Mirror not dipping

StuBeeDoo · Post by **StuBeeDoo** » Tue May 16, 2023 5:57 am

Since I fitted new mirror covers last week, the passenger side one doesn't dip when I reverse. I know the switch has to be set to the driver's side, so that isn't the problem.

TBH, when I refitted the glass on that side it was catching on the frame and wouldn't move at all until I moved it manually.

Any suggestions, please, chaps?

TIA

sapphireblack · Post by **sapphireblack** » Tue May 16, 2023 6:04 am

Is the replacement cover definitely not fouling the mirror?

StuBeeDoo · Post by **StuBeeDoo** » Tue May 16, 2023 7:17 am

The glass moves fine with normal adjustment using the button, it just doesn't dip when I select reverse.

I'm wondering if the module has run-up the white flag because I tried too many times to get the glass to move before I realised it was caught.

StuBeeDoo · Post by **StuBeeDoo** » Sat May 20, 2023 4:46 pm

I've had the glass out again. I think I have somehow stripped teeth off the mech. that moves the mirror side-to-side. Obviously that won't be the problem with the tipping function. I didn't, however, take the cover off to check for wiring damage.

A trawl around the 'net suggests to check if the reversing lights are working. I assume the tipping function must be controlled through the rev. lights switch.

I might have another look, including having the cover off again, in the next couple of days. If it's not something with a simple(ish) cure it's either live with it, or a replacement mirror unit.

sapphireblack · Post by **sapphireblack** » Wed May 24, 2023 7:51 am

If these issues started from changing the cover, logic says it must be related

StuBeeDoo · Post by **StuBeeDoo** » Wed May 24, 2023 2:02 pm

sapphireblack wrote: Wed May 24, 2023 7:51 amIf these issues started from changing the cover, logic says it must be related

I know.

As above, I know I've stripped some teeth off the side-to-side drive, but up and down is OK, so the reverse-dip should work.

I'm going to have the cover off again this afternoon. It's almost as if the switch is in the wrong position - but it isn't. I got Wor Lass to check the reversing lights the other day and she says they are fine.

StuBeeDoo · Post by **StuBeeDoo** » Wed May 24, 2023 4:03 pm

Right, I've been out there since my last post and had it all apart again. There is no obvious reason for it not dipping;- no trapped/obviously damaged wires. TBH, it's got to be a coincidence with its source elsewhere. There is no reason for specific wiring in the mirror itself, all that is needed is a sensor somewhere that that detects when reverse is selected and activates the up/down motor in the mirror as necessary - providing the switch is set to the driver's side. All the other mirror electrics work as they should.

For the foreseeable I'll just operate the mirror myself, when necessary. I don't suppose anything will come-up on a scan, but I might try anyway -maybe tomorrow.

marti · Post by **marti** » Wed May 24, 2023 4:10 pm

Tried the magic battery reset ??...disconnect battery for 1/2hr.

StuBeeDoo · Post by **StuBeeDoo** » Wed May 24, 2023 4:53 pm

Could try it, I suppose...........

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Wed May 24, 2023 6:39 pm

Dipping was the first thing we lost on the E46 and that’s now progressed to loss of all functionality. I need to get the door apart to see if the ribbon cable is cracked and the connections are clean. The electronics for the mirror are £400!! It’s controlled from the Driver’s side mirror and has a small module on the passenger door itself fed from the other door. Complicated or what!

sapphireblack · Post by **sapphireblack** » Wed May 24, 2023 8:22 pm

I'm some distance from my X6 right now, but isn't there a lead connection point in the door jamb grommet?

The wiring within fails over time as it fractures. An easy point/place to start looking?

That said i eventually gave up trying to sort these kinds of issues on my E53. In the end, i bit the bullet and replaced both sides. Over £1000 at the time and it was only the internals, frame, cover, glass were all re-used.

StuBeeDoo · Post by **StuBeeDoo** » Thu May 25, 2023 10:19 am

StuBeeDoo wrote: Wed May 24, 2023 4:03 pmI don't suppose anything will come-up on a scan, but I might try anyway -maybe tomorrow.

Well, whaddayaknow.......... I've just scanned it and the FRM is showing 2 faults - left exterior mirror potentiometer faulty and left exterior mirror heater faulty. I've reset it, and will report back next time I drive the car.

There's a secondhand mirror on eBay at the moment for £120. I'm not a fan of secondhand parts but I might give it a try, if necessary.

StuBeeDoo · Post by **StuBeeDoo** » Fri May 26, 2023 4:31 pm

StuBeeDoo wrote: Thu May 25, 2023 10:19 amI've reset it, and will report back next time I drive the car.

The fault came straight back. It's definitely a case of either live without the reverse-dip function or replace the mirror. If the heater function is still faulty as well (haven't scanned it again yet, so not sure) I probably will replace the mirror, as the car lives outside all year round.

StuBeeDoo · Post by **StuBeeDoo** » Fri May 26, 2023 8:20 pm

There's an eBay seller with a brand new genuine BMW motor assembly. It's not much more than the secondhand mirror assembly, so I'm very tempted.

sapphireblack · Post by **sapphireblack** » Sat May 27, 2023 6:06 am

If that motor comes with any warranty and the swap means not having to remove the door card, i think that's where my focus would be. Door card removal is always a pita.

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