Audi A2 Mirror Heater Failure, DIY Diagnosis Tips

My 2007 Audi A3 2.0 had a similar electrical fault with the heated mirrors. The temperature control function failed completely during winter driving conditions. Initial diagnosis pointed to the heating element, but after thorough testing, the issue was traced to a damaged wiring harness where the cables run through the door hinge area. The repeated opening and closing of the door had worn through the protective sleeve, causing a short circuit in the mirror electronics. The repair involved replacing the complete wiring harness section and reconnecting the mirror heating element. This was more extensive than just swapping out the mirror, as the electrical fault was in the connection rather than the component itself. The repair was significant since accessing the door wiring required partial door panel removal and careful routing of the new harness. If your A2 shows similar symptoms, check the wiring near the door hinge first. Damaged cables often trigger error codes before the heating element fails completely. Consider having a specialized auto electrician diagnose the issue, as general mechanics sometimes miss electrical connection problems and jump straight to component replacement.

Thanks for providing that detailed info about the wiring harness issue. I had nearly identical symptoms on my A2 last winter. When working with the auto electrician, they first suspected the mirror heating element but found corroded pins in the door connector instead. The car mirror started working perfectly after cleaning and resealing the connection points. Did you remember roughly how much you paid for the complete repair? Also wondering if youve had any other electrical gremlins pop up since fixing the wiring harness?

Glad my experience helped identify your issue. After seeing a qualified auto electrician, the mirror heating problem was fully resolved. The repair cost came to 95 Euro total, which covered fixing the faulty cable connection. Much better than replacing the entire rearview mirror assembly. No other electrical issues have appeared since the repair was done last winter. The temperature control for the mirror heating now works flawlessly, even in cold weather conditions. The car electronics no longer show any error codes related to the mirror system. The key was finding someone who properly diagnosed the connection problem rather than just assuming the heating element was bad. A thorough check of the wiring saved both time and money in the end.

Thanks for the helpful advice. I finally got my mirror heating fixed. Instead of going back to my regular mechanic, I took the car to an auto electrician who specialized in vehicle safety and electrical systems. The diagnosis was quick, they found corroded pins in the main door connector causing the heater element failure. After cleaning and resealing the connection points, the rearview mirror heating works perfectly again. The whole repair only cost 75 Euro and took about an hour. No more electrical fault codes showing up on the dash, and the mirror defrosts properly in cold weather now. Really glad I asked here first instead of paying for unnecessary parts replacement. Sometimes the simplest solution is the right one. Definitely learned my lesson about finding the right specialist for electrical issues rather than using a general mechanic. The auto electrician even showed me where to check for similar issues in the future.