question for you electronics guys....

I have a wire that is no longer 'soldered' to my rear window. please see this
photo for visual explanation:




Here is a close up of the 'pad' on the window



Question is.... can I solder this back on with just a standard Weller Soldering gun, standard type used for electronics, like IC's, resistors, et al.... NOT the old solder GUN that our grand fathers used that really generated some heat back in the old days....

Thoughts? (Experience is even better) Thanks for any help you can offer

 

It looks to me as if the wire is held on with some kind of adhesive that is capable of tranfering energy, probably something simmilar to JB weld.

 

Yeah, I would try normal solder first, and see how long that holds up. Can't hurt at least. They may be using some other adhesive product.

 

Have you tried heating up what is there, either on the glass or on the terminal, to try to get it back together?

 

thanks for info and ideas guys....

before I try the excellent idea of jb weld, and after I test the dry resistance of that product, I will contact the local mini dealership to see if they sell the stuff they use.

if I get any info I will post it here for others.

Thanks again!

 

Madhatter, JB weld is an epoxy and will resist current flow. I would try reheating what is there with a microtorch. You may have to add a little resin cored solder to the joint.

 

I'd call an auto glass place & ask them what they'd use. The dealer is also a good place to enquire. There is something to fix that, you just have to find out what & where.

 

Maybe a stupid question, is this for the rear defrost? I can't seem to make out the location of that part...

 

Yes it's on the rear hatch. Its the wiring connection for the rear defrost.

 

cool. That's what I thought. I'm not sure what can be used to secure it again. I'd contact a body shop or the dealer. Seems as if JB weld would work though...

 

Yes JB Weld will hold it on all right, BUT will it conduct the electrical current?? That's the question. Let us know what you find out.

 

There is also a secondary radio antenna in the back glass as well.

 

Avoid soldering on the glass. The heat needed to be successful cannot come from a standard pencil iron, the glass will soak it all away. Plus, the concentrated heat can cause the glass to shatter. You can find a conductive epoxy to make the repair instead, try some of the better auto supply stores or an auto glass repair facility.

 

Find out how MINI would repair it.

The First choice is conductive glue if that is what was used originally.

If the existing pads are really solder and not glue, then the choice is the big weller gun your grandfather had. You need to heat the terminal and pad to temperature quickly. A small heat source will just dissapate through the glass, and you end up heating too much glass and increase the risk of fracture.

I have soldered several using my 140 watt Weller, but there IS the risk of glass fracture. Solder temperature is adjustable when it is formulated. Some melts at less than 200 Dg. F, Others go over 600. Any solder you are likely to buy at an electronics store will be in the 600 degree range. To re melt the existing solder, you would not need any more heat than was used originally.

 

If you go to an auto store you'll see demister repair kits, there should be some conductive glue that would be the product of choice.

 

That's the right idea, but the kits that I've seen & used are more of a conductive paint to fix scratches in the printed wiring on the window. There must be a proper fix for this. Wonder who'll find it first?

 

http://www.frostfighter.com/ff_pdt_2000.htm
Purchase this Tab repair Kit. It includes instructions on repair and all the adhesive required.
More info on the website as well. $24.95

 

Looks like you win the grand prize. What's that you say? My unending gratitude. I'm going to save that link for future use. Thanks!!!

This forum never fails to amaze me. Lots of smart folks post here.

 

cool site! You learn something new everyday!

 

http://www.frostfighter.com/ff_pdt_2000.htm
Purchase this Tab repair Kit. It includes instructions on repair and all the adhesive required.
More info on the website as well. $24.95

Will come back and post how it works when I am done. The wire to repair is the ground for the rear window audio antenna (yes there are two, the wip on the roof, and the rear window wire)

I knew enough to not solder on the window. Like Greatbear says, its not a good thing to do, to much heat disipation, and not the way to go.

Tried to get the information as to how MINI would handle it. The bone headed Bob Smith MINI in Los Angeles had no clue, and Parts dept passed me to service, and service was stuck on why would they pass my call to them... I feel sorry for them

 

Just called the company I ordered the tab repair kit from. They are shipping today. So... no news yet... Will post after I receive and try their product.