ThePenguin

I just picked up a 2011 Forester over the weekend with the All Weather Package. I can see the copper colored wires under where the wipers park themselves but can't seem to find a way to activate the windshield deicer or heated mirrors. I have tried the button for the rear window defroster and ran it for about ten minutes while driving, but when I got home, I couldn't feel any difference in heat from where the copper colored lines on the windshield are compared to anywhere else on the windshield.

Am I trying to activate them incorrectly or perhaps are they automatically activated when the temperature reaches a certain temperature. Also, is there a way to test the deicer and heated mirrors besides waiting for some snow or sub-freezing temperatures?

Thank you in advance.

thegerb50

You are turning them on the right way. Idk about testing them though


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for4me

You're right; the rear window heater switch turns everything on at once.

The glass should only warm to about 100 F. This is barely above body temp, so you won't feel anything. A dealer could test for you if they have thermographic film, which changes color at the specific temperature. (sort of like those old mood rings, remember those?)

You could possibly try one of those infrared heat sensing guns that you point at surfaces.

The Sub

If the deicer only heats to 100f as you say, you should definately feel it.

Your internal body temp may be 98.6 or so...but the outside of your finger tips will be way less...say 78 or 80f. i just checked it with the IR temp reader[such as you suggested]. Which, you are right to suggest that IR temp reader...that will give you a good check on the temp.

As far as testing it tho...I am not certain.

Pour some cold water on that part of the windshield and see if it evaps faster over the coils...

ThePenguin

Thread Starter

Thanks for the advice/ideas guys. I don't have an IR thermometer but have a multimeter with a temp probe. Just went out to the car, turned the ignition to run and defroster button on, let it run for 5 minutes or so then checked the mirrors, rear window, and front window. Both the mirrors and rear window immediately jumped several degrees over ambient temperature (sun has been down for several hours and I checked temp on surfaces prior to even unlocking it) but the windshield coils didn't budge a bit. Tried turning the Foz on and letting it run a bit with the button pushed and didn't change the results.

Tomorrow I'm going to call the dealership and see what the can advise and see if it is still under warranty to see if they can fix it.

B&B

Have you compared it to the back window? The windshield should be similar. I don't think you'll notice it working till you have some snow or frost on it.

darius8

Just put some ice cubes on the windshield.

ThePenguin

Thread Starter

I did. When the probe touched the rear window the temperature reading jumped about ten degrees within a few seconds but when touched to the front glass there was no change in temperature.

Hopefully we will be getting some snow tonight or tomorrow night, been wanting to see how it will do in some snow.

ThePenguin

Thread Starter

I would try that, but I'm not sure what it would help with since there would be no other ice on the windshield to compare it to.

ThePenguin

Thread Starter

So... All of a sudden, today the windshield deicer decided to work. Not sure what to make of it, but I'm going to watch it over the next week to see if I still need to take it in. Loose connection possibly?

ThePenguin

Thread Starter

Sorry that it's taken me so long to update this but when I took the Foz to the dealer they were unable to get the windshield deicer to work either. They ended up taking the dash apart and a bunch of other stuff only to contact a manufacture rep and find out that the deicer part of the system will not function until ambient temperature is below 41 degrees Fahrenheit. This is not stated in the owners manual or even in their service manual. They were able to force the system on and confirm that it's working.

Riehle

Interesting. I also have the deicer coils where the wipers sit on my 05.
I haven't tested them yet, but will keep in mind your info.
It does make sense that it couldn't be activated until a certain temp,
But it should be stated in the manual or somewhere else