Clearscreen not working properly on my car-Help!

eurotraveller

Ford S-Max Titanium 2010 heated front windscreen fault.
Hi all, has anyone else had this new fault on my car?
Without any warning, a central part of the windscreen does not demist or dei-ce when I switch on the electric heating, fitted for the purpose.
The rest of the screen clears perfectly but this band about 6 inches wide, dead centre, top to bottom, stays untouched. It actually could be dangerous by hiding somebody crossing the road at the crucial time.
Does this mean a new windscreen, or is it repairable on this car?
Ray (Edinburgh)

rousetafarian

Welcome to the forums!

eurotraveller

Thank you Mr Moderator, for your kind welcome message!
regards
ET

IronGiant

I know the early versions used to have connectivity problems along the bottom of the screen. So you could get that checked first, presumably at  the section that has stopped working.  Other than that, sounds like a new screen.

gibbo52

It would only be dangerous if you drove it before the screen was fully clear.

zeppelino

Presumably you can still direct the heating at the screen? If so it’s hardly critical to get it fixed.

Qactuar

The later screens had two connectors - left and right side.

It's common for only one side to work on quick clear screens, and it can be an easy fix if it's fuse related, but a random patch suggests the wire element has gone and it is likely needing a new screen.

Insurance won't pay out for this though, unless you pay a hefty excess. YMMV, but I don't know of any insurers who cover elements in windscreens.

duffbeerdrinker

If it's broken grid lines on the windscreen, you can buy a DIY repair kit.  I have no idea how successful they are or if it looks any good when repaired but it might help you avoid buying a complete windscreen.

Qactuar

How would it work with the wire element inside the glass?

duffbeerdrinker

A few years ago, someone I used to work with repaired his Ford Galaxy windscreen using one of those kits. The heated tracks were on the inside of the windscreen not inside the glass.