Alfa Mirror Heater Failure: Fix vs Replace Guide

Having experienced this exact issue on my 2004 Alfa 156 JTD, the heater element failure is a known temperature control problem. The electrical fault typically stems from worn cable connections at the mirror base, where constant door movement eventually damages the wiring. My rearview mirror showed similar symptoms during winter driving, completely non-functional heating and error codes on the display. The repair involved accessing the door panel and tracing the wiring. The main issue was a corroded plug connection between the mirror assembly and door wiring harness. This is actually less serious than a complete heater element failure. Before replacing the entire mirror unit, have a technician check the wiring connections first. In most cases, repairing or replacing the cable and cleaning the connector resolves the heating malfunction. If the heater element itself tests fine, you can avoid unnecessary mirror replacement. The repair process took about 2 hours at the garage, requiring door panel removal and electrical testing. Given the age of these models, this is a common wear point that affects winter visibility and safety.

Thanks for sharing your detailed experience with the mirror heating issue. My case seems really similar and it helps to know the wiring could be the culprit. Finally had it fixed last month after dealing with poor rearview mirror visibility all winter. Did you run into any other car electronics problems since the repair? Also wondering about the total cost for your fix, trying to figure out if I got overcharged for my vehicle safety repair since prices seem to vary quite a bit between shops. The vehicle still works fine after the repair, but good to compare experiences since these Alfas can be tricky with electrical gremlins sometimes.

Good to hear you got it fixed. After my mirror heating repair, everything has worked flawlessly for over a year now. The wiring fix at 95 Euro was money well spent, especially since a complete mirror replacement would have cost significantly more. No other car electronics issues have surfaced since the repair. The heater element itself tested fine in my case, confirming the temperature control problem was just the faulty connection. For winter driving, having working mirror heat is essential for safety, so the repair cost was justified. This repair price seems standard, these Alfas often need similar electrical fixes around the 100 Euro mark. The key was finding the actual issue rather than rushing to replace the entire mirror unit. Having a technician properly diagnose the wiring saved considerable expense. After fixing that corroded plug connection, the system has remained reliable through multiple winter seasons. The error codes havent returned, suggesting the repair addressed the root cause rather than just masking symptoms.

UPDATE: I finally got closure on the rearview mirror problem. After struggling with cold weather visibility issues, I took it to a different mechanic who actually found the root cause. Total bill came to 120 Euro for diagnosing and fixing the electrical fault, slightly higher than yours but still reasonable considering the thorough job. The tech showed me the corroded wiring near the mirror base, explaining how the constant door movement had worn through the protective coating. Rather than quick-fixing just the visible damage, they replaced the entire wiring section and properly sealed the connections against moisture. So far the heater element works perfectly, huge difference for winter driving compared to the constant defrosting hassles before. The error codes are gone and the temperature control responds instantly. Much better outcome than my previous mechanic visit where they just kept suggesting a complete mirror replacement. Really glad I asked here first and learned about the wiring issues. Saved me from an unnecessary expensive repair and got the actual problem fixed properly.