# Rear defrost / static radio **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [October 31, 2008, 1:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-defrost-static-radio/21447 "2008-10-31T13:25:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cfraites](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@cfraites](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cfraites)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2008, 1:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-defrost-static-radio/21447/1 "2008-10-31T13:25:35Z")
recently, when i use the rear defrost it knocks out my radio. any ideas. ---
**Author:** ![tardis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f0a364/32.png) [@tardis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tardis)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2008, 4:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-defrost-static-radio/21447/2 "2008-10-31T16:21:42Z")
It’s usually broken traces in the defrost grid. There are repair kits available for some cars. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2008, 4:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-defrost-static-radio/21447/3 "2008-10-31T16:41:34Z")
You have a short someplace. ---
**Author:** ![tardis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f0a364/32.png) [@tardis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tardis)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2008, 4:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-defrost-static-radio/21447/4 "2008-10-31T16:51:16Z")
Why do you say that? I am assuming that the OP has one of the many cars that use the defroster grid for the radio antenna. Everything I’ve read, indicates an open in the grid, not a short, is the problem. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2008, 4:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-defrost-static-radio/21447/5 "2008-10-31T16:58:15Z")
An open grid will stop the defogger from working…NOT knock out the radio. ---
**Author:** ![tardis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f0a364/32.png) [@tardis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tardis)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2008, 6:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-defrost-static-radio/21447/6 "2008-10-31T18:57:42Z")
Not a completely open grid, just some of the lines going across. But, by what magic would the radio be able to keep working if its antenna (the defrost grid) were gone? ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2008, 7:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-defrost-static-radio/21447/7 "2008-10-31T19:29:51Z")
I wonder if the defogger and the radio antenna share a ground that might not be making good contact. Does the radio go out as soon as you turn on the defogger and does the radio come back at the exact same time as you turn the defogger off? ---
**Author:** ![Beadsandbeads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c57346/32.png) [@Beadsandbeads](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Beadsandbeads)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2008, 7:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-defrost-static-radio/21447/8 "2008-10-31T19:38:18Z")
What kind of car? ---
**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2008, 7:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-defrost-static-radio/21447/9 "2008-10-31T19:42:05Z")
Consider adding a dedicated antenna, they always give better reception espically on AM.