W211 driver side mirror adjustment not working

[Adamki83]

Morning all,

I’ve had this issue with my W211 since I bought it so it hasn’t really bothered me now it’s coming to the time where I may be selling the car,
My drivers side mirror adjustment isn’t working plugging it into my diagnostics there’s no fault code with the control unit as when you press the adjustment switch like up or down or left or right it’s registering on my icarsoft device so I assume I can rule that out? So I’m thinking maybe the motor could of burnt out or something?
Any ideas? Before I start taking bits off!

 

[Blobcat]

Possibly broken wires in the folding part of the mirror - fairly common

 

[Adamki83]

Possibly broken wires in the folding part of the mirror - fairly common

I heard about that happening but I thought that causes the indicator to stop working properly aswell?

 

[Blobcat]

I heard about that happening but I thought that causes the indicator to stop working properly aswell?

Usually the adjustment and folding wires break first

 

[Adamki83]

Usually the adjustment and folding wires break first

Ahhh I see, I’ll check for split wires when I remove the mirror cap!

 

[Blobcat]

Ahhh I see, I’ll check for split wires when I remove the mirror cap!

It might be obvious or it might be that the copper has snapped but the insulation is still intact. Give them a wiggle and you should be able to tell if they’ve snapped.
If they have strip them back and solder in a new piece of cable one at a time. The cables can be all the same colour...

 

[moj91]

Our W220 has suffered the same issue - except the indicator (side repeater) module stopped working first. Seeing as the lens had suffered impact damage some time in the past couple of months, and all other functions were fine we ordered a new indicator module and proceeded to fit assuming this would solve the issue (a week before the mot was due). Unfortunately when we removed the cover to install the new indicator unit, the wiring loom basically fell apart in our hands. Only solution was to order a new wing-mirror frame/mechanism as MB only sell the loom as part of the whole frame component (£200 ish). This also required the driver's door to be almost fully disassembled. The car is now off the road until the back-order part comes in and we can refit, reassemble the door and find an MOT slot. :/
Note: the mirror adjustment mechanism was badly caked up with dirt and grit, so this needed taking apart, cleaning and re-greasing to allow the mirror to adjust smoothly again.

 

[Blobcat]

Our W220 has suffered the same issue - except the indicator (side repeater) module stopped working first. Seeing as the lens had suffered impact damage some time in the past couple of months, and all other functions were fine we ordered a new indicator module and proceeded to fit assuming this would solve the issue (a week before the mot was due). Unfortunately when we removed the cover to install the new indicator unit, the wiring loom basically fell apart in our hands. Only solution was to order a new wing-mirror frame/mechanism as MB only sell the loom as part of the whole frame component (£200 ish). This also required the driver's door to be almost fully disassembled. The car is now off the road until the back-order part comes in and we can refit, reassemble the door and find an MOT slot. :/
Note: the mirror adjustment mechanism was badly caked up with dirt and grit, so this needed taking apart, cleaning and re-greasing to allow the mirror to adjust smoothly again.

Most members on here just cut out the broken wires and solder some new wire in, making it a little longer than original so it doesn’t snap as easily.

 

[moj91]

Most members on here just cut out the broken wires and solder some new wire in, making it a little longer than original so it doesn’t snap as easily.

That was the plan... except on removal we were met with about 10 cables, all black and of the same gauge, which had all separated, so no clue which cable went where!

 

[Adamki83]

Wait, is it an MOT failure?
It’s never failed on it!

 

[brandwooddixon]

I think that it's only an MOT failure if the indicator repeater doesn't work.

 

[Adamki83]

I think that it's only an MOT failure if the indicator repeater doesn't work.

My thoughts exactly and you can still move the mirror to a desired position by hand