Rear defrost issue?

HAx5 said:

I noticed yesterday that the top several inches of my rear window were not defrosting. There are wires in the glass, but the dew remained with a very clear delineation around the third or fourth wire trace. I am wondering if there is an electrical issue with that part of the heat trace

Has anyone else witnessed this?

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That what it sounds like.

Maybe take photos and show them to the service department to get it fixed under warranty.

A long, long time ago, I had to remove the tint from my car windows when I moved to a different state. Apparently, I pulled or scraped away some of the conductive wire. Since the car was way out of warranty, I found some electric glue. This glue electrically reconnected the wire strand across the back window. The strand had a gap. Once filled, the strand worked once again.

I would have the dealer fix it at this point.

I noticed it in my rear view mirror so I didn't try the photo opp - good idea though. It's the first time in dew rather than snow.

Dealer it shall be, I haven't even had to clean the inside windows yet.

HAx5 said:

I noticed yesterday that the top several inches of my rear window were not defrosting. There are wires in the glass, but the dew remained with a very clear delineation around the third or fourth wire trace. I am wondering if there is an electrical issue with that part of the heat trace



Has anyone else witnessed this?

Click to expand...

Silly question, but has it ever cleared that area?

andre12dbsi said:

Silly question, but has it ever cleared that area?

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LOL I cant remember! I park in my garage, so the need use rear defrost is fairly rare.

This is the first I noticed it with condensation/dew. Snow might have been there, but I may have thought it was volume of snow, not lack of heat....

The only reason I asked that question is because the 3rd brake light is up there. I wonder if they only start the heating a bit further down because of its location.

andre12dbsi said:

The only reason I asked that question is because the 3rd brake light is up there. I wonder if they only start the heating a bit further down because of its location.

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Very true. Hoping others (with eye level brake light) could give experience as well

I almost always park in a garage as well. I'm not sue when I'd be able to test. Maybe some of the members who had the car through the winter would be able to jump in.

HAx5 said:

I noticed yesterday that the top several inches of my rear window were not defrosting. There are wires in the glass, but the dew remained with a very clear delineation around the third or fourth wire trace. I am wondering if there is an electrical issue with that part of the heat trace

Has anyone else witnessed this?

Click to expand...

The top 2-3 inches of my rear window don't defog/defrost (the snow/slush away) either. I looked closer and noticed a separate grid of wires up there in the upper 2-3 inches from the other heater lines on the rest of the window and just assumed that the upper wires were not for defogging, but rather some sort of antenna. I have never cleaned the rear window -- it did this since I received the car.

With warmer temperatures recently, it's been a while since I've needed to use the rear defroster.

andleigh said:

The top 2-3 inches of my rear window don't defog/defrost (the snow/slush away) either. I looked closer and noticed a separate grid of wires up there in the upper 2-3 inches from the other heater lines on the rest of the window and just assumed that the upper wires were not for defogging, but rather some sort of antenna. I have never cleaned the rear window -- it did this since I received the car.

With warmer temperatures recently, it's been a while since I've needed to use the rear defroster.

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Fortunately it's warmer now with far less need to use it, aside from those odd times where it would be needed.

At least you have a lot of time to get it resolved before cold weather comes back around.

The upper few lines are more then likely the radio antenna wires.

andleigh said:

The top 2-3 inches of my rear window don't defog/defrost (the snow/slush away) either. I looked closer and noticed a separate grid of wires up there in the upper 2-3 inches from the other heater lines on the rest of the window and just assumed that the upper wires were not for defogging, but rather some sort of antenna. I have never cleaned the rear window -- it did this since I received the car.

With warmer temperatures recently, it's been a while since I've needed to use the rear defroster.

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The car windows were fogged this morning. I confirm that the defrosting field does not go right to the top. As mentioned above, the top electrical grid is completely separate from the defrosting field. You do not have a defect in your car. (I have never had a car the defrosts all the way to the top or bottom)

I'm thinking it's because of the antenna and whatever else is up there. I guess as long as it doesn't obstruct the driver's view......

Off topic: something is broken with this thread. I cannot go to page 2 and the thread stays bolded (unread) even after reading it.

It seems to be working ok with the Tapatalk app.

Can confirm that top 2" or so not getting heat when clearing away the dew yesterday

Can confirm that top 2" or so are not getting heat when clearing away the dew yesterday.

Can't say I paid much attention to how snow/ice was dealt with over winter (car sleeps outside unfortunately so other cars may sleep inside)

Looking at the pattern of wires, does not resemble anything like any antenna I've ever seen if indeed it is an antenna.

Going into dealership on Saturday for it's A1 and swapping out winters for summers... If I remember I'll ask.

(As I also suffered from the non-functioning pulse wipers straight from factory due to disconnected sensor, perhaps that person also forgot to connect something at the back glass?)

Ty all for the comments and confirmation. Antenna never occurred to me if thats what it is!
I look forward to @dcloutier dealership summary

TLX2014 said:

Off topic: something is broken with this thread. I cannot go to page 2 and the thread stays bolded (unread) even after reading it.

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I have had this problem twice. I reported it but no problem was found. The next day it worked for me. On the second try I waited 24 hours and it worked fine. Glad to see you verified my findings. Don't know what we can do to fix it except wait.

2nd off topic comment: This thread is now working, but the "Pandora As An Input Source" now has the problem. Oh well, just wait it out.

Unfortunately at this point it seems like waiting is all that can be done. The downside of owning a new vehicle, but it'll pay off