side folding mirror fixed with pics

[80stech]

Does anyone want to sell me their none working mirrors? I think I have come up with a way to fix the folding mechanism and make it more reliable but I need some mirrors to set up a jig and to experiment with.

[Rogthedodge]

I know this is an old thread but I sourced my switch from RS Components Ltd. I expect they would ship to the US.
SPDT-NO/NC Roller Lever Microswitch, 3 A @ 250 V ac

• RS Stock No. 472-8291
• Mfr. Part No. V4NSYRUL
• Brand Saia-Burgess

They are £5.72 each

£6.86 with VAT for 1 to 49 units + free shipping in the UK
You still have to swap over the lever.
Connect Blue wire to Blue wire in harness and
Red wire to the white/yellow wire in harness

Hope this info helps somebody.

[amancuso]

On mine, both mirrors fold inward, then the pass. one unfolds, and shortly thereafter the driver's one also unfolds. I don't know if that means the D or P one is busted. I undid the passengerside cover and the rocker switch was in position but it fell off when I removed the switch. I was able to re assemble it though and I put it back together. Problem persists.

[titodj]

Originally Posted by Clockwork

here is a video of a power folding motor being taken apart
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cWln6UQOQI this is the part I need to fix myself.
PS: you can see the white ring I spoke about which I slightly modified on mine.

This was really helpful... Thanks !

[Russianblue]

Originally Posted by 80stech

Does anyone want to sell me their none working mirrors? I think I have come up with a way to fix the folding mechanism and make it more reliable but I need some mirrors to set up a jig and to experiment with.

80stech, did you ever get a chance to complete this R&D?

[80stech]

As far as the switch goes it seems it is very repairable. The metal lever can usually be straightened out and with a little manipulation can be put back on with a tighter fit. A small dab of glue on the end of the pivot stub or even drilling and pinning the lever would pretty much solve that problem. My plan was to use proximity sensors but I was overthinking that since the original system is not as hoaky as it looks. I never went much further with the gear problem because I have my mirrors working again and have other priorities but I have it figured out and have a possible (not easy) fix for it in my head and have collected some of the needed parts.

[80stech]

Originally Posted by amancuso

On mine, both mirrors fold inward, then the pass. one unfolds, and shortly thereafter the driver's one also unfolds. I don't know if that means the D or P one is busted. I undid the passengerside cover and the rocker switch was in position but it fell off when I removed the switch. I was able to re assemble it though and I put it back together. Problem persists.

Definetly make sure both switches are good.

[Russianblue]

I believe I have a problem with the gears. Right side works fine. Left side goes click click click click click and doesn't sound good. moves about 0.5 inch, does the loud clicking routine and then stops. Never folds.

are you thinking it is probably way easier to just purchase a known working setup and replace the whole assembly rather than fix the gear?

I'd have to find one that matches what I have currently with the ground convenience light. Also, these 2005 3.0i mirrors compared to my 2003 3.0i have a pronounced black bezel around them.

that Taiwanese video that's been floating around youtube for years is helpful but it's not 100% apparent to me exactly how they are fixing it.

I'm not spending $300-$400 to fix this problem. Only interested if I can get it done on the cheap. Not something I am gonna use much except at the car wash and a few other places.

[80stech]

Getting a good used one (at least the motor unit, about $100) is your best bet, That is what I did and then you have time to repair at your convenience. The videos show them replacing either the ring gear or the driving gear set which gets the mirror working again but doesn't really fix the problem. Right and Left are different.

[Russianblue]

update. I went in for surgery on the mirror yesterday with the goal of trying to figure out what the hell is wrong with mine.

getting the mirror cover off was a bitch. I broke the (bmw classic plastic) tabs on the bottom edge but it turns out they aren't super essential. the cover fits snugly without them.

anyway, I dislodged the microswitch when I took off the switch cover so I don't know if it was loose or not.

but I was able to see how this thing works because I noticed that when the switch is in position, when the mirror passes a certain point, a detent in the motor housing (I think) presses the switch on and off quickly. so I took the switch out and held with my hand. I pressed the button to activate the mirrors. I found that if I pressed the switch ONE time at any point in their open/close travel, they would stop at the appropriate point. if I did not press the switch lever, the mirrors would either continue on (click, click click) or close/open again to their original position.

ultimately I am not sure if I figured out anything. but, the mirrors SORTA work now. definitely better than before. the left mirror has gone from not working at all to working pretty well with the exception of the fact that I get a click click click when on the left when they open back up. It's almost as though the switch is getting pressed too close to the end of the travel. alternatively, the switch could just be bad and need to be replaced. I may try that route but this I low priority. I was willing to give it an hour or so and basically just pulled it apart and put it back together and now it works a little better than before. I am sure I will have to repair it again at some point.

there was also this rubber cord/gasket piece about 2 inches long that had been hanging from the housing which I have NO idea where it came from. but not gonna worry about it. I might take the other side apart to see if I can tell a diff between the two but will wait til the weather is a little better.