Help with those little annoying things....
 

I've had my `03 4.4 for 8 months now and really like it. It was serviced at the dealer since new and is in amazing shape. I think I got lucky, after reading so many horror stories. There's only a few small issues that are really starting to get on my nerves...
First, my wing mirrors won't stay folded out. They are not the powered ones, and the wind on the highway folds them halfway in to where they become useless. Everything I've searched for is info on the electric folding ones. Do I just need to pop the cover off and dig around, or is there an easy fix somewhere?

Second, my Key Fobs don't work. I figured the batteries where dead in both fobs. I found a DIY on xoutpost and followed it to replace the battery, but it only lasted for a couple months, and the range was terrible after the first couple weeks. Could they not be charging? is there a way to test? is there a fuse I could check somewhere? Could it be the new batteries?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I've tried to search as best I can, although the search function doesn't always work.
Thanx,
Nick

I have an 02 4.4..... I've never heard of a mirror problem. because it's both mirrors find out if they might be after-market. prior owner could have knocked them off going in and out of the garage. I would pop the rear cover off and see if there is a spring tension spring that is broken or loose mounting screws. I think the mirror cover just pops off.

I was told the key battery charges when it's in the ignition. You might want to...if you can leave the key in the ignition overnight in the "off" position. Speaking of batteries I replaced my MB battery keys with Radio Shack batteries and they only lasted a few months....very cheap Chinese batteries. I now order online "Interstate" replacement batteries for keys. It's also very possible the batteries you used were not chargeable ones. Most key replacement battery's ARE NOT chargeable. The range is fine when the key works right...very far.
Largest selection of AAA, AA, C, D, 9V nimh Rechargeable Replacement Batteries, Chargers, Sanyo, Eneloop, Maha, Imedion, Powerex

http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/...y-fob-e53.html

That is the DIY I used to swap the batteries, which I ordered from the link in said DIY. Lately, the key has started to work from time to time. It seems to be when it's cold, but could be a coincidence. The Battery that I bought was just a little different from the one that was stock. Does anyone have a link to an OEM Battery?

Although the keys do indeed charge while in the ignition...but they DO NOT charge when the ignition is OFF. The ignition needs to be in KL-R, KL-15, or KL-30 (which are ignition position 1, 2, and where it returns after KL-50...the start position). :)

It takes up to 30 hours to recharge a discharged remote key. My suggestion for recharging a remote key would be hooking up a battery charger (or remote AC battery pack) to the jump start terminals in the engine bay, then leave the key in ignition position 1 (has the least amount of components powered up):



http://bimmerboard.com/members/q/ori...%20Diagram.jpg

IMO the battery swap is a temporary fix at best as the issues seem to return. Way I see it, my first key was good for 9 years, and at $250 per key, that's less than $30/yr for piece of mind....