2011 Limited Windshield not Soundscreen?

[bb56]

Hi. I'm hoping someone can shed some light on this windshield issue and identification.

 

I bought a used 2011 Edge limited with 63K miles on it. I have been trying to clean the windshield of a terrible haze problem. The outside seems to have some sort of clear coat (possibly a very hard wax) on it that is wearing away. So I tried basic than more and more aggressive cleaning efforts. I finally used a razor and a film was coming off in many of the very hazy areas. Long story short, it is now perfectly clean inside and out - I mean mint. (It took many hours of work). All that is left are some tiny road pebble marks as I would expect.

 

But when it is dark, any light I see has a very thin haze to it that is evenly distributed around the light source. Street lights, oncoming headlights - anything. In daylight it is perfectly clear. I shine my 1000 lumen flashlight through it and I see it. It seems to be in the glass (or maybe the plasic sandwiched in there.

 

But after reading about cleaning windhields, I learned from many of you about the Soundscreen winshields. My Limited does not have the logo so I looked at the part number And it is indeed a FoMoCo Carlite screen with a part number of BA13-7803100-A windshield with rain sensor. When I looked up replacements I find the BA1Z-7803100-B which is the soundscreen version with rain sensor (I checked the Carlite site).

 

So I have three questions...

1) Has anyone found a clear coating on their windshield? What is it and how did you get it off?

2) Does anyone else notice a slight haze around lights at night? (It's not my eyes, my passengers see it too)

3) Does anyone have a limited with this same non-soundscreen windshield? (please look at your part number in the lower drivers corner)

 

Thanks for any insights and help.

 

 

Since I can't find it as an option for the 2011 Limited, is it possible that it wasn't standard to have the soundscreen acoustic. I have the original sticker but no acoustic windshield is listed.

Edited November 25, 2016 by bb56

[chefduane]

About 2 mos ago I bought pretty much the exact same car - '11 Limited AWD w/ about 65k miles. I have not noticed any haze or film on the windshield. I know there are some folks that wax the windshield when they wax the car (we used to do that as teens) so maybe that was it. Also, I Rain-X my car windshields once a year but that never leaves a haze.

 

The p/n printed on my windshield is AA13-7803100-A. Don't know the significance of the first position being an 'A' rather than a 'B'. My Edge had the 301a package so it has pretty much every bell and whistle available - would there be a difference in the windshield?

[bb56]

Thanks for checking your part number chefduane.

 

Apparently Carlite lists the AA1Z-7803100-A as a SoundScreen w/o rain sensor (http://carlite.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Acoustic-Apps_Jan_20131.pdf). I assume your AA13 has no Soundscreen trademark on it also? I can't find other any explanation of the difference between the '1Z' and '13' versions.

 

I too have the 301a package plus the vision package (which probably adds the rain sensor?) I've always used Rain-X on my windshields, but I just put in on after cleaning the coating off. I saw that the coating had worn through in some areas and that's how I realized it had a coating. I literally scraped it off and the surface is nice again. The Rain-X application came out great yet the haze that I see is still there. (before removing the coating, the outside was all scratched and really terrible where the wipers travel.)

 

The haze is extremely fine but I don't think it is on either surface (inside or out). If you do notice this phenomenon at night, please let me know.

 

I also don;t know why our windshields are not soundscreen...

Edited November 25, 2016 by bb56

[chefduane]

What does the Soundscreen trademark look like? I have the FoMoCo and Carlite logos, and another marking that is an oval with 'CCC' in it. Nothing that mentions Soundscreen.

[bb56]

It literally says 'SoundScreen'. I've seen pictures on the web and here's one on this forum: http://www.fordedgeforum.com/topic/9081-2012-road-noise/?do=findComment&comment=73133. I notice that the part number is the same as mine: BA13-7803100-A but it says "SoundScreen" right on it. Mine looks like yours (your 'AA13' is the non-rain sensor vs. 'BA13' with the rain sensor I think) but just as you describe without the word SoundScreen. The SoundScreen version is using the same part number as mine? This is somewhat confusing.

 

Are there any Ford Reps on this forum that can explain these part number as Soundscreen or not?

 

Here is what my windshield part number looks like:

Edited November 26, 2016 by bb56

[akirby]

You could try cleaning it with bon ami cleaner (the one that says safe for glass). If there is anything left on it that will surely get it off.

[chefduane]

I just took a look again and mine does not say Soundscreen anywhere. Very odd. Also, I thought I had the rain sensing option but apparently I don't. NBD, never had a car that had it so I prolly won't miss it. As soon as it rains here in DFW I'll find out. (63 here today - brrrrr!!!)

[bb56]

@akirby: I think I'm well past needing Bob Ami clleanser but if I can find it, I might try it anyway. Does your 2016 MKX have a soundscreen logo on the windshield?

 

@chefduane: I'm going to try asking Carlite directly about the two part numbers BA13... one having a soundscreen logo and mine not having it. Since I think the AA13... is the same as mine without the rainsensor (up top on the passenger side near the rearview mirror), I assume whatever I find out will apply to yours too.

Jeez, that DFW 63 sounds awfully nice to my 47 and raining in MA.

[Spree]

The "sound screen" logo is part of the black boarder around the wind shield. It will say it in the lower drivers side part of the wind shield.

[pedro2u]

I found this on the Carlite site. It lists the windshield part numbers that have Soundscreen:

 

http://carlite.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Acoustic-Apps_Jan_20131.pdf

 

 

[bb56]

I also found the carlite part number listings but the Soundscreen part number contained a BA1Z, not BA13. I'm not sure that those are the only part numbers of an acoustic windshield

 

I was assured by Carlite tech support that based on my VIN number, my 2011 Edge Limited vehicle was originally built with what they call the DW01845 GTY and thus should have the special sound absorbing vinyl in the glass and the trademarked logo “Soundscreen” at the bottom. It's possible that someone replaced it with a non-OEM windshield at some point. I can't find any record of the WS being replaced however.

 

So I think the lesson here is, if you get your windshield replaced, be sure to tell them you want the OEM windshield that came with your car - in my case it is the Carlite DW01845 GTY part.

 

Thanks for all the replies.

Edited December 8, 2016 by bb56

[Tacyon]

So long story short, I had to replace my windshield on my 2011 Edge Limited with 302A package. At time of replacement I inquired as to the brand of glass. It was Carlite but didn't have the Soundscreen on it. I requested that, they explained what it was, and that was what I got. Mainly because that was what I had and I wanted it to be STOCK.

I now have a 2013 Edge Limited with the 302A package and it as well as the Carlite with the Soundscreen on it. Both cars had the rain sensors for the auto wiper function. Which btw, I never use as it comes one when I don't needs it and doesn't come on/stay on when I did need it.

[pedro2u]

Are you implying that the 302A package includes the Soundscreen windshield? I also have a 2011 Limited with the 302A but no markings on my windshield say Soundscreen. Do I have it?

 

The brochure and my window sticker say these options:

 

Available Rapid Spec

Rapid Spec 301A Panoramic Vista RoofTM + HID

headlamps + voice-activated Navigation System with

single-CD/MP3 player, SD card for map and POI storage,

and integrated SIRIUS Traffic and SIRIUS Travel Link with

introductory 6-month subscription + Driver Entry Package

includes anti-theft perimeter alarm, Intelligent Access with

push-button start, power liftgate and Remote Start System

 

Rapid Spec 302A Includes all content of Rapid

Spec 301A + adaptive cruise control and collision

warning with brake support + Vision Package includes

BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with cross-traffic

alert and rain-sensing wipers

[Tacyon]

No, just confirming what I have and what two Edge Limited with the 302A package had as factory.

 

That being said, when I had to replace the window on the first one, I almost ended up with a non Soundscreen version of a "factory look a like" that was offered to me as a cost savings.

 

Point being, you've purchased a used vehicle. Perhaps the window was replaced in the past with a non Soundscreen version.

 

Since they're all relatively transparent I don't see (HA! see what I did there) that the minute attenuation of sound that the "Soundscreen " offers is not worth the fuss. Stop sweating the small stuff, not worth it.

[macbwt]

I believe both of my 2011's do not have sound screen and they are both limited's sort of a hit and miss on this issue with the 2011 models.