Replacement windscreens and rain/light sensors?

paradigm

paradigm

paradigm

Caporegime
Joined
26 Aug 2003
Posts
37,508
Location
Leafy Cheshire
I've never had to have a windscreen replaced on a vehicle where a rain sensor has been present, but there are a couple of large chips that appear to be turning into cracks, so it will need doing in the not too distant future.

I've been doing some reading however, and it appears that a) Autoglass might not use a genuine Audi windscreen, and b) that they seem utterly inept at re-fitting the sensor unit, most of the time not replacing the "gel pack" and causing the sensor to be utterly redundant. There are also lots of stories of them ruining the plastic trim either side of the screen.

Is it possible to specify to my insurers where the windscreen work is done? Is it possible to force Autoglass to buy the fitting kits and the correct screen? I really don't want to have to babysit them whilst it's done, but I fear I may have to unless I can get it taken to Audi.

The last time I had a windscreen done by Autoglass, their "technician" managed to slice a chunk of my paintwork off the roof of my LCR whilst using his "special" knife.

:(
 
If you read your insurance doc's it usually says what alternate options are available and spend limits.

I have had a couple done by a local firm and advised a friend to do the same and all covered by insurance.

It's insurer-specific though. No blanket rule.

You could remove trim yourself and refit it after.
 
Yes you can specify using a genuine screen, the insurance company will call AG to authorise the genuine screen (usually double the price!) - this doesnt cost you any extra.

The light/rain sensors come pre-attached, they CANNOT be re-bonded to a replacement screen, Audi, VW and AG all agree on this!

I had one done just a few months back and there were no problems at all with it, or getting genuine glass.
 
Direct Line here...when the windscreen broke on our Golf, I kicked up a bit of a fuss requesting an original windscreen with all the OEM VW marks on it etc. The insurers would only authorise up to a certain value, so I'd have ended up paying a lot just to have one that said VW on it.

Since the only difference seemed to be the markings, I just paid the £75 for a pattern part from Autoglass's suppliers and have had zero issues from the rain sensor. It still says 'Saint-Gobain Sekurit' on the screen and has the little noise reduction ear symbol on it (the sound proofing was the reason I wanted an original part in the first place).
 
The Autoglass screen i got didn't have the rain sensor built in despite me telling them i wanted an exact replacement screen (with the rain sensor unit built in, UV protection and the sun strip).

Due to me not getting an OEM unit the rain sensor hasn't worked correctly since.

Good job i'm due another screen i'm going to make sure they supply the proper part this time!
 
Firestar_3x said:
The Autoglass screen i got didn't have the rain sensor built in despite me telling them i wanted an exact replacement screen (with the unit built in, UV protection and the sun strip).

Due to me not getting the OEM unit the rain sensor hasn't worked correctly since.

Good job i'm due another screen and i'm going to make sure i get a proper part this time!
Click to expand...

Was this on the Passat Mark?

Seems my quest to get this done right might be longer than I anticipated, I completely forgot about the sun strip and UV.
 
Yep, i've been looking for a kit to sort the issue myself but the screen is starting to crack around a chip so i'm going to pay the £70+ and get a new one fitted.
 
Well I'll be calling them today, will see how we get on and report back. I'm going to make it crystal clear that I'll be rejecting any screen that turns up which isn't Audi branded and with the sensor/sunstrip though.
 
Firestar_3x said:
The Autoglass screen i got didn't have the rain sensor built in despite me telling them i wanted an exact replacement screen (with the rain sensor unit built in, UV protection and the sun strip).

Due to me not getting an OEM unit the rain sensor hasn't worked correctly since.

Good job i'm due another screen i'm going to make sure they supply the proper part this time!
Click to expand...

This is because they gave you the wrong screen, not because it wasn't OEM. They can and do supply screens with built-in rain sensors that aren't strictly OEM. I'm amazed you accepted it.

In reality all that happens is that VW receive the screen from the factory and stamp 'VW' on it. That's all.
 
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Robbie G said:
This is because they gave you the wrong screen, not because it wasn't OEM. I'm amazed you accepted it.
Click to expand...

Wasn't around when they fitted it, all seemed ok for a while then a forum member basically put a bullet hole in it 4 weeks after being fitted so couldn't take it back.
 
Autoglass charged me £671 for a new front windscreen for my RS6 7 weeks ago. No problems with it at all, and all the auto functions still work perfectly.
 
Sure I saw you today paradigm lol, turning left onto London road from bristol street motors, then outside the co op further down, had some kind of bright blue shirt on lol:p Audi estate looked alright lol,
 
That was me, I work on the business park and the Co-Op is the closest thing that sells something almost equalling lunch :p
 
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