How to repair sun-visor mirror lights W210

[Blobcat]

The sun-visor mirror lights in my W210 have not worked for awhile so I decided to strip them down over lunch today:

Here you can see that the mirror is open but the light is not working;

If I short out the connectors with my knife the light comes on so I know that the bulb and wiring are OK;

To remove the mirror housing you need to prise it out from the bottom;

You can see the clips on the back of the mirror housing here

Now you can see the switch

Next

 

[Blobcat]

Next I removed the switch from the mounting and pulled off the two wires. Then I applied a liberal dose of contact cleaning lubricant and worked the switch repeatedly to clean the contacts.

Now with the wires reconnected the switch works when only half pressed where previously it had to be fully pressed for the light to work.

Refit the mirror housing by inserting the top first then pressing the bottom section in. Then open the mirror lid and the light should work

Not a big job by any stretch of the imagination but it did bug me that the lights didn't work.

 

[C220GJS]

Amazing what you can do with a Swiss Army Knife !!!, good writeup Blobcat.

 

[television]

Amazing what you can do with a Swiss Army Knife !!!, good writeup Blobcat.

Yes its good, and I am pleased the Blobcat has now seen the light.


Malcolm

PS,, the moss on your wall can be dissolved with hydrochloric acid, diluted to 10%,its nature friendly.

Malcolm

 

[Blobcat]

Amazing what you can do with a Swiss Army Knife !!!, good writeup Blobcat.

That could be a whole new thread
I have a very nice snap-on electroset with just about every hand tool for Radio/Electronic service. However that used to live in the back of the car, the Swiss Army knife in my pocket ensured I did a lot less walking back to the car for my tools

PS,, the moss on your wall can be dissolved with hydrochloric acid, diluted to 10%,its nature friendly.

Malcolm

Those are the flagstones outside my office and I like the rustic look

 

[Daeths]

dodgy vanity mirror lights

Blobcat,

Great explanantion and "how to". Both of mine are knackered at present, however the aircon stuck on windscreen and self operating interior light were taking priority.

Seeing how easy it is I have printed out and will tackle as soon as she is back from the bodyshop.

It will be good to tick another niggle off the list

 

[Lammy]

Blobcat many thanks for a great writeup. Mine are not working both sides so I will give that a try this weekend

Cheers,
Steve

 

[Lammy]

I have ordered some contact cleaning solution to fix the switches which should arrive tomorrow so I'll give it a go. However I have one mirror insert that needs replacing on my W210 due to broken lugs on the flap. Does anyone know if I can just order the mirror insert/flap separately or is buying the entire visor the only option? The part I need is exactly the same as the pictures above on a facelift w210.

Thanks in advance

 

[Lammy]

Does anybody know if the detachable mirror unit can be bought separately from the whole visor?

 

[Daeths]

Call me cheap !

I have ordered some contact cleaning solution to fix the switches which should arrive tomorrow so I'll give it a go. However I have one mirror insert that needs replacing on my W210 due to broken lugs on the flap. Does anyone know if I can just order the mirror insert/flap separately or is buying the entire visor the only option? The part I need is exactly the same as the pictures above on a facelift w210.

Thanks in advance

I also had a broken lug, every time the wife flicked open the mirror cover it fell on her lap (not good). What i did was drill a 2.5mm hole (very carefully where the broken lug was, drilling in about 5mm and then cut the end off a 3mm screw and screwed this in with the use of pliers. A little trial and error to get the length right, but works a treat and you can't see any difference when fitted.

I know it sounds like a bodge...but it did work !

Hope this helps. Alternatively buy another from a breaker (but I hate wasting cash if I don't have to)

Adam

 

[Lammy]

Hi Adam many thanks for the reply!

I may well try that as if it doesn't show up then its fine with me

I've got nothing to lose really. If I bugger it up then I'll be forced to buy another one anyway.

Thanks again,
Lammy

 

[faugh a ballagh]

im going to have a go at this today, as mine are a bit tempramental bit like the person who uses the mirror (the wife) lol

 

[nigelstgeorge]

does anyone know where one can get the blue micro switches from please. WOuld be really helpful to know.

 

[television]

There are some 300 makers out there and you will never work out who has them.

Clean the old one I have been doing it for years

 

[Blobcat]

There are some 300 makers out there and you will never work out who has them.

Clean the old one I have been doing it for years

Agreed, you could check RS, Farnell or Maplins and find something similar but you would be awhile looking and to get the exact one would be difficult.

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
When I retro-fitted Illuminated sun visors in my W202's one of the four second hand visors actually had the switch completely missing and I went through loads of suppliers to try to source a new one, Maplins, RS etc, my only solution was the breakers yard, I believe there are two different types of switch used depending on the age of the vehicle.

 

[c15htn]

Does anyone know how to do this on a w208?
It has the slide across covers on the mirrors, not flaps ?

Jim

 

[Avonpalmer]

I just did mine on a W203 and the mirror removal is a bit tricky.
Its held in place by plastic moulded plugs into a metal grip on the body of the visor.
It can be levered out with a thick screwdriver next to the plug but it could easily crack the mirror.

The switch cleaner worked perfectly, so thanks.

 

[television]

This is where an old hypodermic needle comes in handy as you can inject the switch cleaner directly into the side off the plunger that operates the micro switch.