Lazy Electric Mirror!

[fionanallan]

Hope I manage to describe this alright.....
When I press the button to fold in the mirrors, the drivers mirror folds in tight to the door, but the passenger mirror stops halfway, and wont fold in the same as the drivers side. Also it's a lot slower...like it's lazy is the best way I can describe it.
Is it in order to spray some WD40 in the mirror? When the mirror stops halfway, there appears to be a rubber seal. Is it in order to squeeze the WD40 nozzle in and give the workings a quick 'skoosh'?

 

[psmart]

...mine went this way when I left the ML at Malpensa Airport (Milan), forgot to fold them in and some b* pushed it further out.

It is lazy in retracting now, sometimes you need to press out before you can press in.

It still works though, but I think its probably sheared a plastic cog on the gearing.

Dont know if WD40 will do the job, as it is a Water Displacement for 40 days compound. If, like mine, probably being a damaged cog, then just wait until it packs in permanently, then but a new mechanism.

 

[television]

The cables inside could have come dislodged, have you tried to pull it in while operating the switch.

malcolm

 

[psmart]

Thanks Malcolm, never considered overstretched wires. If I get chance this weekend, I'll pop mine open and see whats happened (up until February this year, have been completely disinterested in cars for 8+ years, hence why Ive left it).

Could be the problem fionanallan is having, in which case WD40 would definitely not work.

 

[television]

Thanks Malcolm, never considered overstretched wires. If I get chance this weekend, I'll pop mine open and see whats happened (up until February this year, have been completely disinterested in cars for 8+ years, hence why Ive left it).

Could be the problem fionanallan is having, in which case WD40 would definitely not work.

You cant just pop them open, the glass comes out , held in place by a long wire clip across the top behind glass, (push the glass in at the bottom) remove the 4 screws and you can take off the cover, its almost easier to remove the mirror by prising off the triangle cover from the top and removing the three screws, un plug the mirror and do it indoors.


Malcolm

 

[fionanallan]

Just tried what you suggested Malcolm. Whilst I pressed the button, Fiona gently pushed the mirror in, and it folded in tight to the door. When I pressed the button to un-fold the mirror it stuck half way again, but as long as Fiona 'assisted it, it returned to the extended position. As I said earlier...it's as if it's lazy. I don't think there's anything broken. I think it just needs some form of lubricant. To be honest, we very rarely fold the mirrors in...I know we should...but I'm wondering if this problem has arisen because we rarely fold them in.

 

[jberks]

Had this on my W210. One would come in slowly, the other even slower, and sometimes it would get part way and give up. I suspect it is due to lack of use which is why I have them on fold when locked on the 211 so they get excercised at least twice a day.

Anyway, I did manage to cure it. I used some WD40 type lubricant and just sprayed all around the inside of the mirror using a straw pushed through from the hinge side, hoping to catch the offending parts. Then I worked the mirror in and out whilst assisting it by hand. I guess I probably overheated the motor because it actually got slower and eventually died so I pushed it back to open and gave up. The motor is pretty weak so it doesn't take a lot to overload it. The following morning I tried the switch just for the hell of it. The mirrors swung in perfectly, then out again perfectly and were fine ever more. I just made a point of using them at least once a week from there on. By the way, there is a similar issue with electric rear windows - use them or lose them, so those of you without rear passengers, open and close those rear windows at least once a month!

The only problem was the residue of the lubricant trickling down the doors made a hell of a mess and took a fair bit of polish to remove.

 

[fionanallan]

Thanks for that. Thats exactly what I wanted to know. I just was'nt sure about spraying WD40 in the workings! Anyway...thanks for that. Do that after dinner.