Introduction
The reason why the JSW/GSW Sportwagen TDI is also included is because despite being called a mk6 after 2010, they still use the mk5 side view mirrors. This is because they're still built off a mk5 chassis. The side view mirror housing, glass, motor, and turn signal are also used in the mk4 VW Passat after about 2003-2004. The wiring harness may be different but the rest should be interchangeable.
A common reason to remove the side view mirror is to replace it with a blind spot aspheric mirror. This is a wide angle mirror. They are not DOT approved on the driver's side and may not be legal where you live so installation is your responsibility. See 1000q: blind spot mirror installation on mk5 VW for more details.
The side view mirror turn signals are LED and should never require a new
bulb. They are sealed non serviceable units. Here it is
disassembled. In my case, I think someone hit the mirror housing in a
parking lot which broke the seal and let moisture enter. This corroded the
circuit board. I got it working after a quick repair but I threw out the assembly because the cover was cracked and replacements are cheap. There is a single LED in the front and two on the sides.
T10 torx screwdriver
phillips screwdriver if mk4 VW Passat
Left turn signal VW# 1k0 949 101 (1k0949101)
left mirror housing: VW# 1k0 857 537 gru (1k0857537gru) primed
Right turn signal VW# 1k0 949 102 (1k0949102)
right mirror housing VW# 1k0 857 538 gru (1k0857538gru) primed
For regular, blind spot, or tinted mirror part numbers, see 1000q: blind spot mirror installation
Turn the mirror all the way to the inside edge. Stick your fingers at
the edges of the mirror and gently peel it back. The mirror is plastic so
it has some flex.
Remove the heater wires and the mirror. Note which wire goes where.
If you have a mk4 Passat, the center position of the mirror adjustment knob
isn't off, it's actually heat (pictured below). As a result, it's very
common for it to be burnt out. Later cars like the mk5 Jetta TDI or Golf
TDI changed the center position to off.
To remove the motor, remove the 3x T10 torx screws. If you have a Passat,
they are phillips screws. Unplug the motor plug and remove the motor.
I can't remember, but I think removing the motor is necessary to remove the
black inner trim (that later cars don't have). First try working around
it.
To remove the mirror cover, use a screwdriver wrapped in tape or a plastic
pry tool to pull the housing cover straight up. After you release the
clips holding the cover to the turn signal (shown below for illustration), the
cover should pop straight up. I found that if you fold the entire side
view mirror assembly in or out, you can use a pry to help pop the inside of the
housing straight up.
Here is what you're removing.
Here are the clips on the turn signal shown after removal (blue arrows). You want to release these before pulling the housing up.
If you have a Passat, the turn signal wire goes through a little holder marked with the green box. The later cars don't have this.
Now push the clips marked with purple arrows
and slide the black inner trim off towards the rear of the car.
2010 (and probably 2009) cars don't have the black inner trim and the mirror motor is
different. The rest is the same.
Remove the 2x T10 torx screws holding the turn
signal to the metal assembly (two blue arrows below). If you have a passat they're phillips screws.
A long thin screwdriver can work around the motor if it's still in place.
Pull the turn signal plug out (don't pull plugs by their wires, grasp the plug) and you
now have access to the 2x T10 screws or phillips screws holding the turn signal
to the base. The turn signal also has a little hook halfway between the
arrows (visible below). Make sure to release it and the turn signal will
effortlessly come off.
Here is another picture of the turn signal and side view mirror cover which
shows how they fit together. Installation is
the reverse of disassembly.
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