Different side view mirror problem

[LA02MAX]

Hey all, hoping someone has experienced what I’m going through now with my side view mirror. I had the same issue everyone else has with the stupid power folding mirrors where they would fold in and immediately back out when the button was pressed. I know the fix for that and it’s very simple. My driver’s side mirror was also sorta wobbly and I decided “while I’m in there” to get this repair kit.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/26587395421...hoCCPcQAvD_BwE

I disassembled the folding motor assembly, put it all back together and when I press the button: nothing. The passenger mirror folds but the one I took apart doesn’t do anything. I assumed it was an electrical connection issue so I took it apart and tried again and still nothing. Fast forward through about 15 times of disassembly/assembly and I’m where I’m at now. I’ve put back all the original parts (thinking one of the parts from the kit was causing the issue) and I still don’t have a power folding mirror.

However, one thing I’ve found is that the motor works and spins freely when everything is disassembled. When I put a little pressure on it (like the housing it’s encased in does) the motor stops and won’t spin. So any time it’s assembled even 50% of the way, I get no rotation of the motor. This goes for the original and the new motor. Anybody else try this repair and run into the same issue? If so, what was the solution? I’m so annoyed with this thing I’m getting ready to throw it in the trash and source a new one. What a dumb design.

[80stech]

I think you probably have something binding because of the way you are assembling it. Or you have a problem with a connection not allowing the motor to get enough current.

[LA02MAX]

Yeah, trust me I've looked at the way it's being installed several times lol. The thing is, there's only one way it can be installed (at least up to the point where it stops working). There are alignment dowels, specific component shapes, etc that keep the orientation correct and the motor wires have to be routed a specific way for it to fit together.

In the attached picture, the motor will turn with the assembly like that. It'll also turn when i put those two pieces together, and the gears in that assembly will all rotate, no problem. But if I put a small amount of pressure with my thumb and pointer finger to sandwich those two pieces together until they're seated, the motor stops. It doesn't take much at all, and when you put the full housing together, there's definitely a bit of compression on that assembly. Regarding the electrical connection, the leads snap into the motor with a positive click. Other than that, the only connection I've messed with is the plug on the other end and I made sure that's secure.

[80stech]

It's been a long time since I had that apart but there should be no compression/binding at that point, maybe you have a problem with the wires at the top of the motor which is taking too much clearance?

[LA02MAX]

Ok. Got it figured out. Turns out, in all the permutations of mix and matching old vs. new parts, I got the motors mixed up, and I was using the new motor with all the other old parts. The way I discovered it was analyzing the length of the motor assemblies and it so happens that the new motor's shaft is ever so slightly longer, causing the bind. I didn't look into it before now since I thought I was already using the old motor which worked before, and it should have been right. Doh!

Anyway, thanks for your help, and for those doing this repair in the future: be advised that these repair kits may not match the OEM quality very well. I just tried it because it was $40 rather than $160 for a used OEM part that may have the same issues mine did. I could definitely grind down the tip of the motor a bit to make this work, but I'm just gonna keep the original parts and move on with my life.