Heated Glass Element: Service and Repair

Repairing heating elements in the rear windshield

Localizing an open-circuit




Determine the precise position of the open-circuit. Use a test light or a multimeter as follows:
Switch on the ignition.

Note! Turn off any lighting as "day running" lights etc, to minimize current draw from the battery

Set the light switch to the off position or the parking position. This is to minimize the draw from the car battery.
Switch on the rear windshield defroster.
Position the test light "Aligator clamp" or the multimeter terminal probs on the input wire terminal on the left or right side of the rear windshield.
Fault-trace from the opposite side of the heating element. Move the point of measurement.
Only fault-trace half the width of the windshield to determine whether the test lamp lights or the multimeter gives a reading.
If the test lamp goes out or the multimeter does not give a reading, the point of the open-circuit has been passed. Move the point of measurement back. Determine the point of the open-circuit.
Use tape to mark the position of the open-circuit.
The set point of measurement must be moved to the other side of the rear window to measure the other side. This also applies if there is more than one open-circuit on the same heating element.
Fault-trace the entire rear window. Mark any open-circuits before repairing the heating elements.

Replacing the rear window
Do not repair a heating element if the open-circuit is in excess of 2 mm (0.170").
If the open-circuit is greater than 2 mm (0.0170"), the rear window must be replaced. See VIDA: or Service Manual: Section 8 (81.84), Body and glass, 850, 1992-.

Repairing heating elements

Cleaning heating elements




Switch off the rear window defroster. Switch off the ignition.
Carefully scrape the metal wire clean with the point of a knife on both sides of the open-circuit.
Clean the point of repair. Use window cleaner.

Positioning the blocking template




Secure the blocking template with the slits over the metal wire.
If wire is narrower than the slit in the template, cut template in half and push it together until it has the same width as the wire.
Secure the template with tape.

Applying the paint





Note! Shake the conductive paint container before use.

Apply 3 layers of conductive paint at the point of the open-circuit. Wait 5 minutes between each layer.
Apply the paint 5 mm to each side of the open-circuit.
Clean off any excessive conductive paint.
Leave the repair to dry for 30 minutes before removing the template.
Wait 24 hours before using the rear windshield defroster.