Hi folks,

Yesterday I used the heated screen button on my mk3 focus to demist it. The outside temp was around 5C so not exactly freezing, after a few minutes a crack appeared in the lower left corner and within half an hour had grown to about 8 inches long.

I have arranged for Autoglass to replace the screen but it's rather annoying as I only bought the car on Nov.5th.

Just wondering if anyone else has had the same thing happen, though it may have been a flaw in the screen.

Colin.

Was there any evidence of existing damage close to the area where the 'screen cracked ?

Hi Mark,

No sign of anything at all, when I bought the car I was all over it looking for any damage or scratches. I can't see anything near the area even now.

Although I have no reason to suspect the glass may have been replaced previously, is there any way to tell whether or not it's the original windscreen, such as codes printed on it?

Colin.

Does it have the word - Ford - on it ?

Not sure, will check tomorrow.

Thanks for replying.

Ide take it to the dealers its possible theres a fault as the heated screen shouldn't get hot enough to crack the glass that suggests it got very hot very quick too quick or there was as fault in the screen either way get onto the dealer about it I'm assuming you only had it on to demist the window nit for any length if time or constantly on and off

Ide take it to the dealers its possible theres a fault as the heated screen shouldn't get hot enough to crack the glass that suggests it got very hot very quick too quick or there was as fault in the screen either way get onto the dealer about it I'm assuming you only had it on to demist the window nit for any length if time or constantly on and off

This, but before you take it to a dealer find the fuse and check its rating, for the window to have got hot enough to crack it it would have been drawing a huge amount of power, the fuse should have blown, of course fuses shouldn't blow for no reason either so something would be wrong to have caused it, the concern would be, if it is a wrong fuse, your new window might go the same way

Checked on the windscreen today and it does have the Ford logo on it.

I will check the fuse condition and rating, the switch was on for about 3-4 minutes at the most.

If there seems to be any fault I will take it to the dealer for a check.

Thanks all.

As the 'screen has the Ford logo on it, it's likely to be the original

Interestingly mine cracked in the same area due to a fail on my part, not a massive crack though. I have since used the heated screen several times even below freezing and the crack hasn't grown yet! Hoping it lasts until next year when I'll have the funds to replace it. I would say there was a defect in your screen to have gone like that, possibly a small stone chip in the crack somewhere? Or a chip/crack under the wiper arm from failing during blade replacement lol?

Are you still driving with that cracked screen Tom ?

Is the heated screen still working ok, clearing both sides with no bits not clearing?

Are you still driving with that cracked screen Tom ?

I've been assured it's not illegal or an MOT failure by a few people in person (looks worse in pics I think) so for now yes. I know it's not ideal structurally but if I roll the car I'll have bigger things to worry about lol, it's also only ever me in the car, no children or anything. December isn't a cheap month so hoping it lasts until next year when I can use some xmas money to replace it! If it cracks right across in the meantime then I'll have to replace it but that'll cause money issues in other areas.

Thank you everyone for the interest in this post.

I have looked very closely with a magnifying glass at the point where the crack originated from, I can see a couple of incredibly tiny marks in the glass at this point which leads me to believe that the screen may have been hit by a small stone or similar.

Maybe switching on the heater element caused stress in the glass resulting in the damage. I haven't tried to switch it on since this happened in case the screen went altogether because I've had to use the car.

New screen being fitted tomorrow, so i will check everything electrical before this is done.

Thanks again all,

Colin.

As I suspected tbh - it doesn't take much of an impact to weaken a 'screen

did you claim off your insurance for replacement screen???

did you claim off your insurance for replacement screen???

Yes, I have windscreen cover on my policy.

Im hoping mine cracks... It has a rather ugly chip on the left hand side, and if it cracked, I would not be too disappointed having to fork out for a new windscreen, where the elements actually work properly. lol

Had the windscreen replaced by Autoglass, I have to say they did an excellent job of it.

The fitter was very pleasant and even tested the heated screen function before leaving.

I am very pleased,

Colin.