Rear Heated Screen

A

AndyS

Member
 Gloucestershire
Just noticed today that the bottom two strips of the heated rear screen don't appear to be working.
The rest clears fairly quickly but the bottom two don't clear at all.
Is this normal or is it faulty?
If it is a fault, would it be worth trying to get sorted on warranty or best left alone?

Cheers,
Andy
 
If it's got a strip and it's not clearing then probably faulty. If still under warranty then, yeah, why not?
 
can you see a brake in the strip, if its a brake i would think warranty would be void

many years ago i repaired 1, if i recall, i used some type of solder paint/paste
 
Taz x said:
can you see a brake in the strip, if its a brake i would think warranty would be void

many years ago i repaired 1, if i recall, i used some type of solder paint/paste
Click to expand...

hallfrauds used to sell something to repair heated screens, tricky to access in the Z4 though.
 
er, just re read my previous reply, the repair i did was not on a Z4, from memory it could have been my old 1600XL capri (first ever car - oh sweet memories hehe)
 
Thanks for the replies.
I've only recently picked the car up from a dealership so think everything should work properly.
I just wondered how difficult it was to do and whether having it fixed would cause more problems than it was worth.
I haven't looked closely for broken strips yet but if the dealership won't do anything then I'll probably leave as is.
The failed strips don't obscure anything - it would just be nice to have it fully working!
Will give the dealership a ring today and report back later.
 
If it's a 'post facelift' Z4 and it's in warranty then definitely take it back, because the fix is...wait for it... a new roof complete! I know, been there, done that!
 
It's pre facelift, 04 plate so used car warranty rather than manufacturers.
Not sure if it'll be covered or not.
 
I would be surprised if they replaced this under warranty as it would require a complete roof as already stated. They may try and repair though.
 
theres nothing wrong with the car those strips are for the diversity aerial for the radio and for the remote central locking

hope this helps

Lewis
 
if there was a break in the elements you would hear interference through MW and LW stations that would come and go as you pressed the rear heated window button on and off
 
Hi Lewis,
Interested to read your response.
I'm talking about the lowest 2 strips on the heated rear window 'grid'.
I haven't tested MW/LW radio so don't know if that's affected - will check in a little while.
However, there seems to be some confusion about aerials.
Other posts, talking about replacing the standard aerial with a stubby, were suggesting the aerial/stubby was for MW/LW with a strip somewhere for FM. I guess this other strip could be part of the heated rear screen.
Can anyone else please confirm whether the lowest 2 strips on a pre facelift should actually clear the window or not?
Either that or confirm that the bottom 2 strips are indeed used for central locking and MW/LW or FM radio?

Thanks,
Andy
 
Gorbash12346 said:
theres nothing wrong with the car those strips are for the diversity aerial for the radio and for the remote central locking

hope this helps

Lewis
Click to expand...

Dont think that is the case on the Z4, my 3 series had them but that didnt have a aerial, and I would think the reception of it would be crap with the roof folded.
 
Yes - you guys are right that the rear screen elements have nothing to do with the aerial or aerial diversity on the Z4

Below expract from the BMW Tech Spec. shows it to be a combination of rod aerial and rear bumper aerial.


BMW aerial systems
The radio aerials for AM/FM are described in the following.
The other aerials are described in the respective
chapters.
The E85 features the following aerial systems:
- Rod aerial for AM/FM
- FM aerial in rear bumper
- GPS aerial for navigation system

Rod aerial
The rod aerial is a common part from the E46 convertible. The aerial is designed for AM/FM
reception and additionally features an integrated telephone aerial.
The rod aerial is mounted on the rear left side panel. The aerial amplifier is screwed to the
aerial from below.
The rod aerial consists of the aerial rod, aerial head and aerial base with integrated aerial
amplifier.

Aerial diversity
The E85 features aerial diversity for the higher grade radios. Aerial diversity comprises following
components:
- Rod aerial with amplifier
- FM aerial in bumper
- FM aerial amplifier
- Aerial diversity
The aerial amplifier and aerial diversity are fitted in the rear left of the luggage compartment.
The second FM aerial is located on the rear left in the bumper.
Components
The aerial diversity system includes the rod aerial with amplifier and the FM aerial in the
bumper.
Rod aerial
The rod aerial is identical to that of the E46 convertible. The rod aerial is designed for the
following wavebands:
• AM 522 kHz - 1710 kHz
• FM 87.5 MHz - 108 MHz

FM aerial in bumper
The FM aerial consists of a 73 cm long
line. The FM aerial is mounted in the
bumper on adjustable clips. The FM
aerial is adapted precisely to the vehicle.
For this reason, no
changes must be made to the aerial.
The FM aerial is connected to an aerial
amplifier.

Aerial diversity
In the E85, 2 physical aerials are connected to the radio aerial diversity, i.e. the rod aerial
and the aerial in the bumper. The aerial diversity function switches over to another aerial as
soon as the system undershoots a defined threshold. Changeover takes place in such a
way that no interruption can be heard. Depending on the reception situation, reception on
both aerials simultaneously is also possible.
 
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