The entire grid seems to be out.

Is this a common thing? If so, what's the usual cause?

I thought that if one grid gets damaged, the rest will still work... is it possible for the whole thing to fail if only one line gets damaged?

 

What are you saying? A line is visually damaged?

 

Check where the wires go from the hatch to the body. I have 2 XJs where the wires to the defrost have broken right there.

 

That's specifically the answer I was looking for. I know that the driver's door wires can break from years of bending, so I figured it was probably the same situation here. Thanks, I'll check that today!

 

And there's a kit that you can buy to repair it. I did that repair some years ago on my '98.

 

Do tell! Where'd you get it. Still have to repair my 00.

 

Pretty much any auto parts store. This is going a few years back with the '98, but I had no trouble finding a kit & it worked. Don't remember the brand, but here's one kit and here's a link to a good repair tutorial. Just Google "rear defroster repair kit" and there's lots to choose from.

 

Where do u find the wires? I have heated side mirrors also, and my driver side mirror and rear defrost are not heating up but my passenger side mirror seems to still b heating up. So where should I look for bad wires cuz iv called around and that sounds like thats the problem.

 

junk yard

 

Hey 77olds, ever fix your rear defrost?
I just fixed mine the other day so if you need a hand let me know, I live in the area.