Heated Rear & Front Screens

[RussT]

I have a problem with my heated screens. Once pressing the switch they take for ever and never really clear before they auto switch off.

Is it a normal problem with the Galaxy or have I got some sort of problem.

My veichle is a 1997 2.0 ghia and the only thing I can find which may be part of the problem is I have an under size battery on. This as been since I bought the car 2 years ago and has always started it fine so I did not see the point in changing it.

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Depends how badly misted up/frosted over the glass is before you switch them on :D

 

Battery should not make much difference as when the engine is running the alternator will supply the electricity to run the electrics. Check that you have over 13 volts across the rear screen heater; if necessary unplug the wires and measure the resistance of the wires with the power OFF. (If you don't have one, get a cheap multimeter from Argos, Index, Halfrauds etc - under a tenner).

[MrT]

On the later models the front windscreen will only heat if the engine is running and that is actually running, not the ignition turned on and the engine not started.

 

Are you sure you don't have a ventilation problem as if I turn my air-con/ventilation off the car mists up very quickly, even with the heated screens on.

 

I am surprised that you are misting up at this time of year. I have not had the heated screens on for months.

[RussT]

Thanks MrT.

I am not misting up a lot at the moment, I was just trying to get prepared ready for the winter months.

It's one of those job you only usally remember when it is to late.

 

 

RussT

[MrT]

A fairly simple test to see if they are working is to let the engine idle and switch them on. As they use so much current, the engine load from the alternator will change and you will hear a slight change in note as the engine takes up the load. You may also notice lights dim very slightly.

 

Usually if the warning lights come on in the switches, this is a sign that the relays are working as on my model the power to the warning light comes from the screen heater side of the relay.

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Yes, but Russ's problem is not so much that they don't work, as that they don't seem to be working properly. This is odd, especially with rear screen, as it should either work properly or not at all. Any broken wires will be obvious as the mist will not clear from around them (have had 2 broken wires in one of my wife's previous cars so I can tell you it really is obvious). Front screen is a different matter as the wires are thin and embedded in the glass. Wires do break inside the glass and cannot be repaired.