First World car problems #1

These recent frosty mornings have shown that my heated windscreen isn’t heating properly. I’m getting two vertical strips that aren’t defrosting – one just left of centre and one in the middle of the passenger side.

Not a major issue as most of the windscreen clears (and all of drivers side) but just these 2 strips left, maybe an inch or so wide each.

The windscreen was replaced about 2 years ago so relatively new, and was fine last winter, so could this be a dodgy connection to the elements somewhere?

Suggestions on how to trace and treat please! I’m not even sure where this would be plugged into the car but assume in the sensor housing by the rear view mirror? How easy would this be to access and fiddle (without electrocuting myself)? Or should I seek professional help?

Car is a 10 year old Volvo XC60

It’s not quite the same issue, and it’s on a Ford, but this might give some hints for things to check.

My van does that after a replacement windscreen. Think the Volvo’s use the Ford system? Unlikely you can do anything about it, individual elements are broken. After market screens are definitely not as good as OEM, or maybe there is more risk of fitting damage away from the factory.

If it’s only a couple of strips, its most likely that the element is damaged. I think most of these only had one or two connectors to the car system, which ran the entire screen. Either one or two zones, it’s several years since i’ve looked at these so i’m not that sure right now. And we haven’t fitted them for a good while either!

Last one i looked at, i think the connector(s) were in one of the bottom corners. But *really* don’t take my word on that, as i can’t even remember what car it was.

 And we haven’t fitted them for a good while either!

Shows how much attention i’ve been paying, it’s still available in some markets/configurations now.