Ford Focus windscreen replacement - DIY?

[Landlord]

How-do,

I've just bought a run-around '51 plate Focus which has a button for a heated windscreen but the screen itself is "standard"/not-heated.

How feasible is it to get a heated windscreen and replace it myself? Is it a ball-ache of a job/very skilled? Does anyone know where I can get it done cheaply? Fitting only if I supply?

Also, if I get the windscreen from a scrappy, will there be anything "missing" or are all the wires etc in the car and the windscreen is just a windscreen with some connectors on it?

Thanks,
Phil.

[CoolC]

Short answer - NO.

The screen is bonded into the body of the car, and is VERY difficult to remove intact. Unless you have all the correct equipment and knowledge of how to complete the job, it just won't happen.

Get a pro to do it.

ETA. for a heated screen, you will need a new switch on the dash, and a wiring loom extension. Only available from Fords and last time I checked (quite a few years ago now) it was about £70.

Edited by CoolC on Tuesday 19th October 13:09

[callyman]

If you're fully comp, then windscreen is normally covered, although you might have to pay excess.
If it where me i'd get a nice chip (bigger than a 20p) in it 'somehow' then get it replaced with an original screen for the sake of £50/70.
Especially if your in bonded, they are a very skilled job.
Autoglass did mine early this year and where very professional.

[Landlord]

CoolC - the car already has the heated screen stuff in it (switch etc) so I'd assume I wouldn't need the loom extension etc. Is that right?

Callyman - I'm 3rd party on my insurance so that's not an option. Not that I'd condone insurance fraud anyway!

[CoolC]

Have a look under the bonnet in the very bottom corners of the screen, that's where the wiring connects. There should be a large block connector with one wire (black with purple tracer IIRC) and then an earth bolt on the side/inner wing.

If all the wiring is there then a straight swap over is possible, no other modifications are needed. But you will still need someone with the tools and knowledge to do the work.

[Landlord]

CoolC said:

Have a look under the bonnet in the very bottom corners of the screen, that's where the wiring connects. There should be a large block connector with one wire (black with purple tracer IIRC) and then an earth bolt on the side/inner wing.

If all the wiring is there then a straight swap over is possible, no other modifications are needed. But you will still need someone with the tools and knowledge to do the work.

Understood. Thanks.

[anonymous-user]

Hmm, older Ford's had the ECU linked into the AIC valve as the revs rise when the screen is swicthed on to compensate for the (high) load, your car may not have this ability??

[mad4amanda]

surely if as the Op says there is the switch on the dash the rest of wiring and ecu etc will be in the car ? It sounds to me like the car has just hed a cheap non heated screen fitted normally this is because the heated ones are damn expensive! I had this on a Galaxy many moons ago and had to fight to get it replaced with the correct one for the car

[oobster]

Might be worth speaking to Glassman on here - i've never met him but I found him very helpful when I had a completely different problem with a Focus windscreen.

[Glassman]

Landlord said:

if I get the windscreen from a scrappy, will there be anything "missing" or are all the wires etc in the car and the windscreen is just a windscreen with some connectors on it?

As CoolC says, it's not easy for the DIYer to remove one and even if the scrappy has a monkey that will do it, there's a good chance you'll get a windscreen with damaged wiring.

FWIW, I'd go for a new windscreen and get the guarantee that comes with it. You'll pay around 40/50/60/70 quid for someone to swap the screens over. I'm guessing you'll pay about the same for the 2nd hand glass when a new one won't be much more, but you'll get the assurance of a new unit fitted professionally.

Give me a call - happy to advise further.

07974 216 953

[Landlord]

mad4amanda said:

It sounds to me like the car has just hed a cheap non heated screen fitted normally this is because the heated ones are damn expensive!

Yes. This is my assumption too.

Glassman said:

Give me a call - happy to advise further.

I will do, thanks! Looks like you're local to me too (High Wycombe) - I'd be happy to put the work your way, if interested?



Thanks again, all for your help.

Edited by Landlord on Wednesday 20th October 09:43

[Glassman]

Landlord said:

happy to put the work your way, if interested?

One has a reputation to maintain

[Petemate]

IIRC, when I had a new screen in my Focus TDdi Ghia ('79 model) a few years ago, the cost was about £400, but only £50 to me (the excess) Ins company didn't bat an eyelid; had it done at my local Autoglass. When I called the insurers (I was with CIS at the time) I did mention it was heated, and all they said was "make sure you get it replaced with the heated one - never mind the cost sir, it has got to be right" Top peeps.

[anonymous-user]

mad4amanda said:

surely if as the Op says there is the switch on the dash the rest of wiring and ecu etc will be in the car ? It sounds to me like the car has just hed a cheap non heated screen fitted normally this is because the heated ones are damn expensive! I had this on a Galaxy many moons ago and had to fight to get it replaced with the correct one for the car

Sorry, more than likely. I was doing a hundred things at once when i replied.