E53 power folding mirror issues discussed (video)
 

https://youtu.be/XpjaA3eg4YY

I wanted to make a general video about what i often see wrong with the floppy mirrors and wanted to show you the insides of the mirror assemblies ( a bit)'
this is not a guide to fix, but rather to help you diagnose if you are having same problems
Hope this helps others.

Thanks for the video. I'm experiencing some bad flop. This might be beyond my very limited capabilities, but your video is helpful so at least I can describe what the problem is.

you're most welcome.
it can be quite tedious to work on these mirrors, but ultimately, they are not that bad, just as long as you ahve the tools, patience and some understanding of HOW they work and WHAT is the symptoms.

Nice. Mine needs new limit switches. The folding motors will probably last a long time for me. I have no idea how long the limit switches have out of range. I fixed them and they worked for a while. I'll probably install replacements.

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...

BTDT.... three words....

Hot

Melt

Glue.

;)

If you guys want, I could try to make a video about opening Up the grey metal housing that covers the tiny motor and gears and you can see HOW it is done (tho admittedly, I would have a motor off the vehicle already) and what it looks like inside.
I will admit, it's a lot tougher when the motor is still sitting quite tightly on the mirror base (even after you undo the 4 tiny torx screw from bottom side of mirror base) because it is still connected to the red and green wires/harness...
T ho I GUESS a person COULD always take the interior door panel/card off the door with problem mirror and then disconnect the wire harness connector inside then there would be a decent amount of slack in wire harness so when you are back on outside of vehicle, working on mirror, there would be lots more room to move... More parts to remove but a hell of a lot more happiness while working on it.
I can explain why in the video, should I be requested to make one.


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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

:doh:

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

:band:

I just folded up a small piece of cardboard and jammed it between the mirror housing and mounting bracket. It doesn't fold in anymore, but at least it stays in one position now. I do need to replace the cardboard periodically, but, hey, it's a no-cost fix.

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.

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 :)

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. :thumbup:

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.