Just wired my power fold mirrors to my ignition to auto fold in/out

[dpbayly]

After retro fitting the power fold mirrors with the switch module a few months back I always folded them before leaving the car but a few weeks ago both mirrors became intermittent responding to the switch so I decided I'd re wire them to auto fold,

so I set about investigating how there wired armed with my Power Probe I discovered the motors have 2 wire and there fed with a + and - to fold them in then the polarity reverses down the wires to make them go back out so I knew I'd need a dpdt relay (double pole double throw) I also discovered the + and - was only fed down the wires for 10 seconds or so before they became nothing so I then knew I'd need to source some timer relays and Id need 1 standard 5 pin relay to activate everything off the ignition.

So picked everything up and set about drawing out the wiring diagram (looked like spaghetti junction wires everywhere) after I checked and double checked everything for back feed issues and things i then set about hooking it all up, I managed to do all the wiring in the passenger footwell behind the glove box where the fuse box is located so I could tap into an Ignition switched + and a constant + and a - all one place and all I had to do from there was lay the wires through into the doors to tap into the mirror circuit.

Anyway here's the finished product:


[youtube]http://youtu.be/NShaGyuKhm0[/youtube]

[shadrack]

nice, but cant you set that with the scanner or inpa

[dpbayly]

From what I could find out yes I think?????? but I think you need to hold the lock button on the key fob for 2 seconds to make them fold (to much of a faff if you ask me) but then I've also read that It's not possible on an E53 with out buying a £150 intravee.

Maybe someone who has actually programmed it can chime in with confirmation....

[graemeX5]

Very neat

[Raj]

Nice touch. I did think about doing this (and on previous models I've owned) but the thing for is the motor burning out with the constant folding in/out. Most of the time I don't need them folded, etc.

[Steamyrotter]

[quote="dpbayly"]

Maybe someone who has actually programmed it can chime in with confirmation....
[/quote]

If you can get me a set at the right price I'll let you know....

[dpbayly]

Took mine apart and cleaned and greased all the moving parts before I fitted the mirrors when I performed the retro fit that said new gears are readily available cheaply for a rebuild.

[Caesium]

Blimey they move quick, mine take about 3-4 seconds to fold either way.

[MrMaloo]

Nice modification!!! I too would be concerned about wear and tear on the motors and gears but if they can be easily replaced then its all good. I need to open my mirror casings - is it as much of an ordeal as everyone says? I dont want to break any retaining tabs - can it be done without causing any harm? Are plastic trim tools the way to go?

[dpbayly]

[quote="Caesium"]
Blimey they move quick, mine take about 3-4 seconds to fold either way.
[/quote]

Probably down to me stripping cleaning and greasing the mechanisms when I first got the mirrors before fitting them.

[dpbayly]

[quote="MrMaloo"]
Nice modification!!! I too would be concerned about wear and tear on the motors and gears but if they can be easily replaced then its all good. I need to open my mirror casings - is it as much of an ordeal as everyone says? I dont want to break any retaining tabs - can it be done without causing any harm? Are plastic trim tools the way to go?
[/quote]

I didn't read any how too's when I stripped them down and I managed it with ease and nothing broke just gentle does it is all I can say.

[AW8]

Great little Mod that

[dpbayly]

Thanks,

In case anyone is interested in the wiring diagram if you fancy carrying out this mod here is how its done (click on the image to see it in full size):



and relays used:

2 X Timer relays

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121219637774? ... 4163948919

1 X DPDT relay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DPDT-12VDC-Pl ... 4167623800

1 X Standard 5 pin relay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-Pin-Changeo ... 4169811218

[Colin]

Tidy , i just had a quick count  and over a week with my work and weekend driving  if my mirrors were wired like yours they would fold out/in maybe 60 times , what happens in heavy frost can you override them if there frozen ..

[dpbayly]

Well I ran the same mod on my E39 M5 mirrors through 2 winters even in heavy snow and there was never an issue but if wanted a toggle switch could be fitted in the Switched ignition 12V then you could switch the mod completely off.