D3 Folding Mirror Problem

tc4332 · #1 24th March 2016, 04:43 PM

I am a numpty, honestly not fit to be let out

Couple of weeks back driver's side mirror stopped folding electrically. SWMBO's fault 'cos she uses the capability every day

I have been waiting for a dry spell that was not freezing because I am nesh. I have read loads of "How2DoIt's" but all the ones I could find were for D2 and appeared to be different from mine.
So today out I went and tried mugging it. Managed to take out the glass without breaking it, spotted the screw underneath and took it out, removed the torque 15 screw; realised that was wrong and managed to put it back, undid the three torque 10 screws then the 3 x self tappers and the cover was loose. Wriggled and tiggled it a bit and the cover was away from the workings. Did not take it right off, sprayed loads of WD40 and put it all back together.
Of course it did not resolve the problem and the rain started again.

Came indoors for a cuppa and another perusal on the forum, then decided to write something and see if one of the more knowlegeable folk could offer some guidance.

Now here comes the proof of the numpty bit. Decided this was the best area to ask and I spotted the "Sticky". http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showthrea...3091#post63091

Read it and realised that I had reinvented the wheel. Another wasted afternoon.
I guess I will leave it overnight and have another look tomorrow, if the rain stays away. Unless someone knows better.

tc4332 · #2 25th March 2016, 03:18 PM

Oh heck, the sun is shining and SWMBO put her management hat on and pointed me in the direction of the dreaded mirror.
Tried it and just like I surmised yesterday, it did not work.
So I took off the two plastic trims inside the door thinking that I would then be able to remove the mirror, wrong, did me no good at all.
I then managed to get Craig, willing son, to have a look. He did what I had done yesterday but with my superb knowledge I managed to stop him from making the same mistakes as I did. We eventually decided that we had to compress the spring on the pivot and remove the "C" clip. Yippee that worked, we had the mirror away from the car working from the outside only. No door card removal!!!!
We were then able to remove the folding motor and gearbox and take it indoors for a closer look. Stripped the gearbox and removed the motor. Applied a 12volt supply to it and it mainly ran but during the testing we realised that the motor had a dead spot. Gave it a good soaking with WD40 and ran it in both directions. Of course it smoked quite a bit, WD40 burning off, but it worked much better. Feeling good we reassembled the gearbox and tried again with 12 volts, it sort of worked but still a dead spot. Can only asssume that one of the armature coils is up the duff.
We gave up then, reassembled everything because we need the car over the weekend. We tried the mirror folding operation a couple of times without any response. Tried again with manual assistance and it folded. Switched back to driving position and it worked.
Instructions were given to Gwen "Do not use the folding".
So now I need a motor.
When I manage to locate a motor I'll go through the exercise again but will take some photos for the forum.