If winter comes around and your rear window defogger doesn't seem to be working, you may need to do some at-home service. The rear-window defogger comes standard in any Chevy Impala and is easy to fix with a simple repair kit available at most auto repair retailers. Defogger service is easy to perform at home and should take you less than half an hour.
Service your rear-window defogger when the temperature is 50 degrees F or higher. If the temperature is below 50 F, do your repairs indoors with a space heater.
Locate the electrical tabs for the defogger around the edge of the rear window of your Chevy Impala. Inspect the tabs for any broken wires or apparent defects, and detach if necessary.
Sand the surface of the broken electrical tab lightly using sandpaper. Also sand down the contact surface. Clean both surfaces with alcohol and apply activator fluid.
Allow activator fluid to dry and prepare the adhesive by kneading the packet. Apply adhesive to the electrical tab and hold in place on the contact area for at least 2 minutes until a bond has formed. Allow to dry for 24 hours before using.
Inspect the grid lines for any breaks or damage. If you find a break that needs repairing, prepare it with the alcohol preparation, allow to dry and paint on the conductive paint using the stencil. Again, allow to dry for 24 hours before using the window defogger.
