PTCruiser Mirror Heater Fix, Expert Tips & Costs Guide

Had the same problem with my 2005 PT Cruiser GT. The car electronics showed a similar error code for the mirror heating. During winter driving, this became a real vehicle safety concern. The issue turned out to be a frayed wire harness connecting to the car mirror heating element. Cold weather had caused the rubber insulation to become brittle over time, exposing the wiring. The mechanic found this after removing the mirror housing. The repair involved replacing the entire wire harness assembly from the door panel to the mirror. While not a complex fix, accessing the components required careful disassembly of the door panel and mirror housing. The job took about 2 hours to complete. This is generally a straightforward repair that any qualified shop should handle without complications. The most time-consuming part is accessing the wiring behind the panels. Worth getting fixed before winter driving conditions, as proper mirror heating is essential for visibility and safety. No need for a complete mirror replacement unless there is physical damage to the mirror unit itself. The problem usually lies in the wiring or connectors.

Thanks for sharing that experience with the PT Cruiser mirror heating. Mine got fixed about 3 months ago but wondering if the price I paid was reasonable. The temperature control unit and heater element both needed work in my case. Can you recall roughly what you paid for the wire harness repair? Also curious if youve had any other heating issues since the fix was done. Sometimes these electrical gremlins come back in winter driving conditions.

Just checked back on this thread, glad to update on my PT Cruiser electrical fault experience. Since the repair, the mirror heating has worked flawlessly, even during the coldest days. My repair bill came to 95€, which covered fixing a faulty connection between the heater element and the main wiring. The fix involved reconnecting and properly insulating the wiring, no need for a complete mirror replacement or new components. The winter driving season has proven the repair was done right, with no recurring issues or error codes. Your case sounds more involved since both the temperature control unit and heater element needed attention. That would naturally cost more than my simpler wiring fix. These electrical issues can be tricky, but once properly repaired, they typically stay fixed. The key is getting a thorough diagnosis and repair from someone who knows these specific electrical systems. When done right, you shouldnt see those heating problems return.

Thanks everyone for the helpful replies. I took my PT Cruiser to the shop last week and can now share my experience. The total repair came to 280€ for replacing both the temperature control unit and heater element. The mechanic found that water had gotten into the door panel over time and corroded several connections in the car electronics. The cold weather had made the issue more obvious since the system was under extra strain. They ended up needing about 3 hours to complete all the work. While the cost was higher than a simple wire fix, the rearview mirror heating now works perfectly. No more error codes showing up on cold mornings. The shop also applied extra weather sealing around the mirror mount to prevent future water damage. Happy to report this was a much better repair experience than my last shop visit. They took time to explain the cold weather damage and showed me the corroded parts they replaced. Worth every cent to have proper winter driving visibility again.