Get rear window defroster to stay on

[weebl]

In older cards when I first started driving, the rear defrost switch was manual and would stay on until I turned it off. Of course over the years, these are now on for only a short period before it turns off automatically.

Living in a climate where there can be significant amount of ice I want cleared, I would much rather have a switch that keeps the defroster on until I decide to turn it off. Anyway to do that on the Passat? As I also have a non VW in my stable, is this also possible on other makes, and if so, would it be a different procedure than on a VW?

 

[Spyke]

You can change the time it stays on with VCDS.

I set mine to stay on 20 minutes instead of 10 due to the fact that I live in a region where there's a lot of snow and ice and 10 minutes is not enough to get the window completely defrosted.

 

[tdiatlast]

Does anyone know the answer to this:

Is the time limiter to avoid unnecessary battery drain, or is there an over-heating risk with the defroster/wiring?

 

[VernK]

I'm quite sure it's just being tidy and power management.

Yours
Vern

 

[inthered]

I thought it was to limit the use and wear on the defroster so they burn out less.

On older cars where the switch was manual I often saw a line or two that did not work.

For what it's worth on my 1995 Trans am the button is push button not a hard switch. So this timer has been around for more than 20 years.

 

[Trvln Canuk]

On my Buick Lacrosse the heater would go off after 10 minutes when driving below 30 MPH, but over 30 it would stay on forever.

 

[weebl]

Looks like another reason for me to get VCDS. Thanks, everyone.

 

[stbljmpr]

What is VCDS?

 

[Cogen Man]

What is VCDS?

http://www.roselandtech.ca/VCDS.htm

http://www.ross-tech.com/