Void in rear defrost coverage.

[warmtoes]

I finally had to use my rear defrost yesterday as I had the car parked outside for a while and it had condensation on the inside.

It appears that the upper 3 wires work and then at the mid-point it doesn't defrost a big band and then it defrosts a little bit at the bottom.

Took a look at the defrost wires and there is a strip on the wire at the left side that is about an inch long that is lighter in colour than the rest of the wires. This coincides with the big band that doesn't defrost.

With a vert, I'm thinking they may have to get me a whole new top to fix it depending on how the glass is affixed to it.

I guess that's what the warranty is for.

[Lester]

The band at the top is a radio antennae (for the AM/FM Radio) - and is not meant to defrost.

[warmtoes]

Originally Posted by Lester

The band at the top is a radio antennae (for the AM/FM Radio) - and is not meant to defrost.

Okay, if you say so but it's not what I described above. The band that doesn't defrost is in the middle of the rear windshield and it is not working very well below it either.

The area at the top where the radio antennae is supposedly defrosts just fine.

[lannypoffo]

Read your owners manual to get clarification.

[Lester]

This is what it says on the topic.

[warmtoes]

First off, I have a vert which doesn't have that. I actually have an antennae on the left rear of my car.

The issue is that there is a huge part half way down the windshield that isn't defrosting. I doubt that this is the normal way it works.

[lannypoffo]

you prob need to warranty your rear window then. im assuming its glass.

[warmtoes]

Yes, it's glass. If there isn't something under the liner that allows them to remove the window I'm guessing it's the whole roof that'll need to be ordered. I'm sure that will take a long time to get.

I'm going to steam up the window with hot water vapor tonight to see if I'm seeing the same thing again.

[Tom K.]

Haven't had to use my rear defroster for frost/ice yet, although it defogs very well. All 11 wires on mine are the same orange color - with no breaks or discoloration.

Let us know how your dealer handles it - I'd hate to hear that it requires a completely new top!
Tom

[warmtoes]

Thanks Tom. I did see that odd spot on the wires form day one but had forgotten about it. And, I didn't need the defog until this past weekend.

If there is a way to remove the glass that would be good but you have to think there's some interesting sealing happening there with cloth and glass bonding.

[Tom K.]

My thought as well - good luck with it & keep us posted.

Tom

[warmtoes]

I thought I would post a photo to show the void and the non-defrosting area. I put a couple of tupperware containers in the back and then filled them with boiling water to get the condensation.

See the dark part of the wire and the band that isn't defrosting?

[lannypoffo]

thats not a "dark" part of the wire, its just gone. so that entire line is dead.

[Robert]

looks like a defect unless you tinted the windows then bmw will blame tinter.

[Lester]

You can get a copper paint that is designed to fix a small void like that. I seen that once at an auto parts store. Is was labelled as a rear window defroster repair kit. It was a while ago and I don't recall where I actually seen that.
Of course, a warranty repair would be a better option, but keep that in your toolkit if they don't cover it for some reason.

[warmtoes]

thats not a "dark" part of the wire, its just gone. so that entire line is dead.

The picture doesn't do it justice as it's dark. There is something there but it's pulled away from the glass it appears.

looks like a defect unless you tinted the windows then bmw will blame tinter.

No tint. Completely stock so I don't see any obvious reason they can pin it on me.

I'm calling for an appointment this morning. We'll see what they do.

[warmtoes]

Okay, finally had my appointment. As I thought, in order to fix it they have to actually replace my whole top. I'll find out on Monday how long it'll take to come in. And, I kept stressing to the SA that my top isn't straight black, its the moonlight black. To his credit he came out and actually looked at it.

[Tom K.]

Sorry to hear it's such a major job. Sounds like another instance of "the part that's not a part because it's part of another part"!
But at least it's on BMW's dime, not yours.
Tom

[warmtoes]

Yeah, I wasn't too worried as it is a warranty item and it isn't much of an imposition have a single line not defog for however long it takes to get a roof.

I just want them to get the right colour.

[warmtoes]

Well, some amazing news, they actually have a top in my colour available. I'm going away for a week shortly so I won't be able to get it in until the week after next.

Pretty surprising that they actually have one sitting around in their parts warehouse.

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by warmtoes

Well, some amazing news, they actually have a top in my colour available. I'm going away for a week shortly so I won't be able to get it in until the week after next.

Pretty surprising that they actually have one sitting around in their parts warehouse.

They pretty much have to keep this kind of stuff around. If I'm not mistaken there's a federal law on the books regaurding spare parts for new cars. When it comes to something like a low volume top, they're better off to just make some extra ones while they've got the line running that color. It could take a long time to get one made and shipped from Germany.

[warmtoes]

Makes sense but I wasn't sure if it would be in stock considering the 1 is still pretty new here. I remember someone who had a buckled top at the back had to wait some time for their top but that was back in early summer.