Minicab's Dead Heaters: Quick Fix or Mechanic Time?

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer (gasoline). The windshield heating element completely died on me last winter. Took it to my regular mechanic and turns out it was more than just a blown fuse – the heating element grid had failed, and there was also a break in the electrical connection near the bottom of the windshield. Had to get the whole windshield replaced because you can't really repair those heating elements once they're damaged. It was definitely a serious repair since they had to ensure proper bonding and connection of the new heating element system. Not something you want to mess around with DIY-style. The shop had to order a specific heated windshield and it took about a day and a half for the whole job. Make sure whoever does it knows their way around electrical systems in Mitsubishis – the connections need to be done right, or you'll just end up with the same problem again. Hope this helps with your Minicab issue. Sounds pretty similar to what I went through.

Thanks for sharing that info! I'm actually going through something similar with my windshield right now. Would you mind telling me how much the whole replacement ended up costing you? Also curious if you've had any issues with it since the repair? My local shop quoted me quite a bit, so I'm trying to figure out if I'm getting a fair deal.

Hey again! Happy to give you an update! After getting my Lancer fixed, I can tell you it cost me 585€ for the whole job. They had to replace the defective heating element, and honestly, it was worth every penny. Since the repair, the windscreen heating has been working like a charm, no more issues at all! It's been great, especially during these cold mornings. Just so you know, the whole job was pretty complex, they really had to know what they were doing with the electrical connections. But what a difference it makes having a properly working heated windscreen again! If your quote is around the same range, I'd say that's pretty fair considering the work involved. Just make sure whoever does the work knows their Mitsubishis well. Getting it done right the first time saves a lot of headaches later on. Let me know if you need any other info!

Thanks so much for all the detailed info! I actually just got back from getting mine fixed yesterday. Ended up going to a different mechanic who specializes in Japanese cars, really glad I made that switch! The whole thing cost me about 600€, pretty close to what you paid. The funny thing is, when I got there, they found that the main issue wasn't just the heating element, there was also a problem with the wiring connection that the previous mechanic had totally missed. Took them about a day to fix everything, but now it's working perfectly. The heated windscreen kicks in right away, and I can actually see clearly on those frosty mornings! Really appreciate your help in pushing me to find a better mechanic. Sometimes paying a bit more for someone who knows what they're doing is totally worth it. Thanks again for sharing your experience, it really helped me make the right decision!