File in Section:

Service Bulletin

Bulletin No.:
Date:

08 - Body and Accessories
03-08-48-006I
May, 2013

INFORMATION
Subject:

Repair Information for Reconnection of Rear Window (Defogger) Contact or Tab

Models:

2000-2014 GM Passenger Cars and Trucks
2007-2010 Opel GT
2007-2008 Daewoo G2X
Equipped With Electric Rear Window Defroster (RPO C49)

This bulletin is being revised to add model years and update parts information. Please
discard Corporate Bulletin Number 03-08-48-006H (Section 08 – Body and Accessories).

Repair Suggestions
Soldering Defroster Contact Tabs
In many cases the terminal tab will still be in the
connector when you examine the vehicle. For
Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Cadillac
Escalade vehicles (with moveable glass), always
replace the defroster tab (GM P/N 25916031) and the
defroster electrical power connector (P/N 12034110).
For all other vehicles, reconnect the original
defroster tab.
In most applications it is preferable to create a new
solder connection to reattach a separated rear
defroster tab. If you take note of the steps below, it is
possible to create a new solder joint that is equal to, or
stronger than, the original. The generic procedure
below is not very time intensive, but does include minor
preparation work to create a good bonding surface. Be
sure to follow each of the steps, as combined they will
produce the strongest bond possible. Please consider
the following before attempting the repair:
• Soldering introduces significant heat to the glass
window of the vehicle. When performing the
re-connection of the tab, use only the heat
required to do the job. Pre-heat the soldering iron
and have the solder in your other hand, ready to
go, the moment you have enough heat to melt the
solder.
• If it is winter, bring the vehicle into the service
garage and remove any snow from the back
window area. Allow time for the glass to warm to
the temperature inside the building. Soldering
creates a “hot spot” in the glass. DO NOT solder
on cold glass.

Copyright 2013 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Caution: Heating the glass excessively, or repeatedly
without time to cool, may result in glass breakage.
ALWAYS wear safety glasses when performing this
repair!
• You MUST use a silver-bearing solder to make
the connection. DO NOT attempt this repair with
conventional tin/lead alloy solders. Silver bearing
solder will adhere to the electrical buss bar,
making a strong and lasting repair.
• Protect surfaces under the area to be soldered. It
is very easy to drip solder when performing this
repair. Placing a shop towel under the soldering
area is sufficient protection.
Soldering Procedure
1. It is imperative to remove and replace the rear
defroster electrical power connector by crimping a
new connector to the feed wire. The proper
connector P/N 12034110 can be found in the
Packard Electrical Assortment, Tray 18, Position 5.
• Insert Delphi pick 12094430 to depress the
locking tab on the terminal.
• Insert Delphi pick 12094429 to release the
secondary lock tab.
Important: DO NOT re-use the existing defroster tab
on new-style full-size utility vehicles with moveable
glass.
2. Connect the electrical connector to the defroster
tab. Fully engage the connector. An improperly
seated connector may cause excessive resistance
and impede the proper operation of the defroster.
Add a small bead of solder to mate the electrical
connector tab to the defroster tab.

Page 2

May, 2013

Bulletin No.: 03-08-48-006I

4. Wipe the newly prepared contact area with Kent
Automotive* Acrysol™ (or equivalent) to remove
any residual oil or dirt.

2000236

3. Prepare the surface of the used defroster tab (not
required for new tabs on new-style full-size utility
models) and the defroster buss bar with fine grain
(500 grit) sandpaper or Emery cloth. It is not
necessary to remove all of the original solder, but it
should be scuffed sufficiently so that no oxidation
is present. The photo above shows a close up of a
properly prepared surface.
Tip: You may want to mask the glass around the
contact area with tape. This is easy to do and will allow
you to safely prepare the contact surface without the
risk of scratching the glass or the black painted
shading.
Important: Most rear glass has a black painted
masking around the edge of the glass. When cleaning
up the connection surface, be very careful not to
damage the surface of the black shading or the surface
of the glass.

2000229

2000232

2000238

Important: You MUST use a silver-bearing solder to
make the solder joint. DO NOT attempt this repair with
conventional tin/lead alloy solders. Most suppliers
have this type of solder available and it is available
nationally at Radio Shack® (U.S.) or The Source®
(Canada).* It is sold in several diameters and either are
acceptable for this repair.
5. For this step, it is permitted that two technicians be
used if required. Heat the new connector on the
surface of the buss bar that is to be soldered. Long
nose pliers are suggested to hold the electrical
connector and the defroster tab in place. Keep the
solder ready and begin flowing out the solder as
soon as the melting temperature has been
reached.

Bulletin No.: 03-08-48-006I

May, 2013

Tip: If a single technician is attempting this repair, it is
beneficial to wrap one turn of the solder around the new
contacts base. In this manner, as the melting point of
the solder is reached, a layer is deposited on the
bottom side of the contact.
Important: Try to align the new contact so that it is
positioned with the same orientation as the original
contact.

2000227

6. The above illustrates an ideal finished solder joint.
Additional stray solder will not harm the
performance of the bond; however, while it is
unlikely that customers may refer to the
appearance of the rear window defroster and its
components as a positive styling feature of the
vehicle interior, it is easy to elicit the opposite
reaction due to a poor cosmetic application.
*We believe this source and their products to be
reliable. There may be additional manufacturers of
such products/materials. General Motors does not
endorse, indicate any preference for, or assume any

Page 3

responsibility for the products or material from this firm
or for any such items that may be available from other
sources.

Parts Information
Acrysol™ can be ordered directly from Kent Automotive
at 1-800-654-6333 (in Canada, 1-800-563-1717).
Radio Shack® products can be found nationally at retail
locations, www.radioshack.com, or at 1-800-843-7422
(The Source® in Canada, www.thesource.ca, or at
1-866-454-4426).
All other parts can be ordered through CC&A.
Part Number

Description

25916031

Tab, Defroster Power (new-style full-size
utility models)

12034110
(Tray 18,
Position 5)

Rear Defroster Electrical Power Connector
(Packard Electrical Assortment Only)

64-013*

Radio Shack® (The Source® in Canada)
Silver Solder (0.022” dia)

64-026*

Radio Shack® (U.S Only) Silver Solder
(0.062” dia)

P20005*

Kent Automotive Acrysol™ Solvent
(32 fl oz) 946 ml

12377900*
(U.S.)
10953529
(Canada)

GM Vehicle Care Dielectric Lubricant
(2 fl oz)

*or equivalent product

Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:
Labor
Operation
N9577*

Labor
Time

Description
Defroster, Electrical
Connection – Reattach

0.3 hr

*This is a unique labor operation for bulletin use only. It will
not be published in the Labor Time Guide.

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these
technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper
service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a
job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your
vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the
information.

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