Heated euro mirrors

[fmugur]

I got a pair of euro heated and auto dim mirrors with blind spots but my original mirrors were not heated so I have no connector for the that.
I don't think I need the heating option but I was wondering what wondering if I can retrofit that. Is there a switch on the door to turn them on or the heating is auto controlled.
I have/had heated mirrors on the other car but I barely use the heating part.

[SlickGT1]

I believe your heated mirrors should turn on with the rear defog.

[Helmuth]

That is exactly the case. Rear window defrost heats the mirrors.

[fmugur]

I guess should look for two wires in he door harness that get power when I turn the defroster on. Unfortunately I didn't see the connector in the mirror case and it might not be worth the effort unless I find it in the door somewhere.

[Dark5yde]

Sorry to bring up a old thread, but better than making a similar one. Is there any indication that the mirrors are on and heating up besides the obvious melting of snow/ice?

[Qsilver7]

Actually, the heating elements in the mirrors are controlled automatically based on data from the ambient temp sensor sent to the IKE and GM and operate even when the rear defroster isn't on.

Heated side view mirrors not only help clear snow & ice...but the heating feature also keeps them from fogging up when weather conditions can created excess condensation.

You should be able to feel the warmth on the surface of the mirror glass when ambient temps are cool. Just roll the window down and touch them after the car has been driven a while...the glass should be warm to the touch. You can also check them when you get to your destination. This, of course, is if they are working correctly and the heating elements haven't burnt out over the years.

See the bottom of the chart below for the exterior side mirror's heating cycle:

[Helmuth]

Hm,

I was always thinking the mirror heating is powered on when I power on my rear window heating. Maybe that is know-how from my former car. Are you sure that the mirrors are automatically heated depending on the outside temperature?

But sounds great !!

Thanks, Helmuth

[Dark5yde]

Well my outside temp today was between 34-37°F and My mirrors never felt warm at all, at any point. So either they dont work, they need the defroster or I was lied too when I bought it.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Dark5yde

Well my outside temp today was between 34-37°F and My mirrors never felt warm at all, at any point. So either they dont work, they need the defroster or I was lied too when I bought it.

The heating elements do burn out eventually. I've had to replace mirrors in my e34 & e38. Did you check both sides? Have you checked to see if the wires are plugged in (if you're not the original owner)?

Originally Posted by Helmuth

Are you sure that the mirrors are automatically heated depending on the outside temperature?

My personal experience is yes...that is how they work. In fact, if you have a BMW that has an erratic or failed ambient temp sensor that consistently displays -40 degrees...any time you touch the mirror it is warm unless the mirror has already burnt out due to it being on 100% of the time the car is running.

And if we are to believe the document above...which is BMW's information about the ZKE (central body electronics)...then the chart is probably at least partially right...BMW has screwed things up before in either the translation from German to English...or overwrote the description in an attempt to include as many models as possible in one swoop of the pen.

For example, see the old information below about the e38 (1995-2001) & e32 (1988-1995) 7 series where it mentions that the ambient temp sensor & that they are automatically heated...and again, this would be to counteract fogging over with condensation when you may not need to use the rear window defogger:

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