In this case, the tab fell of leaving all but a tiny part of the substrate.
Interestingly, there was little sign of solder on the substrate or the tab.
Looking at the other tab, still attached, there is a very noticeable bead of
solder between the substrate and tab. Not so on the one that fell off.
It fell off in the middle of last winter. The truck had not transported
anything larger than bags of groceries all winter and it had worked at the
start of winter. It is only driven on city streets in Michigan. (Not
California-smooth, but not pot-hole city either.) I have NEVER had a tab
come off before this as far back as my hard riding '73 Capri. Noticed it was
broken when I heard the flexible wire with tab attached rattling against the
rear glass and/or roof pillar.
I think it was just a poor solder joint that eventually weakened and fell
off.
Have you ever had luck fixing this with conducting epoxy? I'm tempted to
give it a try with the FrostFighter product. Nothing to lose.
- GRL
Post by n***@sny.der.on.caPost by GRLI blame GM because the reason the tab fell off is that it was poorly
attached by GM or whoever they bought the window from. If you look at where
the tab is located, you will see that it is near impossible for a person to
damage the tab. It is up high and at the extreme outer part of the window
well away from potential cargo damage. The only one who has ever driven the
truck is me and I never got near the tab with anything...until it fell off.
I will refrain from answering you in kind, since you clearly speak from
total ignorance.
-GRL
In 35 years as a mechanic - and that goes back to before the inception
of heated rear window glass, I have NEVER seen a tab fail due to poor
quality of the glass/grid. I HAVE seen problems with the workmanship
of the soldering on of the tab, but in that case, the tab falls off
without damaging the substrate. There is only ONE thing that will
remove the tab and substrate together, and that is PHYSICAL DAMAGE.
That can be caused by cleaning the window - or too much unsupported
cable hanging out and SEVERE vibration.
"Don't confuse me with facts, my mind's already made up"
Post by GRL.
Post by GrayfoxPost by GRLThe contact tab on one side of the rear hatch window on my 2000 Yukon XL
came off last winter at 28,000 miles. (More GMC quality construction at
work.) The tab took a little of the conducting substrate with it from the
glass.
-replace the entire rear glass for $700 plus labor (you can imagine what
I had to say about GM when I got that price) or try to find a good used
rear window for half that
-have a glass shop try to solder the tab back on (I understand that this
risks shattering the glass if it is over-heated)
-use a conductive epoxy to put the tab back on
My question is, has anyone successfully tried the second and third
options and has anyone tried them without success?
- GRL
It's interesting how quick you are to blame GM build-quality for this
problem. These tabs normally come off because the dumb-ass owner or his
spouse or kids are careless and break them when putting in cargo!!! You
break it - buy a new one cheapskate! If you can't afford to service your
vehicle, buy something you can afford to maintain, maybe a Kia or a Hyundai!