VW Transporter Mirror Heater Failure & Repair Costs

Faced this exact electrical fault on my 2018 VW Tiguan. The rearview mirror heating also stopped working during cold weather. Initial diagnosis revealed a damaged wiring harness where it connects to the mirror housing. The issue was more serious than expected since water had infiltrated through the compromised cable insulation. This caused corrosion at the connector pins feeding power to the heating element. The mechanic needed to replace the entire wiring harness and connector assembly rather than just repairing individual wires. For your Transporter, check if the mirror functions normally otherwise. If only the heating element fails, it often points to connection issues rather than needing complete mirror replacement. The error code typically indicates an open circuit in the heating element circuit. The repair took about 2 hours since accessing the wiring required partial door panel removal. Worth noting that postponing the repair in cold weather conditions can lead to visibility issues and potential safety concerns. Recommend getting it checked soon to prevent moisture from causing additional electrical problems. Your symptoms match what many Transporter owners experience, the heating element failure is a known weak point in these models during winter conditions.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the mirror wiring issue. Mine sounds very similar to what you described. The temperature control for the mirror heating failed suddenly during a cold spell last month. After reading your response, I checked my VW and noticed some moisture inside the mirror housing, which suggests water might have gotten in through damaged wires. The vehicle safety system keeps showing that error code too. Did you remember approximately how much the car mirror repair cost in your case? Also, has everything worked properly since the fix, or have you noticed any other electrical issues? Good point about getting it done quickly. With winter approaching, I definitely want proper visibility.

Great news to share about the mirror heating repair on my Tiguan. Since having the mechanic fix the wiring harness connection last month, the heater element has worked flawlessly. The winter driving visibility is back to normal with no moisture or fogging issues. The total repair cost came to 95€, which covered the labor to access and replace the damaged cable connection. This was actually less expensive than initially feared, since no full mirror replacement was needed. The car electronics are all functioning properly now with no error codes or related electrical problems. For anyone facing similar issues, addressing rearview mirror heating problems promptly is crucial. Water infiltration through damaged connections can lead to more extensive electrical damage if left unattended. The repair has proven to be a worthwhile investment for maintaining proper visibility and vehicle safety during cold weather. The mechanics were able to complete the work in a single morning. No regrets getting it fixed when I did, especially now that temperatures are dropping.

I finally got my mirror heating issue resolved yesterday. After getting multiple quotes, I went with a local VW specialist who correctly diagnosed the problem as a corroded wiring harness, just like you mentioned. The rearview mirror itself was fine, but the heater element connection had completely failed due to water damage. The mechanic showed me where moisture had gotten in through a damaged grommet near the door hinge. Total repair came to 120€ including a new wiring harness and labor. The work took about 3 hours since they had to remove the door panel to access everything properly. But the temperature control is working perfectly now and the error code is gone. Really glad I got it fixed before the cold weather sets in, the vehicle safety system was constantly warning about the fault. Thanks again for the helpful advice. Knowing what to expect made the repair process much smoother and helped me avoid getting oversold on unnecessary mirror replacement.