u need the switch and I turned mine on with the Hawkeye total

 

Hawkeye, good to know.
I checked, and the switch is in the dash, and the plugs are below the windshield.
Since the switch is there, I wonder if it came with a heated windshield originally?
This windshield got hit with a rock recently too, and needs replaced. But, the glass looks excellent, no scratches, pitting, ect. No way it's 13 years old with 122k miles on it.
I have to call my insurance and see what deductable I have for glass. I wouldn't try to scam them, but if it came heated, that's what I want put back.
Does anyone know if you can tell from the vin# if it came with one/way to decode what options it had originally?
Thanks

 

word of advise,
call the local rover dealer and find out who they use to do glass work then call that company directly. I have alfa insurance and it cost them $1600 to replace and me $50. Now the company did a hell of a job and replaced the front cowl and a pillar trim.

 

The presence of the switch wiring doesn't indicate it had the heated windshield to begin with. It is much more cost-effective for manufacturers to use wiring harnesses that provide for every possible option than it is to equip trucks with wiring harnesses specific to options included in the configuration of each specific truck. That's a really good thing for us.

As for your insurance, you will likely not get reimbursed for anything other than the unheated windshield unless you can demonstrate the windshield you had was heated, but you may be able to just pay the difference in cost out-of-pocket.

 

The heated front screen is part of the cold weather package that included heated front seats. Does your truck have the switches for the heated front seats in the panel with the window controls? If yes that still doesn't prove it had the heated front screen originally since the heated seats can be added without changing any settings in the BCU and all trucks with leather seats had heated seat elements built into the cushions.

 

The pleather seats in the 03/04 S models came with elements in every seat. Only activated with the "cold weather package" option pack...

That option should be indicated in the VIN code.

I believe you can call any dealer parts department and they can tell you what your car was ordered with and where it was ever serviced by a dealer and for what.

I've done it with both the Rovers I own and they were more than helpful with that kind of history. you just give them the VIN number.

 

My insurance never asked except for pictures of the damage and they don't know the difference between a heated and non heated windscreen

 

Yes, it has heated seats.

 

Yes, I realize that manufacturers use the same wiring harnesses to save on costs.
But, I would think there would be plastic blank instead of a much more expensive switch. As there are other blanks on the dash for options it does not have.
It's an 04 SE

 

The OEM LR screen is a Pilkington Opticool, same make as much of the D2 glass. It has a greenish tint which reduces the solar gain by 23%............. they claim

It is the same make whether heated or unheated, I have always been insistent on this glass make when the insurers are footing the bill but of course the insurance excess remains the same. In fact I took mine to a Landrover main stealership for both replacements when it was damaged.

Matter of interest, the LR Pilkington heated windscreen is an horrendous price unless the insurance is paying.