Ridgeline Rear Defroster Dead? Fix Cost Guide Inside

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2008 Honda Pilot last winter. The rear defroster stopped working and threw a code too. Took it to the garage and it turned out to be more than just a blown fuse, which was my initial guess. They found multiple breaks in the defroster grid lines and a faulty relay. The technician showed me the broken connections using a voltmeter, pretty interesting actually. Had to replace the entire grid system and relay. It wasn't a super serious repair in terms of safety, but definitely something you want working during cold weather. It took about half a day to fix. Since you're wary about mechanics, I'd suggest finding one who specializes in Hondas. They'll be more familiar with these common Ridgeline issues. Good luck!

Thanks so much for sharing your experience! I've been meaning to ask, how much did that repair set you back? Just trying to get a rough idea of what I might be looking at cost-wise. Also, has everything been working smoothly since the fix? My Ridgeline's been pretty reliable overall, but these electrical gremlins can be tricky!

Hey again! Just wanted to follow up, after taking your advice about finding a Honda specialist, I got everything sorted out. The total bill came to 290€ to fix what turned out to be a battery-related issue. They discovered the battery was pretty weak, which was causing all sorts of electrical quirks, including the defroster problem. The best part? The rear window defroster is working perfectly now! It's such a relief, especially since I was worried it might be something more complicated like the grid lines I had to replace in my Pilot. You're absolutely right about electrical issues being tricky, they can really keep you guessing! But I guess sometimes the simplest solution (like a new battery) can fix multiple problems at once. The Honda specialist was great about explaining everything, way better than my experiences with general mechanics. Happy to report I haven't had any issues since the fix. It's been working like a charm, and the defroster kicks in strong every time I need it. Money well spent, if you ask me!

Just wanted to close the loop and share my happy ending! Finally got my Ridgeline checked out at a new mechanic I found. What a difference! The guy actually took the time to show me exactly what was wrong, turned out to be a blown fuse and a loose connection. Much simpler than I feared! Only cost me around 150 for the diagnosis and repair, including labor. Such a relief after expecting the worst! The defroster's working perfectly now, and the mechanic even gave it a quick inspection to make sure nothing else was acting up. Thanks again for sharing your experience, it really helped give me confidence to tackle this issue. Sometimes these car problems aren't as scary as we think they'll be. Just gotta find the right one for the job! Think I've finally found a trustworthy mechanic too, which is worth its weight in gold. Gonna stick with this shop from now on. Really appreciate everyone's help with this!