This is my first Winter with my 2005 Jaguar S-Type. First issue was the EPB Fault. That's basically a non-issue now as we re-calibrated and so far so good. The newest issue is when I first start the car the snowflake goes on the dashboard due to the cold but I also get my Rear Defroster automatically turned on. I have to shut it off manually. Is this related? Or an electric glitch? Please advise anyone who knows about this. Thanks in advance.

 

Joe,


I've moved your post from the General Tech section to the S-Type section were it will receive more visibility/greater response from members with the same model


regards,
Steve

 

That's a normal function. If your car was fitted with an electric front screen defroster, that would turn itself on also.

 

Mine does all that and heats the door mirrors as well. Hooray

I gather it heats the washers, too, though I can't say I've noticed.

Oh, wait, I don't get a snowflake - I think that's other markets than UK.

 

Interesting but I wonder if this can be changed by the dealer?

My 2005 had the snowflake this morning on the dash but did not turn the rear defroster on.
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Probably can.

 

Interesting....I get the snowflake at 4 C and below and only my front screen activates automatically, but not the rear. However only a few elements on the front screen work. It's time for a stone to hit it I think....

 

Interesting that you get a snowflake and JagV8 doesn't despite both being in the UK. Canada didn't get the 'flake whereas I understand the US did. (?)

BTW- there's no need to turn the defrosters off manually. They are on times and will go off automatically.

 

Maybe mine snowflake's broken

 

^^+1
Be patient. As Mikey said, the rear defrost goes off automatically. Seems programmed to come on at/below certain temp.

It's best to just set your HVAC system to "Auto", adjust to whatever temp you like, and let it do what it is programmed to do without messing with it.

 

Mine is a California car now in BC Canada. Not the coldest place on the continent, but cold enough.

My defroster has NEVER tuned on automatically, and when I turn it on manually the rear defroster also turns on. Neither has ever turned off automatically, as far as I can tell.

I thought all that was normal until I read this thread. Now I wonder if the system is actually dealer-programmable.

 

I think that this should be fixed immediately. How else could a person possibly know that it's cold out?

 

Last time I was in Salt Lake City the clue was the crack half way across the windscreen, is that a standard feature?
I think the snowflake would be better.

 

I'm not sure we really need a snowflake symbol here as it's cold too often

 

My 05 4.2 UK vehicle has the snow flake. I bought the car just before Christmas it has hardly been off since :-( It comes on at 4 degrees but if it goes on it does not go off again until about 7 degrees. I hate it. I hate the winter too. I want heat, I want sun, I want barbecues in the garden. I want to be able to fix all the annoying things on my car without freezing my bits off.
Oh, I nearly forgot, I have to turn my rear heater on maually but it comes on automatically when I select defrost on the a/c.

 

Really does sound like mine's broken

Oh well, I don't care.

 

I agree! I learned the hard way, I always thought the climate control was "acting up", until I just sat down and read the Driver's Handbook and left it in Auto and set it to 70*F, and wow, it actually works, and yes the a/ c aircon is supposed to run year 'round! ( Now only if I can turn off that damn burning oil scent! LOL) ... Will replace those IMT o rings in springtime...BTW Yes, the rear defrost is automatic, I thought that was a glitch too, but where is this elusive snowflake?

 

The presence of the snow flake feature seems to be inconsistent and one of those situations where it's best not to say 'always' or 'never'. Can't say that I've heard of a car here in Canada that has a 'flake, other than maybe the driver himself.

BTW- the AC light illuminating on the panel does not mean necessarily that the compressor is running at the time. The light simply means that the system is 'armed' and will engage/disengage as it sees fit.