Ok the rear window defroster works fine, but the two windows on the side don't defrost at all. has anyone else had this problem? I think its time to talk to the dealer

 

Would you happen to be referring to the wires in the two rear most windows? If so, those aren't defrosters. Those are your your radio antenna.

 

Hmmmm, did you notice the lack of an antenna on your XB? And you've got something that looks like defrosters in your side windows. Most people could put this one together. But you'd better go talk to the dealer. Ask him what those black round things in the wheelwells are too.

 

 

:oops: :oops:

I thought the same thing RFX did.

LMAO

 

That would be a normal first assumption. I thought that too until I noticed each side was different. Then I check the manual.

I wouldn't think that would be a normal assumption. I've never seen a car with an antenna in a rear glass. I know Chevrolet used to have some in the windshield. I don't think your heckling is appropriate.

 

There are a lot of cars with antennae in the rear glass. Our Honda Pilot has it.

 

Actually, it seems like there are 2 wires on one side that are the antenna. And the rest look like they are for a defroster. If you trace the wires, you notice that some of them go back to a little black square... The SAME ones found on the rear defroster... Take a look...

 

the little square is called an antenna amplifier it draws power from the deforster circuit to amplify the ability to recieve radio signals, not is doesn't get better when defroster is on, it is constantly powered up when car is on.

 

refer to my sig for any questions.

 

what a smart @$$ LOL

 

They've been doing it for years -- especially imports -- being a tinter -- we noticed the FM antenna's started getting printed on glass maybe 10 years ago or so. AM's have been in glass (windsheilds usually) for several decades

 

You have the advantage of working on many different cars daily. I don't work on cars so I only have exposure to the things I drive or ride in and that's mostly been American cars and trucks.

 

I know I know .. that's kinda why I added "being a tinter" ... to sorta explain WHY we'd have noticed it so long ago... just cause it's kinda our job ... a little 'explanation' included in there so I didn't seem like an ___ just 'cause I could say 'well neener-neener, i saw it before you!' ... I probably wouldn't have noticed it either had my career not originally revolved around glass.

 

i think not....
the defroster circuit is a switched power circuit.....
the little black square it a wire to glass connector (it is meant to be removable if the glass needs repairing)

it gets the power from the radio harness...(power ant.)
it is often why when people swap radios they loose reception (they don't hook up the power ant wires, 'cause they don't see a power ant.)

now for the smart ___ question...
what car (or other vehicle) has a lined defroster on side windows????
none that i know of...

 

While we are on this subject has anyone found a way to improve reception, other than satellite radio. I was getting great reception with the factory stereo but when I switched it became pretty crappy. I do have the power antenna wire hooked up. I'm even using a Pioneer unit and they make the factory unit so one might reasonably assume that the tuners would be similar.

Thanks!

 

wow some poeple on here get pretty excited with their keyboard courage

brent

 

Chadfo I noticed the same exact thing and I actually read a thread on it here somewhere a week or so ago and it seems everyone has the same issue. I traded in my old Sony deck with my old box and I am staying stock this time around, I would say the drop in reception was about 30% when I went from stock to the sony last time and it was not some cheap $29 Urban Audioworks (remember those) it was a pretty decent sony.

 

key board or not, i would have said it to you in person...

anyway my experience was after swapping out the factory stero for an aftermarket pioneer, i lost about 50% in reception...
hooked up the power ant. wire and now i have better than stock reception...

 

what did you hook it up to, and where would I find this power ant. wire?