E53 power folding mirror issues discussed (video)

[80stech]

If you guys cut the 2 motor wires and install connectors it makes servicing much easier. I used gold D-sub connector pins and heat shrink.

[Clockwork]

Originally Posted by ajs116

Thanks Mike. I've been digging into old threads and YouTube videos over the past couple hours. Found a couple that show the disassembly of the motor/housing. One video shows with mirror connected and the other while disconnected. I think I'm starting to figure it out from these. Do you think these videos portray the removal and replacement accurately?

https://youtu.be/U0y66AdlCLQ

https://youtu.be/_cWln6UQOQI

thst first link, where the entire mirror assembly is removed from door, is great! I mean if you can open door card to disconnect wire harness, may as well jsut remove the 3 bolts holding entire thing to door and then fix it tlsewhere. nice vide and makes sense to me but I've done it a bunch

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by X5chemist

Like a simple hot glue gun? I have a cordless hot glue gun.

Yep - most times the folding issue is that one (or both) of the micro-switches has jumped out of it's mount location. A small dab of hot melt glue in the correct spot (to hold the switch in place) and a little white lithium grease on the cam and you're good for years of operation.

Sometimes you'll also find the actuator lever on the micro-switch has been torn off or bent - this results from attempted folding operations AFTER the switch has popped out of location and the mirror cam jams the lever.

[Clockwork]

just replaced a Right Side mirror motor in about an hour last night.
the old one was tired and I could see it closing slower thna the left side, until it didnt close at all.
SO i replaced it with an OE motor and motor housing from a pick-your-part car lot (I actually grabbed like 6 of these motors years ago when at a yard, for future use, like last night).
installed and tested and works like a brand new mirror again. AND its just as fast as the left side, again. So, WOOHOO, for like $5. simple fix.
SO< remember, when at a pick your part yard... look for great condiition (no busted motor housings) motors and take them home for future use... cause you WILL need it, one day.

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by ajs116

I took the E53 to my independent Euro shop and they're quoting me $1,700 to fix the driver side mirror! $1,100 for the part (entire assembly) + $600 for labor...

Guess I need to shop around or figure out Plan B...

I got a used one on line from Ebay. Works just fine. It's not a difficult swap. You do have to remove the door card to do it. The nice thing is that the painted cover can be taken off the one you have on your X now and put it on the "new" mirror. That way it doesn't matter what color you buy as long as it is working.

I tried one of the repair kits on line and they don't work, so IMO getting a junk yard unit that works is the best way to go.

[Homerlovesbeer]

I really need to fix both left hand side of my two X5's