Would a 1976 rear window fit a 1973 ??

[Russkcpa]

The rear defroster on my 1973 Tii is shot and it would be nice to have it functioning. I tested for continuity and seem to have many breaks (although can't see breaks with naked eye)

My '76 2002 rear window has no breaks and I'm wondering if the switch can be made ?

ANOTHER OPTION: In Massachusetts we have NO DEDUCTIBLE on glass replacement. If some sort of "accident" damaged my rear window is there a replacement available? (with the same 1/2 defroster grid)?

Thanks

Russ

[ToddK]

I have a rear window from a 75 that is probably going to be thrown away. If you want it, come and get it. I'm in Carver. Hey here is a thought. Thanksgiving-Plymouth Rock-free window, sounds like a road trip.

[Mike Self]

Sizewise, all '02 backlights are the same...they came in four flavors: clear and tinted, heated and not heated. Heated clear backlights are quite rare, but tinted ones are common and still available thru BMW. That's what your '73 uses.

Before you go thru the trouble of swapping, make SURE your 76 defroster grid actually works. Just because you have continuity between the two terminals doesn't mean that all the grids work--only one needs to for continuity.

The best way to test is to connect the defroster to a 12 volt source, hook a voltmeter's negative terminal to the - side of the grid, and touch the + terminal to each grid "wire" in turn, starting at the - side and working towards the

+. If the voltage drops to zero somewhere on your journey across the grid, that wire is dead. Repeat for each wire.

Oh, and if you're gonna replace, get a new OEM backlight gasket (don't buy an aftermarket one--their fit is problematical) and chrome strip unless yours are new or nearly so...

cheers

mike