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Heat Wire Inspection

CAUTION: When wiping off the stain on glass with cloth, use a dry and soft cloth and move it in the direction of the heat wire extension to avoid damage to the heat wire.
  1. Prepare the following checking items.
    • Liquid crystal thermograph sheet (approximate size: 300 x 300 mm (11.8 x 11.8 in) and thermal temperature: 35 - 40°C (95 - 104°F))
    • Aluminum foil
  2. Turn the ignition switch to ON.
  3. Turn the defogger switch to ON.
  4. Push the liquid crystal thermograph sheet from the outside of the glass.
    NOTE: Use the liquid crystal thermograph sheet every range it is separated with the separate line.
    G13953378Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  5. Determine the faulty heat wire by checking the color of the liquid crystal thermograph sheet.
    NOTE:
    • Check from the inside of the rear window glass or the rear gate glass if the response of liquid crystal thermograph sheet is not good.
    • The time for the color change may differ depends on the surface temperature of the glass.
    Liquid crystal thermograph sheet Criteria
    Change occurred (red → blue) Normal
    No change (black) Open
  6. Wrap a piece of aluminum foil around the tip of tester probe and press it against the heat wire with your finger.
    G13953379Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  7. To both ends of the section that has been found to include an open in the step 5), apply the tester positive (+) probe and the negative (-) probe.
  8. Move the tester probe on the negative (-) side slowly along the heat wire. If voltage changes from zero while moving the tester probe, heat wire is open at the voltage change point.
    G13953380Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  9. Repair the heat wire that determines the place of the open circuit. Ref. to GLASS/WINDOW/MIRRORS>REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER SYSTEM>REPAIR .