Heated Glass Element: Service and Repair

Repairing heating elements in the rear windshield

Localizing an open-circuit




Try to find the heating element(s) that are not functioning.
Determine the precise position of the open-circuit. Use a test lamp or a multimeter as follows:
Switch on the ignition.
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 lamp "crocodile clamp" or the multimeter terminal pins on the input cable terminal on the left or right side of the rear windshield.
Fault-trace from the opposite side of the heating element by moving 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 windshield 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 windshield. Mark any open-circuits before repairing the heating elements.

Replacing the rear windshield
Do not repair a heating element if the open-circuit is in excess of 2 mm.
Replace the windshield if the open-circuit exceeds 2 mm. See Rear windshield Replacing The Rear Windshield.

Repairing heating elements

Cleaning heating elements




Switch off the rear windshield 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 marker template




Secure the blocking template with the slits over the metal wire.
Remove the template if the metal wire is smaller than the slit in the template.
Adjust the width of the slit to a suitable size.

Applying the paint




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.

Note! Shake the conductive paint container before use.

Clean with thinner.
Allow the repair to dry for 30 minutes before removing the template.
Wait 24 hours before using the rear windshield defroster.