the top half works ok, the bottem half doesnt seem to want to defrost. andy ideas?

 

I know this is an old thread, but since it was never answered, I thought I'd add my question to it. My 04 XJ8 has exactly the same symptom. Last night was the first time the read defrost has come on since I've had the car. The top half worked. The bottom half did not. (BTW, it did come on automatically, according to the outside temperature apparently.)

Whoever owned the car before me had the windows tinted. I noticed that there is a place or two in the bottom half where the copper-colored lines across the glass are broken approximately mid-way down, possibly something that happened during the tinting process. I can't tell if those copper lines are the actual heater, or if they just cover a finer wire that might still be uncut.

 

I never figured out how to fix my rear window defroster and sold my xj8 about a year ago. My windows were never tinted so that process wouldn't apply. I was starting to have too ma y problems and no warranty so I sold it. Have a '07 M-B with warranty for another year, been a great car. I did have an 01 xk8 that I really liked, a hydrolic line broke for the conv. Top, had warr. On that, so I may look for one again next summer. Hope you get your defroster fixed. Must be someone that can help.

 

Years ago I repaired a break in a rear window heater with a dab of electrically

conducting paint.

I am not sure if you can still repair the modern ones in the same way.

 

They can be repaired. However, if the window is tinted that would have to come off, unless you wanted to cut out the tinting exactly above the break.


There are a few different kits out there.


How to video:

 

Thanks! I never knew such kits were available.

 

Thanks. The dealer just told me that the rear window defroster on my XF is not working due to a short in the grid. They are suggesting replacement of the entire rear window, so I will try this grid test before they order new glass just in case.