Hello Team,
I have searched this site and many others regarding the rear window defroster not working on my 2013 F150 Lariat. I've seen allot of information about glass breaking when it does work, but very little on not working. Also, many people experiencing the same issue but little resolve outside of warranty and replacing the whole glass assembly.
Do any of you have any information as to common issues with the rear defroster not working?. When the button is pushed the light will not illuminate and the heat does not work. At one point I pushed the button so many times I finally got the indicator in the switch to merely flicker , but still no defrost.

Thanks in advance

 

I seem to recall some technique to bypass the rear defrost, using some jumper connection behind the rear passenger side seat where the connection goes to the rear defroster.
I have not done it, but if mine goes bad again (got the rear window replaced under warranty awhile back on my 2012), I'm going to try it.


It should be in some of the discussion you've read.

 

 

That could mean the switch is no good.

 

If you pull both wires off the lower right corner of the rear window and jumper them together you'll get the indicator lamp back and the mirrors will heat. Just no rear window heat. How ever you jump the wires together, insulate it so it doesn't short against the back wall.

 

Are you sure the rear window isn't just unplugged? Lots of us have unplugged the rear window to avoid glass explosions. The harness is behind the rear passenger seat.

 

The easier way to deactivate the rear window heat is to disconnect the ground wire under the trim on the lower drivers side corner of the glass. I did that and my mirror heat still works.

 

I did that too BUT, if the slider contacts are already bad you won't get an indicator lamp. In this case, if you want the lamp working again, pull the two right-side wires and jump them together. If the window is still functional and you're disconnecting it preemptively, pulling the ground is the simple solution.

 

My rear window defrost just quit for the 3rd time. I've had the glass replaced twice but this is getting ridiculous. Does anyone know why this is happening? I did find if I pushed the button the mirror defrost still seemed to work but not the indicator light. I may try jumping the wires as previously posted, but I'd really like the darn think to continue working. My truck is a 2011. Is there any real "FIX" to this problem other than buying new glass?

 

How do you know the issue isn't with the switch?

 

I am still able to get the mirror heaters to work. I didn't think they were but we went out on a dreary day and I wished that it hadn't quit working so I pushed the button once, just to make sure it wasn't something temporary, and the mirrors cleared. There was no light on the switch and the rear window stayed foggy. Also, this is the third time this has happened and it's been the rear window both other times.