heated windscreen

[camjude]

Hi, just had a replacement windscreen fitted 6weeks ago,(autoglass). just tried to use the heater first frosty morning. Light comes on switch but the heater does not seem to work! where is the wiring connector to the screen located, so i can check that it is live when the switch is on

[Sponsor]

[sailor]

Hadn't heard of electrically heated windscreens B4, on "our side of the pond" they are only used for rear glass.

On those, the electrical connectors to both sides are fairly "obvious" and usually located centrally on each side. Be VERY careful if you disconnect such for testing (hold the base contact onto the window when pulling the connector) because it is VERY easy to pull the connector off the window & break it in the process!!

Testing by probing the connections is preferred as a result, since replacing /repairing windows gets a bit pricey!

Luck!

P.S. - when testing, one side should show continuity to ground while the other would show battery voltage when actuated.

[camjude]

thanks sailor, was going to use a probe to test. just found out the screen only heats up when the temperature goes below 4 degrees C as it did this morning.

[Mile30]

Originally Posted by sailor

Hadn't heard of electrically heated windscreens B4, on "our side of the pond" they are only used for rear glass...

Taurus' and a small number of domestics had the heated windshield as an option... until the first few of them went in for service! Those windscreens were coated in a fine layer of gold flake that conducted electricity and provided heat for the entire window.

They cost an arm and a leg to fix; so America's love affair with that Euro-convenience ended shortly thereafter.

[nilskje]

Ford (and others) dont use gold for this , tiny wires are embedded in the laminate, you can see them if you look closely in bright light, the gold opition you will find in aircraft windows, for a ford focus in Europe a replacement windscreen heated is about 40% higher than the normal...

[camjude]

Nilsjke, you are right about the wires in the laminate and the extra cost

[sailor]

Interesting....

Ya learn something new.. as they say....

It WOULD be handy on those cold days waiting for the heat to come on... And for those cars that DON'T seem to manage to aim the defrost vents so they work right..