Failed Elements In Heated Windscreen

[Guest stawarz]

Just want to check what the consensus is with all you out there on a heated windscreen problem.

 

I've just had my 2002 Galaxy put through its 20k service (thankfully the bill came to 178 all in) and ask the dealer to check the heated windscreen. In front of the driver there is a 5 inch wide band of 1/2 inch sections working, 1/2 inch sections not working. The mechanic at the dealer claimed that there is a stone chip in the middle of it all that would have taken the elements out.

 

So the story moves on to Autoglass, they spent 1/2 hour checking the screen through and found no cracks, stars, deep chips or apparent cavities in the windscreen, only superficial scratches from day-to-day driving. As far as they were concerned the glass is OK but the elements have failed (especially given their pattern). I have to concur that I cannot see any crack or chips that the dealer claims.

 

Now for the crunch, the dealer is willing to order the 450 pound windscreen, fit it and return the original screen to Ford for inspection as proof of warranty claim. If Ford reject it's whip out the Barclaycard time for me.

 

Has anyone else experience problems with elements failing in the heated windscreen and successfully claimed against the warranty (or as the guy joked at Autoglass get a hammer and nail and crack it)?

 

Thanks!!

 

Andy

[Guest EVSS]

if its any help we used to fit all the glass for the local ford dealer, this was a fairly common problem. get the warranty clerk at the dealer to check, but providing you have some warranty left you will get foc its just ford take about 3 to 6 weeks to process. they always say you might get it rejected, its surprising how many people will get it changed on there insurance.

[Ivor_E_Tower]

...and a stone chip would have to be hellishly big to get through the first layer of laminate and damage the elements. If it's not working properly, it jolly well ought to be covered by warranty. Don't Ford have any "wandering" warranty claims staff who visit your local dealership every few weeks, and if so you should make an appointment to see them when they are next there.

[Guest stawarz]

Thanks you two. Will try a dealer in a different town/chain to confirm. I tried to reason with the service manager that surface pits would not cause the screen to fail given the thickness of the complete laminate. He's now even bulking on even ordering a unit and taking a chance with Ford.

 

18 months left on a Ford warrenty, I'll be damned if I'll claim against my insurance for a failed unit.

 

Andy

[HJT]

I think it's a fairly common problem on all heated windscreens not just Galaxy's. My 2002 Galaxy has several elements gone. I tend to just ignore them as the screen still clears really quickly. I remember a posting a few months ago about this and the general consesus was that most people had a few elements out.

That said though if the bands are wide and are causing problems for you then Ford should fix it under warranty.

 

Howard