How do I know if I have the heated winshield?

Broughamfanatic · #1 (**permalink**) 04-12-06, 04:58 PM

I'm fixing to bid on a new Climate Control Head for my 1996 Eldorado, but first I need to make sure it's compatible. I've compared photos of the item on Ebay with the unit installed in my car and they both look alike. It's merely a cosmetic problem with my controller; it is a little scratched up and the white letters on the buttons are faded. BTW, where can I find the Service Parts Identification Label on the car? -Thanks

Krashed989 · #2 (**permalink**) 04-12-06, 05:18 PM

Heated widshield means it has defrost. If there is a button for defrost then you have a heated windshield.

caddydaddy · #3 (**permalink**) 04-12-06, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krashed989

Heated widshield means it has defrost. If there is a button for defrost then you have a heated windshield.

No, the heated windshield is totally different. The heated windshield composed of a thin layer between the windshield glass that heated the windshield from DC power. The heated windshield cars had a high output alternator and a large controller, usually on the strut tower cross bar on the passenger side. There also was a different logo on the activation button on the climate control center for it.

WOTMODE · #4 (**permalink**) 04-13-06, 01:17 AM

my 95 has heated windsheild. The top left button says "de-ice"

WOTMODE · #5 (**permalink**) 04-13-06, 01:20 AM

While on the subject, does anyone know where to find a replacement heated wind sheild? GM no longer makes them, and the aftermarket places I tried couldn't find one either. After mine cracked and was replaced with standard glass, I miss it alot.

NoFear365@yahoo.com · #6 (**permalink**) 04-13-06, 07:48 AM

I learned that the hard way when I had to replace the alternator in my ETC. I assumed I had a heated windshield. Turns out I don't. There are 2 different alternators used depending on whether or not you have that option. One (if I'm not mistaken) is 130 amps (w/o heated windsheild) and the other is 140 amps.

The parts distributor almost didn't take the 140 back from me... I had to convince him that there was nothing I could do with it because the hookups were actually different than what my old alternator had. He confirmed it with his boss and they exchanged it for me.

Broughamfanatic · #7 (**permalink**) 04-23-06, 01:44 AM

I did some research, and found my 96 ETC does not have the heated windshield, RPO Code C50. I accidentally found the RPO Code Sticker underneath the spare tire cover in the trunk.

But that's right, the alternators for the ones with heated windshield are different. The connector is not the same.

My car also has code KG9, meaning 140 Amp alternator.

A list of GM RPO codes can be found at angelfire.com/ny2/96transam/rpocodes.html.