Member Since: 04 Dec 2010
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 263
Heated windscreen issue
It’s that time of year and when I need it most the heated windscreen is playing up. The passenger side works ok but the driver side will not clear at all. Last year I had one of maybe two small strips on the driver side which were slow to clear but not all of it. I have changed the fuses FL2 and FL6 and it has no effect. I do not have any serious chips in the windscreen so doubt a broken filament is the issue. Can anyone suggest what else I should look at.
Thanks
2nd Dec 2023 3:20 pm
jenseneverest
Member Since: 12 Jun 2017
Location: somewhere
Posts: 767
Take the internal A pillar trim off, (be careful there is an airbag in there)
there is connections both N/S and O/S, check they are both making good contact.
Sounds like the filament is failing to me though
2nd Dec 2023 5:10 pm
Steve B
Member Since: 04 Dec 2010
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 263
Thanks for the steer and I will have a look at it tomorrow. I assume taking the A pillar off is straightforward by removing the airbag plastic cover and taking the screw out. I fear you are probably right and the filament is failing
2nd Dec 2023 5:28 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10368
you should only need to take the A pillar off the drivers side.
Torx driver required.
There should be 2 flat connectors.
One + one -
Turn on the engine and windscreen and ensure 12v across them.
2nd Dec 2023 5:35 pm
Steve B
Member Since: 04 Dec 2010
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 263
Looking at it again this morning I notice there is a relay in the fuse box which indicates it is for the heated screen. Am I right in assuming that if this had failed neither side of the screen would work. Is it possible to get these from any car shop or is it a stealer job 😩
5th Dec 2023 2:14 pm
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8110
Follow Pete’s instructions, use a 12v bulb to test for power if you do not have a proper tester It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
5th Dec 2023 3:44 pm
Steve B
Member Since: 04 Dec 2010
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 263
I will look tomorrow when it is dry. Are the connections to the screen easily identifiable or can anyone tell me where they are
Thanks for all the help
5th Dec 2023 8:41 pm
rrhool
Member Since: 28 Aug 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4400
Quite obvious, about half way up the pillar, both sides. Black wires (I think) with spade type connectors on. The flat terminals come off a flat flexi bonded to the screen.Richard
D3 SE 2007. Triumph 2.5Pi 1973. Ferguson TEA20 1948.
Discovery 2 4.0 ES 2001- Gone
Discovery 1 300Tdi ES '95 - Gone
Range Rover Classic '79 - Gone
5th Dec 2023 8:56 pm
Steve B
Member Since: 04 Dec 2010
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 263
Thanks
5th Dec 2023 9:13 pm
Steve B
Member Since: 04 Dec 2010
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 263
Well a sunny day at last so I managed to get out to the car.
I have taken the A pillar off and found the two bonded bits to the windscreen (see photo ). I have put a multimeter on each and get no reading.
The screen is on closer examination clearing very slowly compared to the other side so some current must be getting through. The wiring and spades are very difficult to get to with all the wiring and I am concerned I may set the airbag off by moving it all around.
I did take the other side A pilllar off and have noticed that the bonding pieces are fixed to the screen better than the driver side.
A couple of questions :
Could the issue of slow clearing be as a result of the bonding not being as good as the passenger side ?
Should I get a reading of the bonding pieces or do I need to disconnect the spades
Thanks again for your help
6th Dec 2023 2:55 pm
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8110
You won’t set the air bag off, if you can’t get a reading from the bonding take them off and test the spades, it is always better to use a load like a 12v bulb, a tester with a built in bulb can be obtained for £3-£4 It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
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