Heated rear window problem

[Milordas]

Hello! This morning I drove to work on a rain and noticed that my heated rear window didn't work at all (not just some part of the gird, but all of it). Heated rearview mirrors worked just fine. The grid doesn't look damaged. Maybe someone had this problem and know where to look for a possible problem?

[GiveMeABreak]

Ok, so it won't be the fuse as Fuse F17 in the BSI fusebox should be a 40A and controls both the heated rear windscreen and the heated mirrors, so that rules out the fuse if the heated mirrors are working.

So the other issue is the wiring to the rear windscreen itself or the heating elements have become broken in one or more places, like maybe being too vigorous when cleaning the inside rear window? You may be able to test the window element circuit with a multimeter to see if the power is going from entry to exit element. If there's a break then it can help you narrow down where the break is by testing at different positions. You should be able to get some element repair stuff - examples here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/heated-rear-wi ... repair+kit

[Milordas]

Ok, so I made a simple test this evening. Started a car, turned on rear window heating and touched it with my fingers. And it seemed they were getting warm. But when i drove a car today the water on rear window didn't dry out at all. Not even a small spot around the grid. Could it be that heating is working, but not at a level they are supposed to?

[GiveMeABreak]

Ok, so from what you are saying I think you misunderstand the function of the heated rear window - it's not designed to remove water! The heating elements are only designed to remove light condensation or to defrost an iced up window. They don't get hot enough to evaporate water. That is the function of the air conditioning which should be on all the time to remove excess moisture from the air.

[Milordas]

Yes do understand that the direct functionality is not to remove water, but from my past experience with other cars I owned, they all more or less would dry out spots where heating elements are set. I'm not saying that on direct rain on the window when the car is stopped/parked it's supposed to dry out the water, but when you drive around in light rain or with just wet rear window it should remove some water. At least that is what I used to have (and still have in wife's E90) in other cars.

[GiveMeABreak]

I just don't know how you are getting the amount of 'water' you seem to indicate - this seems excessive. If you drive in rain with the windows open or leave the windows open in the rain you are asking for trouble with other issues to be honest. Maybe you should consider getting some wind deflectors that can help keep most of the rain out if you like driving with the windows partially opened.

But back to the issue, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with the system - as it's obviously working as it should.

[Sloppysod]

Can I make. Suggestion, fill you kettle, poor BOILING water into a bowl and leave it on the parcel shelf, after a couple of minutes turn your heated rear window on, the condensation will dissappear around the elements first... If it does ...... this will also show if one of the element wires has fractured.
As for drying out light rain, yes this may happen but only in cooler air temperatures.

Spoiler: show

.Remember, it was only the early Skodas who's heated rear windows were powerfully enough to keep your hands warm .. While pushing