Broken rear screen

[oilman151]

Last month the rear screen on my DB9 shattered whilst driving along at 30mph for no apparent reason. I was wondering if anyone else had experienced this.
I'd been driving along the M4 and it had been raining. The rear screen heater had been on for no more than 15 mins to clear the rain drops. I switched the screen off when I exited the M4. It had stopped raining. I was about 2 miles along a 30mph road when there was an almighty bang and the rear screen shattered.
Luckily it stayed intact for long enough for me to limp home and get into the drive. Over the next 12 hrs it slowly but surely continued to break up until small pieces were falling onto the rear parcel shelf. Up to this point there were no holes (bullet or otherwise).
I had it replaced which cost 1400 quid.
My question is, would the rear heater switching on/off and the rain have caused this?
If anyone has any theories, or a similar experience, please let me know. I don't want the same to happen again.
ANT

[rick-derby-]

Hi Ant, we see a lot of this usually over winter, The rear screens heat up very quickly and any sudden change in temperature caused by rain snow etc can cause them to shatter, there is a reflash which helps and has reduced the problem but not cured it,

[oilman151]

Thanks Rick. Will you be able to do the reflash when I come up for service next month?
Regards
ANT

[michaelniwot]

This happened to a friend of mine who had the whole repair fixed under warranty.

[XXXAngelXXX]

hi Ant long time no see- that's a common prob on the older DB9s

[tonyhall38]

happened to me too.....got rear screen replaced even though my car was out of warranty....is a known fault , either way your insurance should cover it under your glass/windscreen cover?..

[oilman151]

Yes, mercifully the insurance covered it all bar 75 excess.
Hi xxxAngelxxx, how's the jeep? Hope ur enjoying it.
Does anyone know if it's a problem on earlier DB9s because of the earlier screens, the earlier car body or the heating element?
With a new screen, is the problem likely to have gone away, or is it still inherent due to the age of the car?
Should I refrain from using the heated element: 1. all the time, 2. just in rain 3. in the winter?
Difficult to know waht the cause is, but I'm sure my insurance company is going to get v. peed off if I claim again.
Thanks for reading/responding.
ANT

Edited by oilman151 on Monday 7th June 10:28

[rick-derby-]

The problem was that the rear screen heater is too effective the glass can't cope with the quick expansion, or a hot screen and a sudden change as in cold water hitting it,

The screen had an on time of 21 minutes, the software change now means it comes on for 7 minutes then cycles on to off every minute for the remaining 14 minutes,

This has significantly cut down the instances of this happening but still see some even after the reflash of the cem,

Ant I am certain yours has the updated software but will reflash to be 100%,

[XXXAngelXXX]

my kids like the Jeep......

[Neil1300R]

XXXAngelXXX said:

my kids like the Jeep......

Brilliant quote Sir!
Had me laughing out loud (knowing your car history)
Hopefully business will pick up so you can get back in an Aston

[michaelniwot]

tonyhall38 said:

happened to me too.....got rear screen replaced even though my car was out of warranty....is a known fault , either way your insurance should cover it under your glass/windscreen cover?..

What, no picture of the damage??

[tonyhall38]

just for you.....




and one of it fixed...!!!

[michaelniwot]

There's a surprise.

[XXXAngelXXX]

thanks for your support Neil but according to my wife i am grounded...




PS: in *zekret lurking for a V12V

[tonyhall38]

michaelniwot said:

There's a surprise.

shouldn't be...the fact i keep a record of such things surprises you?.....or the fact that you really want my car as your's is so boring?......don't think i've seen yours.....is it a gee whizz?

[michaelniwot]

What qualifies as a gee whiz?

Edited by michaelniwot on Tuesday 8th June 23:29

[michaelniwot]

sorry "Gee whizz"

Edited by michaelniwot on Tuesday 8th June 23:31

[tonyhall38]

electric car used by idiots who think they are going to save the planet.....but infact costs more in the terms of energy used to charge them....also are according to encap ...1 star rated....so a death trap as well....so happy motoring..!!!

[michaelniwot]

Thank you for the explanation and no I neither have a Gee Whizz car nor do I covet your car because mine is so boring. FWIW my attention to the eco system may be judged from some of the cars I currently own which include a Vanquish S, a Vanquish, in AMR green, a DB9, a LWB Volante, a 550 Vantage, a V8 Vantage Volante, an X pack Vantage, and a V8 Saloon.

[tonyhall38]

a dealer then.....