Audi Mirror Heating Failure: Fixes and Repair Costs

I had almost the exact same winter driving issue with my 2017 Audi A6. As someone with moderate car repair experience, I initially thought the rearview mirror heating element was completely dead, but it turned out to be much simpler. The workshop found a loose connection between the mirror heating element and the temperature control module. The cable had worked itself loose due to regular mirror adjustments and vibration. No need for a complete car mirror replacement. The fix involved accessing the mirror housing, reconnecting the cable properly, and securing it to prevent future disconnections. Total cost was 95 Euro for diagnostics and repair. The whole job took about an hour. Could you share your exact error code? Also, does the heating fail on one or both mirrors? This information would help determine if you are dealing with the same connection issue. Remember that mirror heating issues are particularly noticeable during cold weather, but its important to get them fixed to maintain proper visibility and safe driving conditions.

Thanks for the detailed response. My mileage is 30741 KM and the car was last serviced 3 months ago. The error only appears on the drivers side mirror. The error code is P0616, which suggests an electrical circuit fault. After your message, I checked and noticed a slight rattling sound when adjusting the mirror position, which could indeed point to a loose connection affecting the heater element. The vehicle safety system shows no other related warnings, and all other temperature control functions work perfectly. The car electronics seem fine otherwise, with no issues in any other systems. This gives me hope that a simple repair might be sufficient rather than replacing the entire rearview mirror assembly. Will contact the workshop to have them check the connections first.

Glad to hear my previous advice helped identify a potential cause. The rattling sound you describe with mirror adjustment is exactly what I experienced, its a telltale sign of loose components in the mirror housing. The P0616 error code on your A6 confirms an electrical fault, which matches perfectly with the loose connection scenario I encountered. However, since your car is newer than mine with only 30741 KM, the workshop should also check the wiring harness integrity where it enters the mirror housing, as newer models have a slightly different routing. After my repair, I learned its good practice to periodically check mirror function during temperature control system tests. This helps catch any developing issues before they become problems during cold weather. For your reference, my repair has held up perfectly for two years now with no recurring electrical faults or mirror heating issues. The temperature control system works flawlessly in all weather conditions. When you visit the workshop, mention the rattling, it will help them pinpoint the issue faster and potentially save diagnostic time and costs.

Thanks for following up with that information. Based on the experience shared, I feel more confident about my mirror heating issue. After hearing about the electrical fault being successfully fixed without a full mirror replacement, I checked my service history. Since my last service was only 3 months ago at 30741 KM, any manufacturing defects should still be under warranty. The rattling when adjusting the mirror definitely seems to match the loose connection scenario described. The P0616 error code and the fact that only the drivers side mirror is affected further supports this theory. Will book the car in next week and specifically ask them to check the connection and wiring harness first. The vehicle safety system shows no other warnings, so focusing on the mirror wiring makes sense. Good to know that a proper fix can last years without recurring temperature control issues. Really hoping for a simple electrical fault repair rather than needing the whole mirror assembly replaced. Will update once the workshop confirms the exact issue and repair costs.