Retro fit heated wing mirrors?

[MrBroon]

I don't appear to have heated mirrors, is there a way to upgrade a car without them?

 

[CraigM]

You probably have them already - just that the elements have burnt out.

Remove the passenger door mirror glass - they are just clipped in and can be removed by carefully prising them out - if there are two wires connected on the back of it then you definitely have heated mirrors.

Here is a pic of the back of the mirror so you can see see how it clips in - might help removal!

http://mcmillan-uk.com/clio/A4%20mirror.jpg

 

[MrBroon]

Thanks Craig, do you know what models they were fitted to? I remember taking the mirror glass off on my A6 and the glass smashed, I know *carefully* take them out

Jim.

 

[CraigM]

From the info I have all A4's had heated mirrors as standard - even the 1.6.

If you do smash the glass I have a spare passenger side mirror glass you can have - heating element doesn't work, but the mirror is ok.

 

[MrBroon]

Nice one, thanks Craig. I suppose I'll have to order up two new ones anyway to get the element working. I'll speak to specialist Volkswagen in Kirkcaldy.

Thanks,

 

[imported_kris_tdi]

i just got new glass for mine, the old ones had burnt out on mine.

 

[CraigM]

I got mine from www.gsfcarparts.com - £23.50 for the passenger side and £35 for the drivers side.

 

[MrBroon]

Are they just like the originals Craig with wide angle and blue tint?

 

[CraigM]

Yes - exactly the same as fitted to the car at the factory.

 

[MrBroon]

Well went to my local dealer, got quoted £37 each side, I think I'll try as you've said Craig and go to GSF. Also the dealer didn't know if my car was supposed to have heated mirrors, he just said take them off and have a look for the wires? Not sure how Audi dealers work but BMW know what options were fitted to your car from the last 7 digits of the VIN, this works on all models registered after 1982!!! when the records were computerised, should Audi be able to do this also on my '97 A4?

 

[CraigM]

My dealer doesn't even know how much oil my engine takes or what the tyre pressures should be despite them both being in the handbook - so not much chance of them knowing what options were standard..........

The best thing to do is remove one of the mirrors and see if the wires are there - then check for a voltage when the ignition is on just to make sure it is the heating element has burnt out and it isn't something daft like a blown fuse etc.

 

[MrBroon]

Nice one, thanks Craig will try that later today. Don't suppose you have VAG-COM as well as a lot of know how about Audi's????

 

[MrBroon]

Ok, checked the mirrors today and mine should defo be heated, checked the fuses and they appear to both be ok, reseated them anyway, tested and still no luck. I have now ordered up the new parts from GSF, I'll let you know how I get on.

 

[moschino]

Its a comon problem on early Audi's, the mirror element burns out as they are powered when the ignition is on.
Check the supply to the mirror, should be 12 Volts when ignition is on. That way you know that the fuses are ok and the mirror element is at fault.
Later models have a temp sensor on them that only allows them to heat up if the outside temp is below a certain amount. I believe from earlier posts this was about 5 Deg C.
You can check if the element is burnt out by using a Ohm meter across the 2 terminals. If you check previous posts I am sure the correct reading is listed. I cannot check mine as both have gone and need replacing.

Regards,
Jim.

 

[MrBroon]

Hello again (Arrghh!!) got the parts from GSF and duly fitted them (without breaking the originals!! It's a miracle) but still no joy, there's absolutely nothing coming through them. According to my manual it says they are activated from the rear demister? and this is what I am trying to get them going, outside temp is about 10 Deg.

I think next stop is Halfords for a wee multimeter and check the outputs, here's hoping I can take off the new mirrors without breaking them! :-(

I'll let you know what happens.

Cheers,

 

[CraigM]

Where abouts in Scotland are you?

If the new mirrors have the round bit (shown in the top left of my pic above) then they are fitted with a thermostatic switch - stick the mirror in the freezer for 5 mins to cool it down and then try it on the car - if there is power at the mirror you will feel the heat in 30 secs.

 

[MrBroon]

Nice one Craig will try that, I'm over Edinburgh way.

 

[MrBroon]

Well, checked the mirrors again, and now I find that the passenger mirror is working but the drivers mirror doesn't???