VW Crafter Mirror Heater Failure Fix Guide

Having dealt with a similar electrical fault on my VW Transporter 2019 diesel, I can share some relevant experience from fixing mirror heating issues. My workshop diagnosed it as a faulty wiring connection between the mirror heating element and the main electrical system. Temperature control problems with mirror heating are quite common in these VW commercial vehicles, especially during winter driving conditions. The repair involved: Complete diagnostic scan, Checking all rearview mirror connections, Replacing damaged wiring and connectors, Testing the heating function under different temperatures Total cost was 95€ which covered labor and parts. The mirror replacement wasnt necessary as the heating element itself was fine, it was just the connection causing problems. The fix completely resolved the issue and the mirror heating has worked perfectly since, even in cold conditions. To provide more specific advice for your case, could you share: Whether both mirrors are affected or just one side, If the error code appears consistently or intermittently, Whether you notice any other electrical issues, The exact error code showing in your system This information would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced or might need a different approach.

Latest service was 2 months ago at 189000KM. Just wanted to confirm both side mirrors are affected and the error appears consistently when temperatures drop below freezing. The error code is P0616. No other electrical issues noticed. I checked all visible wiring around the mirror housing and door panels but couldnt spot any obvious damage. Given the vehicle safety concerns during winter driving, I want to get this fixed before temperatures drop further. Your experience with wiring issues sounds very similar to whats happening on my Crafter. Seems like a reasonable repair cost if its just connections rather than replacing the entire heater element. Will book it in to have the connections checked first. Did your workshop need to remove the entire mirror assembly to access the wiring connections?

Thanks for providing those details. Yes, my repair experience matches your symptoms exactly, especially with the consistent errors during cold weather and both mirrors being affected. The workshop did need to remove the mirror assemblies to properly access and trace all the heater element connections. This is actually quite standard for diagnosing mirror heating wiring issues on these VW models. The good news is the removal process is straightforward and doesnt risk damaging other components. One thing to note, while my repair cost was 95€, prices for the Crafter might differ slightly since the mirror assembly is larger than the Transporter. However, if its just wiring connections like in my case, it should still be much cheaper than replacing the entire heater element units. My electrical fault showed very similar patterns, always triggering in freezing conditions and affecting both sides. This consistent behavior typically points to wiring issues rather than failed heating elements. Once the connections were properly fixed, the system worked flawlessly even in extreme cold weather. Since your service history is recent and no other electrical issues are present, this really strengthens the case for it being a connection problem similar to what I experienced.

Based on that information, I appreciate your help in clarifying the repair process and costs. The consistent error code P0616 and symptoms on both mirrors definitely point toward a wiring connection issue rather than faulty heating elements. Your feedback about the mirror removal process is particularly helpful. Even though the repair might cost a bit more on my Crafter due to the larger assembly, its still better than replacing entire heating units. Getting proper vehicle safety sorted before the worst winter driving conditions hit is my priority, so Ill schedule the electrical fault diagnosis focusing on the wiring connections first. The temperature control issues seem almost identical to what you experienced, which gives me confidence about the likely fix. Will book the workshop time this week and ask them to specifically check all the mirror heating connections while the assemblies are removed. The fact your repair has held up well long-term is really encouraging. Thanks for the detailed explanation about your rearview mirror repair experience. It helped narrow down the most likely cause and potential solution.