Defender's Dead Heater: Quick Fix or Major Repair?

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 last winter. The heated windscreen gave up completely, no response when pressing the button. After checking at the garage, it turned out the heating elements were fine, but the relay unit under the dashboard was faulty. It's a common problem on Land Rovers of that era. The fix wasn't too complex, just needed the relay module replaced and some rewiring work. Not a major repair by any means, but definitely something that needed proper diagnostic equipment to pinpoint. My mechanic mentioned these electrical gremlins are typical on these models. Based on your description, it sounds very similar to what I experienced. For peace of mind, I'd suggest finding a Land Rover specialist rather than a general mechanic, they'll know exactly where to look. Cheers

Thanks for sharing your experience! That's really helpful, as it sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with. I was worried it might be something more serious, but hearing it could just be the relay unit is a relief. Mind if I ask how much the repair set you back? Also, have you had any other electrical quirks pop up since getting it fixed? Just want to know what to keep an eye out for with these Defenders. Cheers!

Hey again! Just wanted to update you, I actually got my Discovery sorted last week! The windscreen heating is working perfectly now. You'll be glad to know it wasn't anything too major. My mechanic found the heating element was defective, which was causing the entire system to fail. The whole repair, including parts and labor, came to 585€. A bit pricey, but worth every penny to have clear visibility in cold weather! Since the fix, everything's been working like a charm, no other electrical gremlins to report. The heating kicks in immediately when I press the button now, way better than before. Honestly, with these Land Rovers, once you get the electrical bits sorted properly, they tend to behave themselves. Quick tip though, if you do get it fixed, make sure to test it thoroughly before leaving the garage. These heating systems can be a bit finicky, and you want to make sure everything's working 100%. Hope this helps with your decision! Let me know how you get on. Cheers!

Thanks for the detailed update! You've convinced me to bite the bullet and get it checked out. I actually took it to a specialist mechanic yesterday, turned out my issue was pretty similar to yours. The relay was shot and needed replacing, plus they found some corroded wiring that needed fixing. Total bill came to a bit more than yours, but at least it's sorted now. The mechanic was really thorough and even showed me exactly what was wrong, way better experience than my last garage visit! Tested it multiple times before leaving and it's working perfectly. You were right about getting it done by someone who knows these vehicles. The specialist spotted a couple of other minor issues that could've become problems later, so I'm glad I went with them instead of trying to save a few bucks at a regular garage. Thanks again for sharing your experience, it really helped me make the right decision! Cheers!