Rear Window defrost

-
JoeSBP

JoeSBP

RLTW!
FABO Gold Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2015
Messages
1,231
Reaction score
796
Location
NC
Gents,

I have a 69 Valiant and I’m wanting(needing) the ability to defog/frost the rear window. I know this was an option on these cars, but I really don’t care about keeping it original. I just need it to work well. Anybody retrofitted something to work better than the factory system?
 
Yes, the factory system just blows air. We used to install a retrofit kit years back. It was a self adhesive grid wiring and switch that worked as well as the in glass grid. I can't seem to find one now though.
 
Last edited:
toolmanmike said:
Let me go check the one I have in storage.
Click to expand...
By golly you're right. But the coil is a resistor. It's a coil about a inch and a half long and a bit bigger than a pencil. I never saw that in there before.
 
Last edited:
Some time ago I remember looking at that coil and also thinking it was a heating coil. But I'm pretty sure it is only the resistor that allows for motor to go to a lower speed (in conjunction with the 2-speed switch). On DC motors they switch in resistors to change the fan speed.
Adding a little heater to the airstream would have helped.

Toolmanmike's first comment that factory system just blows air is correct.
 
Last edited:
Do all years just blow cabin air?
 
Good question. Possibly in some of the later years they may have put a heater in. But soon after came the heater grids in the window, and then it wasn't necessary.
 
Last edited:
g413 said:
Some time ago I remember looking at that coil and also thinking it was a heating coil. But I'm pretty sure it is only the resistor that allows for motor to go to a lower speed (in conjunction with the 2-speed switch). On DC motors they switch in resistors to change the fan speed.
Adding a little heater to the airstream would have helped.

Toolmanmike's first comment that factory system just blows air is correct.
Click to expand...

A resistor shouldn't glow red as the one here does. It gets hot enough that warm air passes through the vent.

I haven't checked to see what year it is. I don't even remember the A-body it originally comes from, I pulled it from a '72 Duster I parted out.
 
JoeSBP said:
Do all years just blow cabin air?
Click to expand...

Yes all years just blow cabin air. I had one in my 68 Barracuda when I lived in Iowa. Works pretty lousy.

In 75/76? They offered a grid heating element rear window in Darts and possibly Duster/Dart-Sports. Pretty rare part.

I’ve seen the Darts ones for sale here in the past.
 
Give me a minute, I'm uploading a video to You tube.
 
I would call it a defogger and not a defroster. Low speed goes through the resistor. (of course) If it does glow after being on low speed it may add a little heat. There you have it!
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top