Hey everyone, first of all, Merry Christmas! I just bought recently a new to me 2002 Jeep Wrangler Sahara. I am absolutely loving having a jeep, makes me wonder why I didn’t do this along time ago. I noticed my rear window defroster doesn’t work. When I press the switch in the heating controls the light comes on, but the rear window doesn’t defrost. I did some investigating and found that someone had cut off the connector that goes from the front of the vehicle back to where it plugs in. The rear connector is still attached to the hardtop, but they cut off the one that runs from the front. I called a local jeep dealership and big surprise they were zero help at all, looking to take my money away from me. Does anyone know here where I can buy a replacement connector for that so I can wire it in? Also, does anyone know if the wiper and the rear defroster are wired in on the same connector, or are they two separate connectors?
Where can I get rear defroster harness connector?
- Thread starter chiaronate
- Start date
Not sure if this is what you're looking for, did some looking around online, mostly found the harness you have (the one connected to the hardtop itself) is this what you need? he mentions that the audio wires for the soundbar have been cut, but you can splice them back in
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1547489623...d=link&campid=5337789113&toolid=20001&mkevt=1
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1547489623...d=link&campid=5337789113&toolid=20001&mkevt=1
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LONGJP2
TJ Expert
That’s what I was thinking, splice onto the wiring that I have. I have the connector that is attached to the hardtop, but someone had cut off the connector that comes from the front of the vehicle. Looks like I’m also going to need a few feet of wiring also.
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I’m going to need some additional wiring also, probably a few feet or so. I’m also wondering if the same wiring harness powers both wiper, wiper washer, and defroster also. I only see the one wiring harness. There are quite a few wires on it. I didn’t count them, but it looks like maybe 5 or 6. That makes me think they are all connected in the same harness. When I gave Chrysler the VIN, they told me that Jeep never came with a hard top, just a soft top.
yes, there are 5 or 6 wires ran to the rear hardtop connection in a single plug & there should be a small rubber hose also for the wiper spray nozzle near the body side of the harness.
if the pigtail is unobtainable there is always the route of searching the local auto supply store for a generic pigtail harness around the dorman help section for something that you could fab up to work, but this would involve replacing the plug connection on the hardtop as well rather than just the body side only.
something like this trailer connector 707255 could work (though im not certain on the total amount of wires) just a suggestion though.
could cut the thing in half and use the male and female ends as your new pigtail if you got to go the route of replacing both ends.
obviously using the side on the left for the hardtop side (non powered) and the side on the right of the photo for the body side of the harness selecting the white wire connected to the bare terminal as your ground (for obvious reasons, dont want a hot wire laying exposed). im sure there are wire diagrams in the knowledgeable here to tell you which wire connects to what at the hardtop harness connection.
if the pigtail is unobtainable there is always the route of searching the local auto supply store for a generic pigtail harness around the dorman help section for something that you could fab up to work, but this would involve replacing the plug connection on the hardtop as well rather than just the body side only.
something like this trailer connector 707255 could work (though im not certain on the total amount of wires) just a suggestion though.
could cut the thing in half and use the male and female ends as your new pigtail if you got to go the route of replacing both ends.
obviously using the side on the left for the hardtop side (non powered) and the side on the right of the photo for the body side of the harness selecting the white wire connected to the bare terminal as your ground (for obvious reasons, dont want a hot wire laying exposed). im sure there are wire diagrams in the knowledgeable here to tell you which wire connects to what at the hardtop harness connection.
Thanks, I’d rather keep the factory connector on the hard top. I did see the wiper washer hose and that was cut also. My washer fluid was slowly leaking out and I found it to be leaking through the rear washer hose. I removed it from the reservoir and put one of those caps over the opening and it solved that problem.
A wranglerforum member posted this, a lot of great information here. All I need to do now is locate the connectors that I need.
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/hardtop-wiring-converting-plugs-to-match-different-years.198/
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/hardtop-wiring-converting-plugs-to-match-different-years.198/
IMHO I'd just get on wirecare.com and order a deush or amp weatherpak connector with the appropriate (or hey add a couple of extra JIC) pins. Replace the both sides with a modern, not crispy side. You can get wire there too!
Use crimp butt splices and heat shrink to extend the wires.
-Mac
Use crimp butt splices and heat shrink to extend the wires.
-Mac
im in the same boat as keeping things stock too. but I also dont see jeeps in any salvage yard. overall, just a suggestion.
LONGJP2
TJ Expert
Not sure if the '02 is different, but on my '06 a seat plug from a dodge dakota was a match.
LONGJP2
TJ Expert
Some info for those trying to wire your own. The rear washer pump (under the hood) is powered through the rear hardtop plug. From the switch to the hardtop plug, then right back out and back up to the pump. This prevents spraying the washer into jeep when the hardtop is off.
Probably the best bet to go, do you have access to the harness that he cut enough to be able to patch a new section of that wiring harness I linked in? I did some quick research and it kinda looked like a bear to get a new one into the dash and over to the fuse box,