Jump to content

Rear window defroster buzzing

Daryl Casey
 Share

Recommended Posts

Daryl Casey Enthusiast

Daryl Casey

Posted
Posted

2020 Sierra SLT

 

This morning I noticed a buzzing noise coming from the rear of the cab. The sound came from the right bottom of the rear window. The buzzing stops when I turned the rear defroster off. Turned the rear defroster back on, the buzzing started again.

 

Has anyone else had, or noticed, this problem? I tried to find a connecter to see if it was loose but couldn't find it.  I don't think it's affected the performance of the defroster, at least not yet. I figure it'll require a trip to my dealership's service department, which I'm not a huge fan of. 

 

Thanks for your time,

DC

 

 

Daryl Casey Enthusiast

Daryl Casey

Posted
  • Author
Posted
24 minutes ago, redwngr said:

I'd be getting it looked at, and I'd avoid using it until after. 

 

 

absolutely.

 

I have disabled the defroster from automatically coming on with remote start and also made an appointment with the local dealership.

S Schultz New Member

S Schultz

Posted
Posted

Would love to know what you find out.  My 2020 RST just just started doing this same thing three days ago.  Same spot too - passenger side right above the rear seat.  Currently have 7000 miles on the truck.  I have only noticed it in the morning when the temp has been about 35 degrees.  Doesn't seem to be doing it later in the day.  No idea if temp has anything to do with it.   

 

If you get yours fixed soon, can you let me know what was found?  I'll get mine in at some point, but it's always a hassle to take it to the dealer!

 

Thanks! 

 

 

Abiker21 Enthusiast

Abiker21

Posted
Posted
On 1/25/2021 at 11:24 AM, Daryl Casey said:

absolutely.

 

I have disabled the defroster from automatically coming on with remote start and also made an appointment with the local dealership.

The buzzing is electricity arcing. Luckily it will be under warranty for you. There is a recall but it only covers vehicles in certain cold weather areas. Canada made GM recall all trucks with the sliding rear windows with defrost. 

  • Like 1
redwngr Senior Enthusiast

redwngr

Posted
Posted
On 1/29/2021 at 11:33 PM, S Schultz said:

Would love to know what you find out.  My 2020 RST just just started doing this same thing three days ago.  Same spot too - passenger side right above the rear seat.  Currently have 7000 miles on the truck.  I have only noticed it in the morning when the temp has been about 35 degrees.  Doesn't seem to be doing it later in the day.  No idea if temp has anything to do with it.   

 

If you get yours fixed soon, can you let me know what was found?  I'll get mine in at some point, but it's always a hassle to take it to the dealer!

 

Thanks! 

 

 

If it's arcing and starts a fire, that will be alot more hassle than taking it in to get repaired....

Abiker21 Enthusiast

Abiker21

Posted
Posted
13 hours ago, redwngr said:

If it's arcing and starts a fire, that will be alot more hassle than taking it in to get repaired....

The arcing can produce a localized heat source and make the window explode. I have video of mine smoking before I pulled the fuse and submitted it to the .gov. They won't reply unless it becomes a recall. 

  • Like 1
DBCasey851 Enthusiast

DBCasey851

Posted
Posted
On 1/29/2021 at 11:33 PM, S Schultz said:

Would love to know what you find out.  My 2020 RST just just started doing this same thing three days ago.  Same spot too - passenger side right above the rear seat.  Currently have 7000 miles on the truck.  I have only noticed it in the morning when the temp has been about 35 degrees.  Doesn't seem to be doing it later in the day.  No idea if temp has anything to do with it.   

 

If you get yours fixed soon, can you let me know what was found?  I'll get mine in at some point, but it's always a hassle to take it to the dealer!

 

Thanks! 

 

 

Will do

Daryl Casey Enthusiast

Daryl Casey

Posted
  • Author
Posted

My dealerships service dept is very backlogged due to a COVID outbreak. Not sure when I'll be able to get my truck in for this issue, but please share what you find out with us here!

S Schultz New Member

S Schultz

Posted
Posted
7 hours ago, Daryl Casey said:

My dealerships service dept is very backlogged due to a COVID outbreak. Not sure when I'll be able to get my truck in for this issue, but please share what you find out with us here!

Well, my dealer can't find anything wrong.  My defroster was buzzing/arcing real bad on Saturday.  That afternoon, I happened to open the rear sliding window.  The problem has not happened again since doing that.  Have you dried cycling your window by chance?  Not even sure that's what caused it, but I had a feeling that's what the dealer would say when I dropped it off.  They couldn't duplicate the problem, and could not locate any service bulletins related to it.  Hopefully it doesn't happen again, but it's documented if it does.  Good luck with yours.

Daryl Casey Enthusiast

Daryl Casey

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I'll definitely give that a try. We've got an ice storm headed our way and the rear defroster would be nice to have! Thanks for the update.

 

  • 4 weeks later...
Bob E New Member

Bob E

Posted
Posted

I had this happen to my 20 RST.  I noticed there was a small leak and there was water coming off the track for the sliding window and running down the glass across the wires.  The wires were really hot.  I assumed it was the water sizzling on the wires because it only did it some of the time.  Dealer took it in and replaced the window.  Just got it back today so i'm hoping that solved it.

 

  • 4 weeks later...
Ed/2020RST Enthusiast

Ed/2020RST

Posted
Posted
On 1/31/2021 at 12:39 PM, Abiker21 said:

The buzzing is electricity arcing. Luckily it will be under warranty for you. There is a recall but it only covers vehicles in certain cold weather areas. Canada made GM recall all trucks with the sliding rear windows with defrost. 

I believe you are 100% correct. There seems to be a conductivity issue. I bet if you look closely at the area the buzzing is coming from a small arc can be seen at night and maybe even a small burnt spot!!!

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • KARNUT
      Missing thrust bearing? And oil selection

      By KARNUT · Posted

      I find it amusing the OP doesn’t realize this threads heading includes several engines. He should have posted in the off topic section if he wanted a more narrow focus. I really appreciate and find amusing that he actually pointed out one of my many vehicles. The Odyssey. That happens to use 0-20 oil. I love pushing his buttons. 
    • Black02Silverado
      Missing thrust bearing? And oil selection

      By Black02Silverado · Posted

      Maybe, but it seems he is the only one that has backed up data to prove what he is stating. I think he is doing this more because he enjoys it and wants to get the information out to us. He's got the knowledge and access to the proper equipment and having the funds doesn't hurt.  I would love to do what he is doing and would do it if and when I hit the Powerball.  I'm not a Tribologist by any means but love to learn what I can.   I would bet there would be doubting people out there if a completely independent lab with high quality work and highly respected in the automotive industry, put out information like this.  The world can't be pleased, one just has to take the information that they are given, do more of their own research to find actual lab data to back up what they are trying to figure/find out.  Most don't bother, they just want to believe what they first see.     I don't have the minimax but my 6.2 in my 2019 Silverado with 64k miles shows excellent UOA results with 0w-20 and for my own purposes 5w-20.  Since not much of a change using 5w. I liked the data sheet information on the SS 5w-20 and figured I would give it a try.  Still the same viscosity at 100℃.   In the end we all just do what makes us happy, life is too short to get upset over trivial social media.   On a side note, I do feel GM has dropped the ball and just cares about the bottom dollar and not quality anymore.  "Like a Rock" has been long gone.  Seems "Built Ford Tough" has as well.
    • Tyler Gibbs
      Thoughts on these wheels?

      By Tyler Gibbs · Posted

      Better than stock but that's like putting lipstick on a pig
    • flattop
      2026 sierra bad brake controller

      By flattop · Posted

      Hello, my 3 month old Sierra Elevation wont recognize a trailer with electric brakes? All the lights work correctly, but no power to the brakes?   This is the factory installed brake controller. If you manually push the knob, the display shows the power % but does not light up like my 2022 silverado.   I have an appointment with the dealer, but was checking to see if anyone else has seen this issue.    Thanks, 
    • Black02Silverado
      Post your latest oil change.

      By Black02Silverado · Posted

      Been using SS 0w-20 from new, but wanted to change to the 5w-20 because I liked the data on the data sheet, to me it seems like a little better product. But as you can see, not much difference. This is also with running a mix of 10 gallons E85 to a tank topped with 93. It isn't a flex fuel vehicle so any higher I get a CEL for running lean on both banks. Yes my mileage takes a hit. Instead of 20 mpg I normally get on trips I get 17mpg. This is also using EaO17 filter.  What is amazing is I have the AMSOIL cone filter on it since I have the GM Performance intake installed and that air filter has 44k miles on it.  I just take it out and shop vac it off once a year.  I use the upholstery tool on my shop vac.  Works well.   

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...