Hi,

After just over a year's ownership (and 2 long winters) and much fiddling of the knob (with and without the rear view heater on), I've come to the conclusion that my heated mirrors don't work. Never been able to get any sign of life from them, although occasionally have heard the 'relay click' noise referred to in other threads.

The knob has 3 settings, L, R and the heater symbol thing (at 3 o'clock).

I'm assuming that the mirrors are burnt out (which seems to be the general consensus when they don't work, and apparently quite common).

So... after putting it off for ages as I thought it would be a really expensive job (and having never had heated mirrors on a car, not really missing it!)... I see that I can get replacement heated mirrors with clip-on backing plate on Fleabay for £11.99 each and free postage.

It sounds from the description that it's just a matter of getting the old mirror out and sticking in the new one, but surely there must be more to it than that, otherwise nobody would ever pay a dealer/garage to do the job...would they?

I don't know much about this kind of thing. How does the heating element in the glass (or at the back of the glass?) connect to the switch inside the door? I mean, I get that it's all connected via the electrics inside the mirror body but the replacement just sounds too simple to be true!!

If somebody can reassure me that it really IS that easy, then (after kicking myself for not doing it when I needed it most over the winter) I'll order the mirrors today!

Cheers

Carolyn

ETA: It's a Fabia Comfort 2002 1.4i 8v if that matters!

Edited 2 May, 201016 yr by PiliPala

you will need to connect the wires for the heating element to work.

One thing I noticed when I replaced my mirror glass with an ebay special was the terminals where in a different position on the mirror back but there was enough wire to reach

you will need to connect the wires for the heating element to work.

One thing I noticed when I replaced my mirror glass with an ebay special was the terminals where in a different position on the mirror back but there was enough wire to reach

Ahaaa... I see, thanks very much for that. On a Haynes scale, is it a one-spanner job or a four-spanner, do you think (ie. is it a pretty straightforward task)?

How exactly are the terminals connected (sorry, I realise this is a stupid question to anybody with half a brain, but I'm really in the dark here)?

What tools would I need?

Does anybody have any pics / diagrams?

I'd really like to realistically assess my chances before buying the parts... although I suppose if I got the 2 mirrors, I could pay a garage another £40 to fit them if it's a fairly straightforward thing for them to do (under an hour's labour)... sigh.

Thanks again

half a spanner job, most difficult part is getting the old mirror glass off

half a spanner job

Ok I'll maybe give it a go... I work with a few reasonably competent males who are always up for proving their worth if I get stuck!!

Thanks a lot

Carolyn

Push the mirror in at the bottom as far as it'll go.

Now with as many fingertips as you can fit on the top edge of the mirror,

(If you've fat fingers you'll manage two or three of each hand)

And place your thumbs on the bottom of the mirror and gently lever the glass off with an even pressure across the whole of the mirror top.

Don't press too hard with your thumbs or you'll break the mirror

Unclip the two wires.

Refitting, Clip the two wires in and with the new glass in the palm of your hand (Spreads the pressure) offer up and clip into place!

Push the mirror in at the bottom as far as it'll go.

Now with as many fingertips as you can fit on the top edge of the mirror,

(If you've fat fingers you'll manage two or three of each hand)

And place your thumbs on the bottom of the mirror and gently lever the glass off with an even pressure across the whole of the mirror top.

Don't press too hard with your thumbs or you'll break the mirror

Unclip the two wires.

Refitting, Clip the two wires in and with the new glass in the palm of your hand (Spreads the pressure) offer up and clip into place!

Thanks for that Mike

Am going to check the fuse first... if I can find it.... think it's no. 38. Watch this space!

Hi

I too have just got a similar heated glass mirror replacement for £11 from Ebay for my 2002 L&K Octavia, i am clear on how they are fitted, but unsure of the 2 black wire connections, as the spade connectors on the new mirror are postioned differently. I know little about car electrics so does it matter which wire is fitted to which spade connection on the back of the new mirror? As both wires are black i'm guessing this must be a circuit of some sort? Any help and clarification on this would be great!

I got a set off my old fabia you can have for a few quid if you could collect. Been in my garage for months in fully working order.