


"Tegger®" <teggeratistopdotcom@changetheobvious.invalid> wrote in message > Files sent.
>
> Hope they help.

The defogger switch, fuses and the relay checked out fine. Going
through the troubleshooting chart, I need to inspect two other
items... Poor ground G301 G401 and open circuit in wires. Would it be
possible to point me to the location of G301 and G401? When it refers
to the open circuit in wires, which wires need to be checked?

I know its difficult without a circuit diagram... I probably need to
get a hold of the factory manual.


sabys@hotmail.com (Saby) wrote in message news:<84c0bcc5.0401080959.412b350d@posting.google. com>...
> Thanks for sending across the files. They are very helpful... need to
> start diagnosing.