Heated screen problems?

[ChrisG89]

Hey

I've recently bought a 2000 Focus with a front heated screen, but it doesn't seem to be working. Is there anything I can check or will it be just a case of the windscreen will have to be replaced for it to work?

Also will it work on a chipped windscreen?

Thanks in advance

[CoolC]

Has it deffinately got a heated screen fitted? It could have been replaced in the past and the owner gone for the cheap option of a non-heated version.

Check the fuses for the screen, seperate fuse box next to the battery, large 30A fuses IIRC.
Check the connections are good. Blocks under the scuttle in each bottom corner.

ETA a quick way to check power is being supplied (whether it is making it to the screen or not) is let the car idle, then switch the heated screen on and the revs will drop slightly as the load is applied.

Edited by CoolC on Monday 6th December 21:50

[ChrisG89]

Cheers for reply.

The windscreen has a small chip in it now, think it has been repaired though. Doesn't feel rough or anything, but is still visible.

Will give it a go with the rev counter and checking the connections. Is it possible for only half the screen to fail? Not sure how it even works to be honest.

Have already checked the fuse, that was fine. I think it was 30A.

Thanks again

[CoolC]

The heated screen is in two sections, with fine wires in the laminate of the glass. A chip may damage a line or two but won't stop a complete half from working.

Can you see the fine wires? it may be a s simple as it doesn't have a heated screen fitted.

[klimakool]

bought a fiesta for the misses last year, had a screen in the past and it wasnt connected, window back out job though to sort it

[ChrisG89]

Will have a look tommorrow for the wires.

This might be a silly question and I think I know the answer, but do you need to press the button and put the blowers onto the windscreen, or should just pressing the button work?

It times out and switches itself off after a few minutes, but doesn't seem to clear the screen.

Is annoying really, because I bought the car to use over the winter and one thing that led me to it was the heated screen.

Thanks again

Edited by ChrisG89 on Monday 6th December 22:42

[klimakool]

ame as rear button only needed

[HellDiver]

The connections between the screen and wiring loom can go bad, check them by removing wiper arms and the plastic panel below. There'll be a 2-wire connection at each side of the screen. Unplug them and see if the connection is burnt out. If it is, often picking the corrosion out with a small screwdriver and plugging them back together will work.

When I got my car only the passenger side of the screen worked - the driver's side was totally disconnected, and the wire taped to the loom. Looks like it was never plugged in at the factory.

[Doofus]

If the screen's been replaced, they don't seem to work very well.

I had one, and after a replcement screen, it only cleared in stripes, as if some of the filaments weren't working. I know somebody who had one replaced, and only the passenger's half cleared after that.

[oldcynic]

Got one of these screens on the Alhambra and it works great now that the windscreen has been replaced. However when we got the car it had a large chip which we got repaired but the screen only worked as far as the stone-chip.

Just press the button and wait 90 seconds - excellent at this time of year.