Rear glass antenna attachment wire (was "Defroster wire")

[B 4 You]

So as I was removing the headliner I found that the upper defroster wire was completely disconnected. I never noticed because it was tucked above the headliner.



How do in repair this? I currently have it wrapped in electrical tape in case I need to use the defroster. Do I simply solder it back up there to where it was before?

[icingdeath88]

How does one solder upward?

http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/b70c/

[dannmarr]

Originally Posted by icingdeath88

How does one solder upward?

http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/b70c/

You will need to put solder on the wire and try to transfer solder from the soldering iron tip onto the contacts. Once you have both sides with some solder hold both pieces together and apply heat. If you have enough solder on both pieces they should bond together.

[SURTEESS]

place something like wodden board under soldering area - you don't want solder melting anything if it "drips" off.....

As for the carbon "solder-less" glue I would worry about what sort of voltage drop/heating of contact you will get when you turn on the unit???

Try to find a silver or copper loaded carbon glue - less resistance = less volt drop = less heat across joint. (you could try mixing this yourself?).

Asahi Chemical company makes various types like this for electronics industry....I have used them in a previous company for making tracks on plastic printed circuit boards.

(you could ask for a sample pot).

[davew833]

Just so you know, that's not a defroster wire, there's actually an FM antenna grid in the top portion of the rear window and that's where that wire goes. Mine came off too and I think I re-soldered it without too much trouble.

[icingdeath88]

Originally Posted by SURTEESS

place something like wodden board under soldering area - you don't want solder melting anything if it "drips" off.....

As for the carbon "solder-less" glue I would worry about what sort of voltage drop/heating of contact you will get when you turn on the unit???

Try to find a silver or copper loaded carbon glue - less resistance = less volt drop = less heat across joint. (you could try mixing this yourself?).

Asahi Chemical company makes various types like this for electronics industry....I have used them in a previous company for making tracks on plastic printed circuit boards.

(you could ask for a sample pot).

I used the exact stuff that I linked, it works fine. If there's a voltage drop, it still works plenty well. But, yea, for something that requires precise voltage or whatever, I would use something better. I couldn't figure out a safe way to solder it myself, but the wire glue was pretty easy.

[B 4 You]

Originally Posted by davew833

Just so you know, that's not a defroster wire, there's actually an FM antenna grid in the top portion of the rear window and that's where that wire goes. Mine came off too and I think I re-soldered it without too much trouble.

That makes perfect sense. It totally skipped my mind that we have an antennae back there. My radio signal sucks (like I ever use it). I'll try using that glue stuff.

[SURTEESS]

Yes the antenna wire should be fine with carbon compound - for higher currents you would need to use different type of material, something like this -

http://www.flex007.com/pages/zone.cgi?a=92775

[theflystyle]

So did certain models come with the antenna in the glass?

[Tim]

I believe all models use diversity antennas, one in the glass and one externally.