Anyone else with a hatch check something for me on a cool damp or frosty morning please.

 

The top 3 elements of my heated rear screen (the ones that pass through the high level brake light) don't heat up.

 

They don't demist the screen at the very top, or demist the high level brake light, and you can feel the difference in temperature on the outside of the screen.

 

Is this by design or is my heated rear screen goosed? No visible scratches or damage at all to indicate a broken element or anything like that.

 

I will be really annoyed if it needs a new rear screen as every time I have had a screen replaced the fitter has either scratched the car getting the old one off or managed to bond it back on slightly off square, as well as damage the trim and introduce loads of annoying rattles. I have plenty enough bits of rattly trim at the moment thank you without adding more!

AFAIK the first three wires are gsm/gps antennas.

The top 3 will be the radio antenna.

Ok, makes sense, but seems an oversight that the brake light is still covered in frost.

Sent from my phone so please excuse brevity and spelling

What are the vertical lines then? I thought they were the diversity antenna?

Sent from my phone so please excuse brevity and spelling

The whole of my rear screen has defrosted every time without problems and without leaving any gap at the top

Yep, it looks to the naked eye that they are connected to the same strips each side as the rest of the screen, so should be receiving power.

Same thing on my octy with the top three elements not defrosting around the brake light, not ideal.

Although, from inside the cabin, this is not noticeable and the visible part of the rear windscreen is completely clear so it maybe it's meant to be like that?

Anyway, spring/summers on its way (hopefully!) so I'll not be too worried!

Same thing on my octy with the top three elements not defrosting around the brake light, not ideal.

Although, from inside the cabin, this is not noticeable and the visible part of the rear windscreen is completely clear so it maybe it's meant to be like that?

It is meant to be like that, the top 3 wires are the radio antenna.