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Hi everyone. I'm new and have a 2003 civic EX coupe. Some idiot rear ended
me with only 180 miles on the car. $3300 damage but mainly rear tire and underneath damage. It has been repaired and running fine. My question has to do with the rear window defroster. I turn it on and it seems to do nothing. My problem is that since I have little experience with the car, I don't know whether it is just poor design or maybe the accident did something. I mean I don't see the heat lines across the window I'm used to seeing in previous cars I've owned. The window will eventually clear avter about 20 min. but I'm sure it from the heater air moving around in the car. What are your rear window defrosters like?

 
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Mine usually gets noticeable results after 5 minutes or so, sometimes less. Actually when it's just fogged up, and there's no ice or anything, I can see the lines going across in less than a minute. You should take it in and get it checked out if it takes 20 minutes to defrost.

 
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try this...turn on your defroster for a good 10mins-20mins... let the car warm up. put your palm on the outside of the rear window and feel the horizontal lines...if it it warm then you're fine. nothing to worry about. But if it's cold, then you have a problem. take it back to the dealer if you are afraid to mess around with the car. Technically, I would test both ends connectors with a meter to see if there is electricity running through. This is two cents to you.

 
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You should get an appraisal for Diminution of Value which will basically say that your civic was worth $16k before the accident and now is only worth $12k because you have to disclose all history of accidents before any sale. Then take the appraisal and sue the person that hit you in small claims court to recover your loss.

 
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My defroster never worked. so i checked the output at the terminals that connect to the window, and guess what, no power. so i took it to the dealer and they connected some connection and it began working again. But i was the same way you are, i have owned vehicles with rear defrosters before and they are usually pretty quick, within a few minutes you can begin to see the window defrosting. i recommend you take your car to the dealer, or to the place that did your repairs. they should make sure the wiring harness is fully connected to the power source.