X5 Folding mirrors problem

[SlickGT1]

Originally Posted by X5M-ISH

I have one of two mirrors that fold, but I suspect that the problem is in the switch in the driver side door than the actual mirror motor. What I found today:

Passenger side mirror:
*cover has been removed before.
*the entire motor assembly was clocked 90 degrees counter-clock on the mirror assembly (that attaches to the A-pillar).
*inside the motor assembly all gears moved freely (this is good)
*the actual gear on the motor shaft works
*the entire assembly was absolutely misaligned by whoever installed it
-the base of the motor was off 90 degrees
-the inner ring gear was out of its four respective grooves
-the entire inner assembly with the inner ring gear was out of phase 90 degrees to the outer motor assembly casing
-the actual folding part of the mirror was then out of phase by 33 degrees to the motor housing

The entire assembly is finally aligned. However...

*both the driver side and passenger side mirrors needed to be repaired at that tiny little sensor with the metal tongue that senses when the mirrors are open/closed
*passenger side metal tongue was just rattling about off the sensor

Those metal tongues are fixed, but here is why I suspect a faulty switch and unfortunately I don’t have access to my multi-meter:

At the drivers switch:
*driver side mirror is fully functional as in I can adjust glass angles vertically and horizontally
*passenger side mirror only adjusts vertically. Horizontal adjustment happens only one tiny bit at a time irrespective of holding down the adjustment button
*the glass by hand can be normally moved around by hand
*reverse tilt works and returns

Memory recall function:
*recall function causes the passenger mirror to fold in and not fold out
*recall function does nothing to the driver side mirror

Folding mirror button:
*driver side does nothing
*passenger side folds in but not out

If there is a mirror reset procedure, let me know else I am open to suggestions!

Horizontal motion in the mirror is a separate motor. You need to get to it by separating the glass and inner guts. Usually cleaning contacts solves the problem.

Driver and pass side mirror fold based on the microswitch position. I’m pretty sure your microswitch on driver side is jammed closed. The microswitch on pass side goes onto closed position when closing. And opens back up when it hits second groove. I would start there. But drivers side not moving at all, check the motor gets power even.

[X5M-ISH]

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

Horizontal motion in the mirror is a separate motor. You need to get to it by separating the glass and inner guts. Usually cleaning contacts solves the problem.

The microswitch...

Thanks for the tips. I popped off the passenger glass and disassembled the two-motor drive for the horizontal and vertical adjustment. Low and behold the contacts on the pivots had old greese stuck to them and the two little circuit boards were smeary. I cleaned everything up and partially assembled the mechanism back into the mirror housing. No bueno. What I forgot to do was verify while the two-motor black housing cover was off was whether the little motor that runs that horizontal/vertical pivot is faulty. Those can be had at a hobby store or pick and pull for a few dollars.

A new gremlin has emerged. Even though I didn’t verify the actual little motor being faulty or not, when I attempt to adjust the passenger mirror horizontally:
*adjusting right only adjusts a tiny bit at a time (no change in characteristics)
*adjusting left causes the entire passenger mirror to fold in

So, I’ll head to the pick and pull to grab the micro switches and a driver-side door mirror/window control unit and swap them in. If that doesn’t work then it’s off to ebay/classifieds for a verified working passenger mirror unit with good guts.

[SlickGT1]

Wtf. What do you mean the mirror folds when adjusting left? Like you press circle left and it folds? Fook. Is that some sort of craziness going on with the wires, or is this a fried switch? Maybe your door switch is fried. See if you can get your hands on one and try it out.

[X5M-ISH]

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

Wtf.

That’s exactly what I mean. Push the circle adjuster on the driver side for a leftward adjustment and the whole mirror swings in! Lmao! Pushing the circle on the right arrow does not swing the mirror back out.

I need someone local who will let me try their door switch. Cheapest used one on ebay is $60. I would like to verify a switch before buying one (or buying a used mirror assembly).

[Carsareart]

I wonder if the manual fold mirror frame will work on my 2006 x5. We had a 2001 x5 with manual mirrors and it was great. No problems with the mirrors.

I reset my mirrors today, they were getting floppy. Seems like we have problems with the mirrors when we use the power fold. Once I got the mirrors set for driving I disabled the power fold feature. I can still adjust the mirrors for driving. No more folding with the switch.

[Fifty150hs]

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I started having the problem of the electric folding mirrors folding in and then unfolding right away. Looked at some youtube fixes and pulled the microswitch on the left side. As in the video the lever for the switch had come off. I pinched it a little and put it back together and then put it back in, but still have the same problem. I watched it operating and the cam has the switch open when the mirror is parked either open or closed and closes the switch when operating between the two. So I pulled the switch out an operated it manually as it cycled as it should be operating. Still having the same problem. I suspect maybe the switch has gone bad? Anyone have a source for these switches? The only thing on the one I have is the manufacturer's name and no part number.

[X5chemist]

No luck on switches. I'm looking for them too.

[80stech]

It's not likely the switch contacts are the problem. Make sure BOTH (sides) switches are working properly.

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by 80stech

It's not likely the switch contacts are the problem. Make sure BOTH (sides) switches are working properly.

I didn't realize there were switches on both sides. The videos only talk about the left side. I'll check the right side. Thanks!

[Grant]

Originally Posted by Fifty150hs

I didn't realize there were switches on both sides. The videos only talk about the left side. I'll check the right side. Thanks!

This is apparently how I fixed it many moons ago:

I my case the the plastic pivot points were too worn down to reattach the metal spring. The microswitch itself is almost symmetric so I simply moved the spring to the opposite end of the microswtich and remounted the switch in reverse orientation. It's a bit fiddly getting the switch back in due to the wire routing, but can be done and works fine for me.

I do recall buying a number of microswitches from digikey but I can't remember if any of them were suitable replacements.