Dispute with RAC Autowindscreens

[gorselands]

Seasons Greetings,

RAC A/W fitted what they tell me is a Mercedes Orig/P rear screen. I paid. The old one was delaminating. As the photo shows it's not working properly.

RAC A/W agreed to look at it and tested the feed with a bulb which they told me 'Lit up' so the problem was with the screen; however the manager was not prepared to replace the screen 'cos it was too expensive. (Still under 3 year gaurantee).

I spoke to head office customer services who rang back and said they had spoken to the branch who told them there was nothing wrong with the screen, the car's electrics are faulty! (Both head office and the branch have similar photo to above.) They said I will need to take it to an MB garage have the electrics tested and get a letter from MB saying it's the screen that's faulty
(£100 +vat which, if I prove the screen is faulty, they will reimburse)

Before I do this I would like to cover my bets so advice and help much appreciated. The photo was taken after 15 mins of demister on, engine running. Irrespective of time this is as good as it gets. Switch works and switches off automatically after about 10 mins.

Questions: Is there one live feed to the screen or, if it is looped, are there two? and maybe one isn't working?
Are any resistors in the screen so that it heats progressively?
Could moisture have got in round the seal and be shorting some off the elements?

Is there an alternative test other than a light bulb ie voltmeter, resistance and if so what readings should I get? I believe the connectors are under one of the C post int. trim.
And finally, do you think the screen is faulty or could it be the electrics?

Many thanks

Have a good Christmas and Happy New Year

Mike

1993 220ce

 

[television]

Hi Mike, you only have 1 feed to the rear window, if only part of it is working then the fault is in the screen and no where else

 

[gorselands]

Thanks Malcolm, is he feed on the passenger side and is it worh testing it myself? Though I would guess that if part of it is working there is sufficient current.

Mike

 

[rf065]

RAC Autowindscreens replaced a windscreen on my last car, at first it looked fine but during the next few days, driving in direct sunlight, the windscreen looked filthy. No amount of cleaning helped and it became apparent that there was dust trapped between the layers of glass.
The branch that fitted the screen ordered another and replaced it without question. I am surprised you have not had the same service. Perhaps visiting another branch might get a better result?

Russ

 

[gorselands]

Hi Russ, It might be worth a try.

Thanks

Mike

 

[television]

Thanks Malcolm, is he feed on the passenger side and is it worh testing it myself? Though I would guess that if part of it is working there is sufficient current.

Mike

Yes the feed does go in there, if you have 12 volts when its on, thats it, there is no more to be tested

 

[gorselands]

That's brilliant Malcolm, thanks again and have a good one.

Mike

 

[carabind]

I'm not certain their screens are original. They replaced a windscreen on a peugeot for em, which the dealer then declared "spuriuos" as the pegs holding the rain sensor came loose - this meant yet another windsreen had to be fitted, but by the dealer this time. Just glad is was a company car.
I think you're being given the runaround here. If I were in your shoes, I would trackdown the MD of RAC windscreens (or teh RAC) - google them and look for teh report and accounts , and write to him with all the evidence, facts etc telling him that unless they rectify within 7-10 days , you will get the job done poperly by MB, and take them to the small claim court to recover the costs

If they don't do what you ask, or fob you off, write again in ten days time telling them you will be taking them to the small claims court.
For the time and cost of two ecorded letters, it should move things up a bit sharper. They were quick enough to take your money, after all!!!

 

[kth286]

well done carabind

I would use a similar approach. We not not need to put up with such shoddy workmanship.

 

[brandwooddixon]

The screen is obviously faulty. No amount of testing will show it as you will always be able to get a current to pass through it unless none of the elements work.

Apart from the labour involved I don't see what the depot manager is concerned about, he can easily return it to the manufacturers as faulty and demand a replacement.

If it's and original and not pattern part then it will be marked with the MB logo somewhere along the bottom, along with the MB part number.

 

[gorselands]

Thank you all for your replies.

I was thinking of taking it up the chain and trying to get them to agree to have Mercedes fit it. This morning I got this email from customer services:"I HAVE SPOKE TO THE FITTING CENTRE AND THAY SAY THERE IS NO FAULT WITH THE GLASS AS THE ELEMENT IS WORKING BUT NOT POWERFULL ENOUGH TO CLEAR ALL THE SCREEN

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND IT PROVES TO BE THE SCREEN AT FAULT WE WILL REIMBURSE THE COST OFF THE TEST AND SORT OUT THE RECTIFICATION."

Interestingly they copied it to Esure, my insurance company, maybe it's their's
as well. I can't see getting much resolved at this time of the year.

All the best

Mike

 

[dieselman]

Before condemning the screen you need to ensure there is a good 12v being passed across the terminals. Measure both the positive and earth connections to ensure a full drop across the screen.

If the connections are not good enough then 12v will be passed to the screen but there may not be sufficient curent to continue to pass 12v so all the elements will not heat.

An automotive electrician would be able to test this for you probably a lot cheaper than an MB dealer.

Has this screen ever worked properly?

 

[gorselands]

Thanks dieselman. No, the screen has never worked properly. I tested the passenger side connection and was getting 13.77 volts. Should I be getting that out of the other side of the screen?

Mike

 

[st13phil]

No, the other side of the screen should be at ground potential (i.e. 0 volts when measured between the terminal and a ground point). Any significant voltage indicates an earthing fault.

 

[gorselands]

thanks st13phil, Now I am lost. The connector to the screen was carring 14 Volts, where is the earth to measure, on the same side? I am not sure what dieselman means by full drop and what this would equate to in voltage. Should they both be reading the same voltage?

Mike

 

[David Nock]

RAC Autowindscreens did a 1st class job on front screen of my CLK. The earth to measure from is any bright/bare metal on the car. Ground is American term for earth by the way. So the other side of your screen should read 0 volts to earth or thereabouts.

 

[gorselands]

Hi David,

I suppose not all branches are the same as they are franchised. The guys did a great job of fitting it and are very friendly. It's the screen that's the problem.

Mike

 

[gorselands]

Sorry David, missed the last part,, Thanks

 

[dieselman]

You need to ensure you measure from the actual screen terminals, not the cables feeding the screen.
One side should be approximately 12V and the other terminal should be 0V, both with respect to car body.
Measure the resistance of the earth terminal with respect to car body and the 12v contact from screen to the wire connection.

I suspect the screen is faulty, look closely for broken tracks.

 

[gorselands]

Thanks again dieselman

mike