rear demister problems

[stuartdean]

Hi guys im having a problem with my rear demister not working ive checked the fuse on the side of the dash and they seem ok and the switch is lighting up when pushed. When i tinted the rear windows i did knock off the connector but have re soldered it back on but its still not working. Any help would be very much appreciated.
Stu the newbie

[Rifleman]

Have you checked the feed at the window connectors with a volt meter?
This will tell you if it is the connections or something further up the car.

[stuartdean]

Ive got a digital multi meter but not sure what setting to put ut on. Any suggestions or pics would be good. Thanks

[stuartdean]

Yep have power to both sides 8.1 on the left and 9.1 on the right. Would it be a relay ??

[DarrenH_2.2]

voltage both sides means electricity flowing through the heater elements?

[stuartdean]

I am getting the hump now. Ive worked out the current is running through but now the switch has packed up. And now i have no bloody spark to the engine. I think the crankshaft sensor has gone. Anyone know where i can get a cheap one for my 3.2 v6 limited? ??

[snapper]

Sensor no, but back to the original issue, one side of the element I would be expecting to find between 12 to 12.5 volts (depending on battery strength/condition) this would be the element supply, the other side nowt because that should be grounded. Anything different points to dry joints. Low voltage on the supply theres a dry or loose joint in the cableing from the fuse - relay - element side of the circuit and a voltage on the other side look to a dry joint on the earth path from the element to the earth connection, your getting a lower voltage here because of the volt drop across the element and your meter is making a better circuit to ground than the original earth path.

To check the element undo both connections, set the meter to ohms (resistance) and look for a resistance between the two connectors on the element (this is your reference resistance reading). You can get individual parts of the element fail and to check these just repeat the test with the probes at each end of the element section, your looking for a lower reading than the first reference reading if theres a break then the reading will be pretty much the same as the reference reading.

Repairs to the element can be carried out using conductive paint, usually silver in colour. Maplins sell it

[stuartdean]

Thanks I'll check it out tomorrow. I've sorted a sensor out now,had to buy a patented part as vauxhall wanted £108 inc vat. Bought a patented part for £24 massive difference. For reference if anyone should need it the original part number is 97136125 and the patented one I've purchased is 215-399. I even tried honda and because the honda acura isn't made over here the cant get it or so they say... even isuzu were crap.

[stuartdean]

Finally got the demister sorted after all the hassle it was a faulty switch. Now does anyone know where the crankshaft sensor is located on my 3.2 v6 fronty ???

[Folgossa]

Hello friend
Glad to hear you got your demister sorted.
I believe the crankshaft sensor is mounted towards the front of the engine beside the oil filter - then the wire snakes up over the rear of the engine to plug in behind the n/s cylinder bank.
Oddly enough, I'm looking for a new sensor for my V6 and have been quoted almost £150 inc vat (!) by my local factors and can't find one much cheaper online - I wonder if you could tell me where you got one so reasonably..?
Cheers
Adam