Dead Rear Defroster? Vauxhall Adam Window Heat Fix

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2017 Vauxhall Corsa (I have some experience working on cars, but nothing too advanced). The symptoms were exactly the same, rear defroster completely dead. Turned out my battery was dying and couldn't provide enough power to the heating elements. Had to take it to my local mechanic who diagnosed it and replaced the battery. Total cost was around 290€, including labor. The problem never came back after that. Before you dive deeper into the heating system itself, I'd recommend getting your battery checked first, it's often the culprit for electrical issues like this. Could you share more details about your Adam? Like when was the last time you replaced the battery? Any other electrical issues you've noticed lately? This info would help narrow down if we're dealing with the same problem.

Thanks for the input! At 280166 KM and after my latest service, I've actually noticed a few other small electrical problems, so your battery theory makes a lot of sense. The dashboard lights have been slightly dimmer lately too, which I probably should have mentioned earlier. Think I'll get the battery tested before digging into the defroster system itself. Appreciate the heads up about the costs too – at least I know what to expect now if it turns out to be the same issue!

Hey again! Just saw your reply about the KMs and those electrical issues you're experiencing. This definitely sounds familiar, my Corsa was showing similar symptoms when my battery was on its way out. Those dimming dashboard lights are usually a dead giveaway! I forgot to mention in my first reply, but before I got my battery replaced, I also noticed my power windows were a bit sluggish and the central locking was acting up occasionally. Sounds pretty similar to what you're experiencing, right? Just thought I'd add that I picked up a multimeter from my local auto parts store for about 25€ and tested the battery voltage myself before heading to the mechanic, saved me from just guessing. If you're comfortable doing that, it might be worth checking. Should read around 12.6V when the engine's off. Keep us posted on what you find out! Always good to know if we're dealing with the same issue. My Corsa's been running like a charm since the battery swap, and I'm betting your Adam will too once you sort this out.

Thanks so much for all the detailed advice! You know what, I'll definitely grab a multimeter this weekend, that's actually a really smart suggestion. The symptoms you described with your Corsa match mine exactly, even down to the sluggish power windows (which I thought was just me being paranoid!). I actually just checked my service records, and I haven't changed the battery since I bought the car two years ago, so it's probably well overdue. Will head to the auto parts store tomorrow and test it myself first before booking it in with the mechanic. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience, helped me avoid potentially expensive diagnostic fees for what's likely just a simple battery issue! I'll update the thread once I've got it sorted.