I'd like to disable my rear window defroster but keep my heated mirrors. Reason being I don't won't my rear window to explode when I turn it on. I have a 2011 bought a couple of months ago. Could I pull the fuse and still have the mirrors on? I rarely use the back window as I use to side mirrors. Drive a 18 wheeler for a living.

 

I'll bet you can unplug at the rear window.

 

Is the plug buried somewhere or the seat needed to come out?

 

The seat back folds down. Then you have to pull the rear backing on the wall which is held in place by the trim and a few trim clips at the bottom. The plug for the defrost is on the passenger side. To get the seat back to fold down there is a pin that you pull up on to release it. There are youtube videos.

 

Of course, you could probably pull a fuse. I don't know which one though. I added the power sliding and defrosting rear window but I know to get the defrost to work I had to add a fuse. I didn't knowing the issues that people were having.

 

The fuse sounds easier. If I pulled the fuse, would the switch still activate the heated mirrors?

 

Try pulling the #32 fuse under the hood.

 

I have my rear window unplugged, however with it unplugged my mirrors do not work. The light will not even illuminate on the defrost switch

 

Great. Has anybody else have any luck with pulling the fuse or done something else so the mirrors can heat without my window exploding? I'm going to give the fuse idea a shot later today.

 

Open the rear window a fraction of an inch, the contact will be broken. May or may not be too much to keep the weather out. Just a thought. The window has to be fully closed for the defroster to work.

 

The reports of broken windows from the defroster are few and far between.

I think you have a solution in search of a problem.

I'd just use it and not worry about it.

 

Going to have to disagree on that. That's just a few.
Exploding rear window - Ford F150 Forum - Community of Ford Truck Fans

NHTSA Receives More Complaints of Shattering F-150 Back Lites | glassBYTEs.com

https://www.reddit.com/r/Trucks/comm...use_your_rear/

 

I think you've been reading too much.

I never said it doesn't happen, it has been happening since they invented the rear window defroster.

Your NHTSA link supports my "few and far between" 30 owners does not qualify as a widespread problem.

If you are worried about it, just unplug the darn thing at the rear window.

Kinda makes you wonder how your window has survived this long, though, don't you think? I'm guessing the PO used I without reservation. Do you suppose it is more prone to breaking now that you own it?

My guess is if it was going to break it would have already done so sometime in the last 4 years. And I that were the case, then the problem is already fixed and you are wasting your time and energy fixing a problem you don't have.

Just my opinion, your mileage might vary, it's your truck do as you wish.

 

I bought the truck with 12,800 on it. I know the PO and never used it because of the problem. Low miles because the PO lost the physical ability to drive and never sold it until now. Not relevant to the post but never the less. Not everybody reports to the NHTSA. A lot of people do go these forums and a lot have said the same thing. More then 30 and through out the years. You said it does happen and has happen since invented. Actually since they been using the vendor of the glass that now has been changed. This is from Ford. I do read a lot. I'll agree maybe too much. I'm not looking to get into a pissing match ether so I'll just unplug the darn thing as you suggested. That way I won't have to wonder if and when.

 

Maybe I missed this, but if you unplug the rear defrost, will the heated mirrors still get heat ? I realize it might not matter to some folks, but I'd like to know (in case my rear defrost stops working because of the "sliding door circuit not closed" deal - I'd much rather unplug something than spend $600 plus to replace the rear defrost)