1998 A6 2.8SE - heated door mirrors?

[JohnF]

Does anyone know if the door mirrors defrost? The handbook suggests they should. The ones on my 1990 Audi100 did, but these don't. I thought they would when the heated rear window was turned on, but no. I can't see a blown fuse anywhere.
Is this a known problem? I'd be grateful for any advice, please.
[yes, I know it's summer but I've been meaning to ask this for ages!]

[towcestervag]

it might not have them fitted
check behind glass for 2 little wires going to outer edge of glass

[paul b]

Do you have electric mirror adjustment? If you do there should be a symbol beside them that suggests the car has heated mirrors.

But check for the 2 wires as towcestervag says. It may also be possible the wing mirror glasses have been changed in the past by a previous owner who has opted for cheap non-heated ones rather than the expensive heated mirrors.

You could also check using the ID label in the front of the service book and/or in the spare wheel well for the heated mirror option code. Type all the 3 letter codes into this decoder which will tell you if you have heated exterior mirrors.

[lonky]

Yep, these door mirrors defrost as standard. The only catch is that as they are always on they tend to burn out. I recently changed both of mine. Cost about £17 a side but well worth it at this time of year in traffic

[JohnF]

Thanks, lonky - 'always on'? Surely just when heated rear window on? Were they easy to swap? Did you get the bits from Audi or from internet supplier? Is it easy to do? I can't see any obvious way of removing glass [I wish Haynes would produce a manual for this car!]

[paul b]

The heated mirrors are always on. My A6 has no adjustment for it, yet it has heated mirrors.

Taking the mirror off is tricky, you could break the glass. You need to tilt the mirror glass so you can get your fingers underneath the bottom of it, and then you just pull gently. They just clip on and off.

But as I say, it's tricky. I don't take responsibility for you breaking your wing mirror glasses.

[lonky]

nope always on is just that. On later models the mirror control has a override switch, and the symbol as described by paul B, but not on your year.

you have about 20% chance of removing a mirror without breaking the glass.

I got mine from GSF parts, and they were fine except the spade terminals, but then I just soldered on the wires.

To remove you tiilt the mirror fully up, and then release the bottom clip ( easir to understand when you have the new mirror).

You then tilt down and remove the top clip.

fiddily, and liable to crack the glass, so don't do it unless you are changing them.

when I got my car both were blown, and I spent ages checking for a blown fuse, or broken wire before removing the old ones to fine I had power and a blown element.

[JohnF]

many thanks paul and lonky.....I promise not to sue for severed finger tendons! I'll perhaps give it a go nearer winter time. [seems a bit stupid design to have them on all the time..]