I'm sure there are an abundance of threads on this topic...

Most topics I've seen talk about one side of the heated windscreen not working (the drivers side, due to the wiper arm knocking the connector I believe?) Whereas mine just doesn't work at all! I didn't need it all summer obviously, but being up here in just about the top of Scotland and working at 6am every morning, the frost is very nearly on it's way and I will be needing it soon.

I know that there are two relays for the heated windscreen, but how would one know if they were indeed the problem? Is there also a fuse or fuses that I should check? The light on the switch does come on when it's pressed but I believe that just means that the switch works?

Also as a side note, my Air Conditioning (which Ford for some reason has called climate control) doesn't blow cold. What fuses should I be checking for that? I feel that it probably needs regassed or something but I'm hoping there's some sort of easy fix I can try...

My old MkIV Fiesta never had any problems at all let alone relatively minor glitches like this! Rust was the only thing that killed her in the end, but I think old vs new (or less old?) is a rant for another day.

For reference, the Focus in question is a Zetec Climate 56 plate (so pre-facelift).

Hi Joseph,

I am thinking back quite a distance here, as I used to own the Focus about 6 years ago or so! it was a 55 Zetec Climate, sea grey 1.6TDCi - so if its different I blame that!

I do not believe the wipers are anywhere near close enough to the connectors of the heated windscreen elements...

I had an issue where after the windscreen was replaced, the heated elements didnt work either. I called Ford, who called autoglass, who came to look at the problem. I watched as he took it all apart, and the connectors are under the scuttle, within an inch of the edge of the windscreen (if I recall correctly) but there is nothing between that and the motor for the wiper, so that shouldnt affect it.

On the nearside of course, the only thing that could hit it, is the passenger blade, but if that always only does a 90 degree travel and doesnt hit the scuttle, that should not be an issue.

When you press the heated button, do you hear a click in the car? does either side work? easiest way to tell, is to take a hot drink in the car and place one either side of the window, then run the heated screen. that should confirm it!

If one side works and not the other, it could be the connector hasnt been applied correctly, or needs to be bypassed. When Autoglass came to redo mine, they cut the connector block off as it was no good, soldered the wire to some aluminium foil, and soldered the foil to the ribbon for maximum connectivity. After that, it was a perfect windscreen!

As for the AC, if you can set a number on the dashboard, i.e. if you set from 17 - 27 degrees, then its electronically adjusted climate control (EATC), if its the old, "hot, cold, average" switch that you move around, then it technically is climate control, but not electrical! they just say Climate Control, cause it sounds cooler, and those who dont know can shout proudly to their friends that they have this uber cool feature!

Neither side works and there's no audible click when I press the button.

And yes, my "climate control" is the old hot, cold, average job!

Just had one done wire snapped on drivers side, autoglass said its never worked broke when the last windscreen was fitted.

New screens come with new ribbon connectors on them

It could just be that the elements have finally burn out in the windscreen or it could be a power supply issue, as stated the connections and under the bottom edge of the windscreen underneath the scuttle panel.

You don't have climate control you just have standard air con, climate control is different to standard air con. Climate control is controlled digitally and uses a sensor for the interior and also a sunlight sensor on the dashboard and regulates the air con automatically to keep the interior temperature at a set temp on your control panel, often with climate control you also get dual zone so you can have slightly differing temperatures for both driver side and passenger side.

On my old ZTT that had dual zone climate control but the handbook said to keep both zones no more then 5 degrees difference.

After taking a look at the engine fuse box, I see that there are two fuses AND a relay for the heated windscreen. The fuses are those weird pal fuses, they seem to be perfectly intact. With no real knowledge or means as to testing the relay, I decided to just replace it. No dice. So looks like the windscreen or the connections are just done. Haven't been brave enough to remove the scuttle plate and have a look (it's fiddly lol) but I do find it unlikely that both connections have failed, so I'm guessing that the elements have gone. Not gonna shell out for a replacement any time soon so I better stock up on de-icer!