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I've been meaning to do this for the past week and kept forgetting. Remembered today, finally. Took me 10 minutes, and that included going back into the house to get a piece of foam rubber and electrical tape so I could secure the now-unplugged connector in a rattle-free manner. This mod is fast and easy and wwaaayyyy worthwhile. Thanks fellow fitfreaks!
Just did this mod, my first to my Fit. KPS' pictorial made it absolutely simple.
Where I live, there is near-constant high humidity and cool or cold temperatures, so the HVAC spends a lot of time in defrost mode. I really only want the AC on when actively removing fog or frost from the windshield; I don't need it when I'm keeping the windshield from fogging. So this is a really useful mod for me. Thanks again!
I want to do this mod. I was able to take out the lower glove box and stick my head far enough in to see where I need to go. It looks like if I can take the radio out I can get to the plug. Only problem is I don't know how to take it out. From the top glove box it looks like there's a hole that I can maybe use to pry the cover off, but I really don't want to screw something up. Can someone help me get started or explain how to get the radio out? If there's a better way to do this mod, I'm all ears. btw I have a 2010 model, so the knobs are layed out differently than shown in this thread.
I want to do this mod. I was able to take out the lower glove box and stick my head far enough in to see where I need to go. It looks like if I can take the radio out I can get to the plug. Only problem is I don't know how to take it out. From the top glove box it looks like there's a hole that I can maybe use to pry the cover off, but I really don't want to screw something up. Can someone help me get started or explain how to get the radio out? If there's a better way to do this mod, I'm all ears. btw I have a 2010 model, so the knobs are layed out differently than shown in this thread.
Yes it does. And it is a PITA IMO. Follow the instructions in the file linked to above to get the radio out. Be sure to use a magnetic screwdriver so you don't lose the screw like I did. You don't have to disconnect any cables. Just rotate the radio towards the windshield and lay it on the dash. Fits very nice. Then you have to take out the plastic section below that has the three knobs. There's one screw to remove. You have to take it all of the way off so that you can get to the switch on the left side by the steering wheel. Did I say PITA? You don't have to disconnect any cables, but you do have to get the cover all of the way off to get to the switch. Pull off the whole white plastic switch connector. Once you do that you're good to go. Give yourself at least an hour if you haven't done something like this before. The hardest part is getting that lower piece out.
Rear defrost light or rear defrost itself not working?
I currently have a 09' Fit Sport w/ Navi. ive noticed that the rear defrost light doesnt turn on when rear defrost is activated. how can i tell if its the switch, light bulb, or the actual rear defrost not working?
I currently have a 09' Fit Sport w/ Navi. ive noticed that the rear defrost light doesnt turn on when rear defrost is activated. how can i tell if its the switch, light bulb, or the actual rear defrost not working?
Welcome, it will be easiest to test the defroster and you'll need a multimeter set to the DC volts scale. Turn on the defroster and very gently touch the right and left edges of the defroster with the test probes or if you can see the actual connector you can touch there too and you should see up to 12v on the meter. If you don't want to get a multimeter you can try just turning on the defroster and hold a cup or pan if steaming water near it so the steam fogs the window. If the fog dissipates around the lines then the defroster works and the switch light is burned out.
This job was a bit more technical than I would have liked. Remove all the dash components to get the the temperature control system. Take the temperature control knob off using the Philips screws on the back. Do the same for the vent selector knob. Locate the switch in the photos. Good luck!
Bottom left corner of the vent selector Top left view of switch with wire clip (top) and the switch (lower) circled and switch bolts with arrows Lower view of disconnected switch and arrows to the bolts
