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    Heated Mirror Question.

    Is it possible for heated mirrors to work on a car that was not equipped with it from the factory? I'll be buying new heated mirrors and glass but I wanted to make sure that they'll work with cars not equipped with them. Also I've been reading and getting mixed answers about how they operate. Some say they come on automatically no matter what, comes on only at a certain temp outside, come on only when rear defroster are activated. Also, for anyone who actuall has working heated mirrors, is there any discoloration on your mirrors? I've also read that after time the mirrors will get discolored. So based on that I'm still a little lost at how the activate. Any help would be appreciated.

    #2
    They are powered thru a pair of small black splice wires in the door wiring harness that ties into a constant power/ground with key on, then there is a built in temp control switch (in the mirror element) that turns the heater elements off automatically at 100deg if I remember right .so they cycle on off automatically using the that built in switch. And yes they can discolor over time but are cheap to replace.I've been told most cars have the wires in the door harness (just folded/taped over to harness) on cars that didn't have heated mirrors installed,this made for an easy dealer upgrade later

    Sent from my SM-G360V using Tapatalk
    Angus
    88 E30M3 X2
    89 325IX
    92 R100GS/PD
    :)

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      #3
      Originally posted by spdracrm3 View Post
      They are powered thru a pair of small black splice wires in the door wiring harness that ties into a constant power/ground with key on, then there is a built in temp control switch (in the mirror element) that turns the heater elements off automatically at 100deg if I remember right .so they cycle on off automatically using the that built in switch. And yes they can discolor over time but are cheap to replace.I've been told most cars have the wires in the door harness (just folded/taped over to harness) on cars that didn't have heated mirrors installed,this made for an easy dealer upgrade later

      Sent from my SM-G360V using Tapatalk
      So if I just bought the heated mirror (with the two wires behind the mirror drive mechanism) and the heated glass with the two prongs will I be all set? I basically want to know if it's plug and play. From what I've read all I need is the heated mirror glass and the heated mirror housing.

      Comment


        #4
        Not sure you need a different housing ,just the heated mirror glass and find the wires in the existing harness an feed them thru to mirror. Never done this personally just what I was told .I would look for the wires in your wiring harness before looking for a different harness or mirror. If found it's plug and play (you can check voltage with meter to confirm it's good and no issues with splice or door jamb connector)

        Sent from my SM-G360V using Tapatalk
        Angus
        88 E30M3 X2
        89 325IX
        92 R100GS/PD
        :)

        Comment


          #5
          Reminds me i got the heated glass for my 89 ix and never installed it ,maybe ill try to do it tomorrow if I can find the mirror

          Sent from my SM-G360V using Tapatalk
          Angus
          88 E30M3 X2
          89 325IX
          92 R100GS/PD
          :)

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by spdracrm3 View Post
            Not sure you need a different housing ,just the heated mirror glass and find the wires in the existing harness an feed them thru to mirror. Never done this personally just what I was told .I would look for the wires in your wiring harness before looking for a different harness or mirror. If found it's plug and play (you can check voltage with meter to confirm it's good and no issues with splice or door jamb connector)

            Sent from my SM-G360V using Tapatalk
            I have two black wires behind the mirror panel inside of the car but I think that's for the tweeters, right?

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              #7


              Wires in mirror harness with mini spade connectors

              Sent from my SM-G360V using Tapatalk
              Angus
              88 E30M3 X2
              89 325IX
              92 R100GS/PD
              :)

              Comment


                #8
                Yes wires inside behind tweeter panel are for speakers

                Sent from my SM-G360V using Tapatalk
                Angus
                88 E30M3 X2
                89 325IX
                92 R100GS/PD
                :)

                Comment


                  #9
                  Just tried installing my heated mirror on the IX and the short black wires are not there like they are on my M3 mirror,so what I was told is wrong ,you either need the heated harness/mirror or need to splice into mirror wire to make it work.M3 mirror motor (red)spliced wires to Brn and Blu on M3no wires on IX white

                  Sent from my SM-G360V using Tapatalk
                  Angus
                  88 E30M3 X2
                  89 325IX
                  92 R100GS/PD
                  :)

                  Comment


                    #10
                    removing heated harness from removed M3 mirror to swap into IX mirror.yes all wires fit thru grommet with some finesse

                    Sent from my SM-G360V using Tapatalk
                    Angus
                    88 E30M3 X2
                    89 325IX
                    92 R100GS/PD
                    :)

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Originally posted by spdracrm3 View Post
                      Just tried installing my heated mirror on the IX and the short black wires are not there like they are on my M3 mirror,so what I was told is wrong ,you either need the heated harness/mirror or need to splice into mirror wire to make it work.M3 mirror motor (red)spliced wires to Brn and Blu on M3no wires on IX white

                      Sent from my SM-G360V using Tapatalk
                      Thanks for the pics and thorough explination. I just ordered the heated mirror housings. Now all I have to do is check to see if my exterior temp sensor is reading/working properly the last thing I want is for my heated mirrors to be on at a very high temp because my exterior temp gauge is telling the heating module its 40 degrees outside.

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Outside temp sensor has nothing to do with mirror heaters, as explained earlier power is contantly supplied to mirror with Ign key on(as you can see it's spliced into mirror motor wires), and the thermostat that regulates mirror temp is built into the mirror heating grid .it cycles on and off by itself .

                        Sent from my SM-G360V using Tapatalk
                        Angus
                        88 E30M3 X2
                        89 325IX
                        92 R100GS/PD
                        :)

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Successful heated mirror transplant

                          Sent from my SM-G360V using Tapatalk
                          Angus
                          88 E30M3 X2
                          89 325IX
                          92 R100GS/PD
                          :)

                          Comment


                            #14
                            And passenger side done with new heated mirror ,and they work!

                            Sent from my SM-G360V using Tapatalk
                            Angus
                            88 E30M3 X2
                            89 325IX
                            92 R100GS/PD
                            :)

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