Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Bus Bar/Antenna Terminal Repair
- Buff the repair area with fine steel wool. This will remove the oxide coating formed during window manufacturing.
- Apply paste-type rosin flux in small quantities to the rear defogger bus bar lead wire, antenna or defogger terminal repair area using a brush.
- Coat the solder iron tip with solder. Use only enough heat to melt the solder and only enough solder to ensure a complete repair.
- Apply solder to the bus bar.
Draw the soldering iron tip across the fluxed area thinly coating bus bar with solder.
- Apply a small amount of flux to the underside of the rear defogger bus bar lead wire, antenna or defogger terminal.
- Apply solder to the underside of the rear defogger bus bar lead wire, antenna or defogger terminal.
Draw the soldering iron tip across the fluxed area thinly coating the wire or terminal with solder.
Important: Do not overheat the terminal when soldering it to the bus bar. Soldering iron tip temperature should be just enough to melt the solder allowing the solder to run freely. The iron should be in contact with the bus bar for as short a time as possible.
- Apply heat to the top of the rear defogger bus bar lead wire antenna and/or defogger terminal, causing the solder spot to melt and fuse together.
- Use pliers to hold the rear defogger bus bar lead wire, antenna or defogger terminal.
- Holding force should not be removed until the solder has solidified.
- Solder the wire or terminal to the bus bar.
- Wipe off any excess flux.
- Connect the electrical connector.
NO RELATED
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.