heated mirror failure.

[GlowBugTDI]

Hi all,
I wasn't going to post this as I'm sure that there is a thread somewhere, but after searching for 15 minutes it wasn't worth it to me anymore and I figured what the heck its winter and maybe someone will find this helpful to them as well. After owning my first beetle for 4 years and never knowing I had heated mirrors i finally learned this summer while putting my new (to me) beetle back on the road that I had this option. Problem is neither of them worked in either car.
so, to the point. fuse looks good, but what other part is the weak link here? Is it the mirror element itself generally? or is it the controller box?

Thank you!

 

[Vince Waldon]

99% of the time it's the element themselves... particularly when the mirror adjust switch is left in the "heat" position accidentally for years... BTDT. This tends to burn 'em both out more or less at the same time.

Can be tested with an ohmmeter, and replacement mirrors are reasonably priced and a straight-forward repair.

 

[oilhammer]

Yep, the heated glass is typically bad because people leave them on until they burn up.

 

[GlowBugTDI]

99% of the time it's the element themselves... particularly when the mirror adjust switch is left in the "heat" position accidentally for years... BTDT.

exactly what i did. When I had my first car i never realized that the middle spot was the heating mode. i thought it was just so that accidental bumps didn't move the mirrors. Thank you!

Yep, the heated glass is typically bad because people leave them on until they burn up.

ok, ill check that first. Thank you!

 

[BobnOH]

The older models had a 2 position switch, heat always on.
heated mirror repair
Check and Repair Heated Mirrors
heated mirror repair

 

[GlowBugTDI]

The older models had a 2 position switch, heat always on.
heated mirror repair
Check and Repair Heated Mirrors
heated mirror repair

oh, ok. mine has 3 position switch. so that must have been a pre 2000 thing.

 

[BobnOH]

Yea, my first TDI was a '99.5 Jetta. Daughter ripped it right off when I was teaching her to drive. Replacement was upgraded 3 position.

 

[JB05]

Corroded wire connections are another possibility.