ford focus 06 heated windscreen failure explanation

Many owners complain that their front heated windscreen fails on the DRIVERS side. It is not simply a failure as ford has you believe, insisting you buy a new screen, its a MANUFACTURING fault, where the windscreen wiper assembly hits and interferes with the windscreen heater cabling every 1-2 seconds when the wipers are on, eventually causing failure on the drivers side. I have complained to Ford, but we need more people to complain to ford, watchdog etc. Would compotent people please look at their fords around this age and confirm the problem. Indeed the face lifted version of this focus has a different windscreen wiper design. Ford deny this is a fault, they of course dont want to recall the cars as it would cost them thousands if they admit this mistake in design.

Apologies that I keep refering to REAR screen, i mean front screen.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• windscreen
• Ford Focus
• Failure (band)
• fail
• heated
• watchdog

[kodiak517]

to GlasstecAutomotive

Then please explain why they are failing! The product is clearly not robust enough base on the number of problems.

[GlasstecAutomotive]

@kodiak517 By 'failing' I'm assuming you're referring to the terminals breaking free? If they are properly clipped into the saddles (on the car) the problem does not exist.

[k992511]

If you read the description i apologise that i refer to it as a rear screen. Thats not the point. I have also spoken to Ford engineers at 2 garages, who ADMIT that it fouls with the wiper mechanism and that they try to 'DUCK TAPE' it out the way. Great engineering from Ford main dealers!

[k992511]

I have also spoken to Ford engineers at 2 garages, who ADMIT that it fouls with the wiper mechanism and that they try to 'DUCK TAPE' it out the way. Great engineering from Ford main dealers!

[lotitomj]

Typical Ford junk.

[viewhistory1]

I have same prob with my Fiesta ST, been like it for over a year when i had a new windscreen put in and then the other day both sides cleared! but then the next time back to norm. I'll check tomorrow if its the wind-wipers casing the prob. thanks for the vid!

[GlasstecAutomotive]

@GlasstecAutomotive /... a cable tie would be a better solution than Duck Tape (which will only last for a limited period while the adhesive remains sticky). I've fitted hundreds of these screens and am yet to be called back for the problem you are trying to highlight. It IS a problem that is common, but NOT by way of design.

Happy to help. Kind regards, Paul.

[GlasstecAutomotive]

@k992511 Perhaps the ribbon could have been positioned to the centre; perhaps the wiper mech/motor assembly could have been designed and positioned better. The net result is that the 'potential' problem has been accounted for by way of a plastic cable 'saddle' which keeps the feed away from harm. If the ribbon has not been articulated correctly, it will creat a loop and thus will not sit right. If you're near me, I'll gladly show you (FOC). If the bit is missing... /cont

[k992511]

@GlasstecAutomotive Im not here to argue or question your window expertise so i apolofgise BUT: If it was designed like this than the designer should b fired. My guess is its a generic screen and fits other models with different wiper mechanisms. I know people with other frd models and their screens don go, different wiper mechanism! Its good business for ford and screen fitters to have screens fail. Where do you mention the simple fix, cause id love my screen to work again and not fail again!)

[GlasstecAutomotive]

@k992511 Now that I've explained it to you, perhaps you could pass on the missing link to those two Ford engineers at two garages too? BTW, I don't think they're in a position to 'admit' anything; they may agree with you but I don't (and I think the use of Duck Tape should raise questions about what kind of 'engineers' these fellas really are).

It's a simple fix and done correctly, eliminates possibility of any damage. Sure, design could be a lot better, but this is not a design fault

[k992511]

If you read the description i apologise that i refer to it as a rear screen. Thats not the point. I have also spoken to Ford engineers at 2 garages, who ADMIT that it fouls with the wiper mechanism and that they try to 'DUCK TAPE' it out the way. Great engineering from Ford main dealers!