To continue the discussion from the last archived forum.<p>My wiring diagrams show that all the modle years have the mirror heaters on continuously as long as the engine is running. These mirror heaters just cook themselves to death in a few months.<p>Replacement costs is over $100 plus labor.<p>I have wired my mirrors to come on with the rear defroster switch. The procedure should be in the archives. <p>Prior to '96 the Audi controlled the mirror heaters with the rear defroster switch. Infact the same switch is used in the '96 and '97 model years, not sure about '98. They just decided to wire the the heaters differently into the system and not utilize the switch. Go figure....

i have an early 96 model.<br>during the summer i was never able to feel the rear view mirrors get hot, even with rear defogger on.<p>i hope they aren't blown. just got the car a few months ago. . . .<p><br>if so i will be replacing them myself<p><br>1996 a4 2.8 qms (was looking forward to first winter in the quattro)

One of the things I took mine in for was the mirrors. They are<br>wired to only work when the rear defroster is on....and they work<br>now...about 120 degrees (as measured by my AudiTech). He<br>stated that the 96 and first part of 97 units worked with the <br>defroster on.....with the mid 97 models onward, they work all<br>the time the car is on. He is seeing alot of these in the shop.<p>Steve S.<br>97 2.8QM

<br>nt

Bob, I tried an archive search and could not find the procedure you mentioned. Any chance you could repost or direct me to a specific archive?<p> Thanks,<p> Mike

...and my July '96 built '97 (first '97 to arrive on the lot) is on all the time.<p>Tom

Bob, <br>Seems like this is a procedure a lot of people here would like to do. If you can write something describing how you rewired your mirrors, e-mail it to Jason and he'll be happy to put in the FAQ section.<p>Thanks!!<p>Erik<br>98 1.8tqms<p>

i will replace mine myself..i am cheap and out of warranty<br>1996 a4 2.8 qms..still in cali

When I do, I will let you know the part numbers of what was replaced. Again, mine originally had the set-up that turned on the mirrors when the rear defroster was enabled. This is not what I put in...my car came with that feature.<p>Steve S.<br>97 2.8QM<br>

Are you sure about that change-over timeframe? I have an early-build '97 that I picked up in October of 1996 and the mirrors are always heated instead of being tied to the defroster. Just had mine replaced a couple weeks ago.

As I posted below, I am/was in the same situation as you with a VERY early '97. And as well-meaning as many of the dealer techs are, I really don't think that any of them *really* know HOW they are supposed to work and WHY Audi changed the wiring after '96. I have heard each of the following about when they should be on:<br>1) all the time<br>2) only with the defroster<br>3) all the time but only below certain outside temperatures<br>4) only when you turn on the heated seats, if the outside temperature is below a certain value<p>As Bob has said many times, this is an obvious design flaw which is particularly disturbing because it just makes no sense! <p>Tom<br>'97 2.8q white<p><br>

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