Jaguar XF Mirror Heater Failure, Diagnosis Guide

Had almost the identical issue with my 2017 Jaguar XE Diesel last winter. The mirror heating stopped working during some really cold days, which made winter driving quite challenging. After basic troubleshooting, took it to the workshop where they diagnosed an electrical fault in the connection. There was corrosion in the plug connector between the mirror and the door wiring, causing poor contact for the heater element power supply. The temperature control system kept showing errors until they fixed it. The repair involved cleaning the connections and replacing the damaged plug, much simpler than replacing the entire mirror assembly. Total cost was 95€ for parts and labor. Been working perfectly since then, with no issues in temperature control. To better assist with your specific case, could you share: Does the error appear on both mirrors or just one side? Did the problem start suddenly or gradually get worse? Are there any other electrical issues with the mirrors (adjustment, folding)? Have you noticed any water ingress around the mirror housing? These details would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced or points to a different problem.

Latest service completed at 105000 KM. Just wanted to share an update, after getting several responses, I did some basic testing. The error appears only on the passenger side mirror, and it happened suddenly during a cold spell. All other mirror functions work normally with no water damage visible. Checked the fuse box and connections as suggested, but could not spot any obvious issues. Think it might be similar to what some of you experienced with the heater element itself failing rather than just a connection problem, given how it failed completely without warning. Will schedule a workshop visit to get a proper diagnosis since safe winter driving is important, but hoping it will be a straightforward fix like some of you described rather than needing a full mirror replacement. Thanks for all the helpful responses so far. Vehicle safety is definitely the priority here, especially with the colder months approaching.

Good to hear about your findings. The symptoms you describe are quite different from what I encountered with my XE. Since your other mirror functions work fine and the issue is isolated to just the passenger side heating, this does point more towards a faulty heater element rather than the corroded connection I dealt with. The sudden failure during cold weather is a typical pattern for heater element issues. While my problem showed gradual deterioration before complete failure, yours sounds more like a clean break in the heating circuit. Since your mirrors are working fine otherwise, this strengthens the case for a focused repair of just the heating component rather than a complete car mirror assembly replacement. The workshop should be able to confirm this with their diagnostic tools. Given your mileage and the age of the car, addressing this electrical fault promptly makes sense for vehicle safety, especially if you regularly drive in cold conditions where mirror visibility is crucial. Quick tip: while waiting for the repair, using a water repellent spray on the mirrors can help reduce frost buildup as a temporary measure.

Based on all this great feedback, I think I have a clearer picture now of what I'm dealing with. The heater element failure being isolated to just the passenger side rearview mirror and happening suddenly during cold weather does make it seem like a component failure rather than a wiring issue. Will get it booked in next week since winter driving without properly functioning mirrors is not something to risk. Good to know that even if it needs parts replaced, it might just be the heating component rather than the whole mirror assembly. The water repellent spray tip is helpful too, will pick some up to use as a temporary solution. The car has been reliable up to this 105000 KM mark, so this is the first real electrical issue I've encountered. Makes sense to address it properly now before the weather gets worse. Really hoping the repair cost stays closer to the 95€ range that others mentioned rather than requiring more extensive work. Thanks for helping narrow down the likely cause. Having a better idea of what to expect at the workshop is exactly what I was looking for when posting this question.

The access cover won't close.

(Translated from Hungarian)

Check if there is any debris or obstruction preventing the access cover from closing properly. If the cover is clear, inspect the hinges and latch mechanism for any signs of damage or misalignment. If you find any issues, it might be best to have a mechanic take a look to ensure it closes securely, especially if it's related to a fuel or electrical compartment. Let me know how it goes or if you have any other questions!