A3 heated wing-mirrors

[rfisher]

My A3 wing-mirrors are heating all the time.

I noticed tonight in the rain that they were dry and there were dried watermarks on them.

I presume there is a timing relay somewhere that needs replacing.

Anyone know where it is and part number?

TIA.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Are you sure there's not a twizzly switch near the window switch?

and, the A3 doesn't usually have wing mirrors....were they extras?

[rfisher]

No twizzly switch.

I think they come on if the outside temp is low and then switch off after a few minutes.

Or they may always come on when the engine is running but go off soon after startup - if you get my drift.

Car's great btw but mine really needs a cruise control.

[jeffers999]

Mine on my s3 come on if the temp below 4deg ....

[coolcatmaz]

mine come on if I put the heat control to the wind screen setting for de-misting.

[sleep envy]

coolcatmaz said:

mine come on if I put the heat control to the wind screen setting for de-misting.

I thought it was the rear demist?

[bones33]

No mine do to.

[coolcatmaz]

sleep envy said:

coolcatmaz said:

mine come on if I put the heat control to the wind screen setting for de-misting.

I thought it was the rear demist?

no, definitely for the front screen

[SpydieNut]

mine used to come on only when i put the rear de-mist on.

then some winker stole my driver's side glass and, after i replaced it, they're on all the time. tried changing the leads behind the glass - no help.

[sleep envy]

check the wiring in the door which leads to the mirror 0 if it is snagged and earths you may have found your problem (had the same with a BMW)

[rfisher]

Right - I've had a look in the handbook and it says that the exterior mirrors are heated when the ignition is on if the outside temperature is below 4degC.

Just need to wait for some effing warm weather to make sure they are off when they should be.

Interestingly I noticed that the car has door lock heaters activated for 50 seconds if below 4degC by pulling the door handle and releasing - clever these Germans.

[Deva Link]

rfisher said:

clever these Germans.

..but a bit of an odd feature these days with central locking.

[rfisher]

It was warm today and they were still on so I reckon I need a new external air temperature sensor.

It lives in the front passenger side wing somewhere so I'm going to have a hunt around for it after I've checked the fuse.

Exciting eh?

[lethallizzy]

'wing mirrors'? what are they?!??!

[ewenm]

sleep envy said:

coolcatmaz said:

mine come on if I put the heat control to the wind screen setting for de-misting.

I thought it was the rear demist?

Thta's what happens on my 02 car.