P38A Retrofit heated front screen

LR-hobbs · 2025-05-04T21:04:44+0100

Hello all
I'm looking into upgrades for my new P38, and was wondering if it's possible to fit the heated front screen to a non heated like we did in our old discovery 2.

I've checked the fuse box in the engine bay and both relays are missing, however there are wires going into the slots in the bottom of the fuse box.

Is this as simple as fit the relays , fit the switches , plug the screen in and get it programmed.

Or is this a pipe dream.

Cheers

kermit_rr · 2025-05-04T22:04:03+0100

I thought so p38s had a heated screen!! Is there a space for the relays in the fusebox? What year is it? Do you have the button on the hvac?

LR-hobbs · 2025-05-04T22:05:47+0100

kermit_rr said:
I thought so p38s had a heated screen!! Is there a space for the relays in the fusebox? What year is it? Do you have the button on the hvac?

Yes there are two spaces to fit the relays in the fuse box
It's a 1999 4.0
And no button on the HVAC

kermit_rr · 2025-05-04T22:07:30+0100

Ok so you'll need a new hvac unit as a minimum.. unless you diy it

LR-hobbs · 2025-05-04T22:27:31+0100

kermit_rr said:
Ok so you'll need a new hvac unit as a minimum.. unless you diy it

That should be easy enough, do you know where the wiring would be for the screen? Same place as the discovery 2?

kermit_rr · 2025-05-04T22:32:55+0100

I don't know.. others will I'm sure

LR-hobbs · 2025-05-04T22:59:36+0100

kermit_rr said:
I don't know.. others will I'm sure

no worries mate ,

Mark Piercy · 2025-05-05T07:50:49+0100

Does it have the option on the hevac? It should have a heated I think

Mark Piercy · 2025-05-05T07:52:01+0100

If so the plugs are hidden under the metal plates at the borrom corners of the windscreen just above the pollen filters.

Datatek · 2025-05-05T08:04:37+0100

LR-hobbs said:
That should be easy enough, do you know where the wiring would be for the screen? Same place as the discovery 2?

The wiring may not be present at the HEVAC.

LR-hobbs · 2025-05-05T08:38:04+0100

Mark Piercy said:
Does it have the option on the hevac? It should have a heated I think

It doesn't have the button

LR-hobbs · 2025-05-05T08:38:54+0100

Datatek said:
The wiring may not be present at the HEVAC.

Is it a separate multi plug ?

Flossie · 2025-05-05T09:34:25+0100

I guess if ALL the wiring loom is there then its is a goer, replacement screen, hvac, relays. But if not, you could use a stand alone hws kit like you can get for defenders or make one up. Spare blank on the top consul might be suitable for the switch. I'd check under the plenum for the two feed wires first, costs nowt but time and if no wires are there, go for a stand alone kit.
Remove the two upright external windscreen finishers (4 screws on each) wiper arms (13mm nuts) and ping the lower screen trim off with a paint scraper (carefully, it's alloy and will damage if you are ham fisted)
Some clips holding it on may break and are difficult to source but I believe someone is 3d printing them now. Then all the self tappers holding the covers on can be removed. A good time to clean out all the crap that gets down there and replace the foam filter or fit alloy mesh instead of the foam as a lot of us have done.

Datatek · 2025-05-05T09:50:24+0100

Expensive bit of kit the heated screen and IMO a waste of time unless you live in very cold climes. My RHD one has a heated screen, only 2 lines operate. The LHD one does not have a heated screen. Typically they don't last long before the elements fail.

kermit_rr · 2025-05-05T09:53:38+0100

I don't think it's a waste. It's not needed.. we all managed before they existed!! But it does make life easier. Clears (and keeps away) the misty screen, saves the need to scrape ice etc
. It's just convenience

Datatek · 2025-05-05T09:55:07+0100

kermit_rr said:
I don't think it's a waste. It's not needed.. we all managed before they existed!! But it does make life easier. Clears (and keeps away) the misty screen, saves the need to scrape ice etc
. It's just convenience

Heater and aircon does the job for me. The heated screen was a boon in Canada with minus 40C temperatures.

cornishboater · 2025-05-05T11:07:30+0100

Datatek said:
Heater and aircon does the job for me. The heated screen was a boon in Canada with minus 40C temperatures.

Where abouts in Canada were you Keith, I was 24 years in Ontario and yep, a heated screen was a help along with the boost AC heating

MrGorsky · 2025-05-05T11:53:04+0100

Doesn't appear to require anything from the BECM, so I'd say if you bought the correct HEVAC unit and a cople of relays it should probably work....

If you'e got the wires and earthing stud for it in the plenum, I've a UK pound here says it's a goer! Can you reprt back one way or the other. I love mine, 3rd best thing about the car IMHO.

LR-hobbs · 2025-05-05T15:40:11+0100

MrGorsky said:
View attachment 340415

Doesn't appear to require anything from the BECM, so I'd say if you bought the correct HEVAC unit and a cople of relays it should probably work....

If you'e got the wires and earthing stud for it in the plenum, I've a UK pound here says it's a goer! Can you report back one way or the other. I love mine, 3rd best thing about the car IMHO.

If I ever get round to doing this upgrade and if I remember ofcourse il report back.

I'm unfamiliar with the word plenum? Is that the plastic panel under the outside of my windscreen?

MrGorsky · 2025-05-05T15:44:18+0100

Yes. You’ll need to take your wipers off to get in there.

P38A Retrofit heated front screen

Active Member

Very

Active Member

Very

Active Member

Very

Active Member

Well fumbled member....

Well fumbled member....

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Very

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Similar threads