I have a 2013 ford Fiesta. There is a small device adhered to the top of my windscreen which has fallen away and will not stick back. I assume it is something to do with the defrost mechanism as I can see what appears to be fine wires leading from the adhesive patch left on the screen. I am therefore reluctant to try to add an adhesive over the top of the existing sticker on the screen. Could anyone please advise me on a solution? Would I be safe adding another adhesive on top of the adhesive patch or do I have to replace the screen?

Could you post a picture?

The screen defroster takes a huge amount of power.  There is an earth point at the top of the screen but it's a thick copper ribbon.  I think your device will just be the GPS module, which falls off regularly on Fiestas and can just be re-attached with a new adhesive patch.

Hello Toms. Many thanks for your reply. Am I right then in assuming the device is just a controller for the defroster and nothing else or does it have a GPS use? Would you believe, whilst waiting for a reply, I spoke to both the Ford Motor Company who did not know what it was for and told me to contact a Ford dealer who also did not know what it was for.

Without a picture I can't confirm unfortunately.  I'm not aware of any windscreen control up there.  That's all done through the BCM (fusebox).  The GPS module is purely a satellite connection for emergency assistance.  Looks like this.

 

4 hours ago, Verve said:

Would you believe, whilst waiting for a reply, I spoke to both the Ford Motor Company who did not know what it was for and told me to contact a Ford dealer who also did not know what it was for.

Yes I can believe that with out seeing a photo of the item they would have no idea. 

Surely, Ford must know what they have installed in their various models?

Would you expect a Tesco shelf filler to know the ingredients of every item they sell?  

'Ford' is just a brand name, each staff member only has a small job within that brand.  And most are only doing it for the money, getting away with the bare minimum they need to know.

22 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

  'Ford' is just a brand name, each staff member only has a small job within that brand.  And most are only doing it for the money, getting away with the bare minimum they need to know.

When we got our fiesta in 2010, Seeing a strange black dome on the dash near the screen, got us asking what is it for, must have asked 6 people at the dealership and none knew what the dome was for, even a mechanic didn't know, a couple of years on I was told it's the sensor if it rains or getting dark.

4 hours ago, Verve said:

Surely, Ford must know what they have installed in their various models?

If you would really like to know what the mystery item is, then post a photo here and I'm sure there will be many who can give you the answer.

Hello. I have had confirmation that the item in question is indeed part of the windscreen defrost system and I have now been able to fix it back

On 2/10/2026 at 8:38 PM, Verve said:

Hello. I have had confirmation that the item in question is indeed part of the windscreen defrost system and I have now been able to fix it back

Took you a while to answer back! Must work for Royal Mail.