Hi everyone,

I would like to know if it is possible to swap a non heated windshield with a heated one?

I have the module with the buttons that goes in to the center console and I can get a fairly cheap heated windscreen.

Is all the wiring already there?
If so I believe I need the relay's as well.

Does anyone have done this swap before?

 

Yes, I did it on mine 2 years ago, works great. Its second best x300 upgrade after electrochromatic mirror.

You'll need the extra wiring and since x300 one is no longer available you'll need to use the XJ8 one with some modifications. All details starting here:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...2/#post1492690

 

That's sweet.

The windshield im looking at is from a '95 x305.

Good to know i need that wiring loom.

Anything else I should know before performing the upgrade?
Since you have already done it, maybe you can give me some good advice.

I'm affraid removing the windshield on both cars. On the donor car i think i can just cut the rubber seal around the windshield with a knife, yes?

 

No idea on removing and fitting the windscreen, I had mine done through insurance autoglass, so only had to sort out the wiring and panel itself and all details re this are in the link I posted already.

Good luck!

 

NO - the windscreen glazing rubber only secures the chrome or black finisher. To remove the windscreen you will need an angled hot knife to work between the aperture and the rear of the glass (arrowed green).



After cleaning all the old sealant from the windscreen and the vehicle aperture, you will need a "Betaseal Sealant Kit" to bond the windscreen into the recipient vehicle.

The windscreen (arrowed red) itself is bonded to the vehicle body (arrowed blue). A bead of sealant is run round the perimter of the aperture and the assembled windscreen/glazing rubber/finisher (arrowed orange) pressed into it. The sealant is usually heat cured by passing a current through an embedded wire in it.

I used to run a factory manufacturing vehicle windscreens and also have a reasonable amount of experience in fitting them. However, I wouldn't consider doing a removal/refit job myself as the risk of breakage is extremely high.

Graham

 

My parts car just so happen to have the heated windshield option and with the information here I should be able to remove it from one car and put it on the other. Not sure if the parts car actually has the windshield but it looks like the connectors should be in the engine compartment. Just need to start digging.

 

I acquired the cable for the windshield. It was a fairly easy job to get it out.

 

Really....fairly easy...So my parts car I i got it all disconnected under the hood. Now I am at the big round rubber grommet on the firewall.....Now what. I looked at the kick board and it seems that all the wires go into a big mess of wires and without cutting that out not sure how to get them out. Any pictures?

 

Put a screwdriver near the edges of that rubber seal, and you can flip it out.
Look at my photo, you see that its just a seal.

I advise pulling the cable from in to out, if you have someone that can help you pull the wire so you can work the connectors through the hole.

 

So on my parts car it has one. I went to the drivers side floor and it looks as if the cable goes into a nest of other cables. Did you have to pull that away from all the other cables?

 

If you remove the plastic cover on left heel side, you see the cable harnas.

Remove the relays from the cable. They can be too big to remove through the firewall.

Remove a part of the carpet to access the harnass that goes through the firewall.

Use a cutter to remove the tie wraps that hold the harnass in place.

Now open the hood, make room to access that rubber seal. Put the tip of your screwdriver near the edge of the seal and pull it out.

Now work the cable from inside to outside and pull it through the hole in the firewall.

 

Got it installed. Thanks for your help

 

Nice! Did you also install the windshield yet?

 

Not yet that is next

 

I got the new windshield in yesterday.

Connected all the cables with relays and switches.

When i push the button on the console I hear a relay click from the new cable boom I installed. However its hot outside and i can not tell of the heated part of the windshield works.

Is there a way to test this? Multimeter on the connectors and measure the ohms?

 

A less scientific but easier and quicker check is some steam from a kettle on the inside of the glass. It clears first from directly over the vertical heating elements.

Graham

 

This is on my 'not a priority' list .... but my windshield is getting pretty well sand-blasted after 22 years, so I've been thinking I may add a heated windshield when the day comes to replace it.

I know we've discussed this before, but once you get the heated windshield installed, I'd like to get some feedback on how visible the heating wires are when driving especially if they sparkle in bright sunlight.

.

 

In the sun and daylight you don't see them unless you put your face on the windshield and put your focus on it. In the night however I notice the street lights become a bit glossy.

My old windshield was sand blasted also after 23 years. I really wanted to replace it, so I found a heated one for a good price. I made an appointment to replace it by a mobile glass company, a week before installing, it developed a sudden crack, going from the middle of the windshield where the mirror sits all over my window. So i guess it was good timing ;-) haha

Side note: I payed 150 Euros for everything including placing the new windshield. Excellent price if i can say so myself.