How to Service a Rear-Window Defogger in a VW Jetta

Introduced in 1966 by Volvo, the rear-window defogger allows you to see out the rear window of the vehicle in cold weather, and melts snow and ice. Increasingly popular, it's now available for most cars, including the VW Jetta. You can identify and repair most problems with the rear-window defogger in a Jetta in less than 1/2 hour.

Instructions

1

Locate the fuse box within the front cabin. It's located under the steering wheel. Use your fingers to remove the defogger fuse, labeled S26 and should be 25 amps. Hold the fuse up to the light to check if the metal plate inside is broken or blown. If it is, replace it. Check both sides of the fuse connection in the box with a voltmeter.

2

Examine the tab connections on the rear-window defogger. If either side is no longer attached to the window, sand the flat back side of the tab with sandpaper from the repair kit until the back is smooth. Use the enclosed conductive adhesive to glue the back of the tab to the rear window on the wide line on the grid on the side of the rear window.

3

Look over the lines in the grid on the rear window. If there are any scratches or gaps in the lines, remove the wax paper from the back of the stencil in the repair kit. Line the stencil up with the grid, and stick it to the interior of the rear window. Paint the stencil with the conductive paint in the repair kit.

4

Test the rear-window defogger in the Jetta. If there's still a problem, take it to a professional to examine the wiring running between the fuse box and the defogger.