Heated Front Screen Problem........

[NikNak]

Hi all........... Here's hoping someone can help out,

 

These past few morning have been quite frosty on starting up, so have turned to using the heated front screen..... but alas it dont appear to be working as it should (if at all) :angry: I press the screen button on the climate control panel, and the illuminated switch comes on ok, but nothing elese seems to work.

 

I've checked the manual, and it's telling me it's fuse no 51....... check, and it's ok.

 

What else should i be checking before i contact the dealer (again)...........

 

Cheers all.....

 

Nick

[Guest Wanny]

I must admit I have a heated front screen in my Gal and at first I would have said that the front screen did not work, but after a few mins it seems to start demisting the windows. I use to a have a RS Turbo when heated front screens first came out and as soon as you torch the button things start to happen, I am not sure if this now by design that things happen slower. So are you dead sure that the heated front screen is not working :angry: also read somewhere that the front screen does not work if the rear screen is on ?

[NikNak]

mmmhhh......... must admit not 100% positive, but it does seem too take an awful lot longer than it did the last time it was used.

 

I've also thought that i might 'borrow' the laptop from work and link up some thermocouples to the screen, so the next morning when i switch it on (here's hoping for frost!), i will be able to see instantly if there is a temperature change.

 

But, any other comments are welcome....... oh, and i have done a search on the subject, but didnt get any answers to the problem.

 

Cheers :angry:

Nick

[MrT]

Two issues to check.

 

The first is that the screen will only work when the engine is actually running, it will not work with the igntion turned on and the engine not running. If you turn the windscreen on you should notice a slight drop in rpm as it loads the engine. The screen gets noticeably warm to the hand in cold weather.

 

The positive connectors to the windscreen (there are two sets of elements) are just below the dashboard and you can access them at each side by lifting the tiny panels with the air vents in for those triangular quarter lights at either side of the dash. Just feel around in the hole and you will find a thick red cable with an in-line spade connector and clip on cover.

 

The earth to the screen is a plastic strip with copper strips inside it, like attachments to a pcb board. This is connected to the body of the car at the middle top of the windscreen behind the courtesy light and will usually require you to remove or loosen the head lining if you need to undo it. This strip will become hot to the touch so be careful.

 

When I had a replacement screen fitted, Autoglass had sheared off the earthing bolt and glued the earth with mastic to the body. I had to make a new earthing point with a self tapper and washer. If you have had a replacement screen fitted this could be the problem.

[Ivor_E_Tower]

I also seem to remember that it's only the pre-facelifted cars where the front screen will not work if the rear screen is switched on. Post 2000 models should manage to work both at the same time.

Also - there does seem to be a little delay before the front screen heats up - remember it is quite a large piece of glass. The frost doesn't seem to vanish or "fall" down the screen that quickly too, so have you tried the wipers after a couple of minutes to check if the frost has actually melted?

 

Rather than use a thermocouple, a simple voltage check on the positive leads as described above by MrT may be better.

[Mussey1]

On pre facelift cars heated front screen will not work if rear passenger heating is on at same time.

 

It is however possible to have front and rear screens on at the same time.

 

Mussey1.

[MrT]

Some other minor points to be aware of:

 

If you have climate control and switch the demist on, this will also turn the front windsreen on.

 

There is a timer that turns the heated screen off after x minutes.

 

On very cold mornings, the screen will turn itself on when you start the car. I think this happens at 2C or below.

[Guest SteveKeeley]

I used to have a Granada with heated front screen and there is no doubt that it defrosted much quicker than the Galaxy. Mine was so slow that I asked the garage to have a look at it. I si=ometimes find that when I use the screen demist button, the screen does not come on. Also, it sometimes turns itself off for no apparent reason. however, if I make sure the switch is on it does eventually work though I must admit that it is tempting to get the scraper out. If you go away and leave it, there is the possibility that it will turnitself off. The front and back screens definitely work with my 2001 facelifted model.

[seatkid]

Nik Nak: - MkII Heated Windscreen

 

Check the correct fuses F73 (50A) and F32 (5A)