Repair rear defrost relay?

tknowles

Thanks for the great instructions on repairing/reinforcing the main engine relay. I'll get on that right away...

I was wondering if anyone has tried a similar repair with the rear defrost relay. I found a used one but it doesn't work either - I suspect this is a common problem? Last I checked new ones are still available, but don't want to give up $60 if I can fix the old ones.

Muchas Gracias

tknowles

Got the cap off the relay. Was all corroded inside. Uh, oh yeah, I'm supposed to be some kind of chem major... Copper oxide and iron oxide...plus baking soda = some kind of gas and stuff.
Soaked it in warm baking soda, used a toothbrush after 10 min with more baking soda, rinsed, dried quickly with hair dryer, cap on, tape crack, install and...
It works! Yeah wago geeks, now we're rolling!

oldschoolimport

Ya gotta love it when chemistry classes become useful.

moebiius

Please tell me you took pictures? When you describe All the steps, please elaborate so this can be helpful to the people with the same problem as you. I'm not but being curious, I'd like to know exactly what you did so I will be able to accomplish what you have. great job by the way! Chem does pay off lol

H_civic66

As I put in the title I am wondering where this thing is? I have searched and searched but keep reading the same posts. Button lights up all the grids seem good so want to check for corrision. Any help is awesome thanks.

Layspeed

In my '90 wagon, it's located at the underdash fuse box...which is located under the steering column. The relay could be corroded and fallen apart inside too, so you might want to open it up and take a peek. Seen it happen to a friend of mine.

SiWagon

You're not looking for a typical relay.It's a whole wiper "ECU" unit.

Layspeed.Congrads on getting a 4th gen Wgn.

H_civic66

It was the relay...Fixed...

Layspeed

SiWagon wrote:

You're not looking for a typical relay.It's a whole wiper "ECU" unit.

Layspeed.Congrads on getting a 4th gen Wgn.

Thanks SiWagon, always said I was going to get one and the price was just right A bit rusty but it he gets me to work and back. It's a he, my kids named him "Pepe" pronounced Peh-Peh like the Looney Toons skunk.

H_civic66 wrote:

It was the relay...Fixed...

Awesome! So was it where I said it was. Just wanted to confirm, the info might help someone else later if they search for it. Mind sharing what was wrong with it?

H_civic66

Yea it was under the steering wheel in the fuse panel. I pulled it out and it looked like it had been chewed on and thrown against a wall.lol. called napa and they brought a new one for 6 bucks and it good.