A8 - D2 Auto Folding Mirrors

[David's8]

Originally Posted by 71camaro

I've wired mine to fold on shutoff and fold back out when the car is started. I maintained use of the switch as well.

Thats what I would want. Do you have a schematic for how you wired that?

[Daz 70]

Right, I wanted the following 5 things to happen regarding the Auto folding.

01. Basically I wanted the door mirrors to fold once the alarm was armed via remote or maybe by manually locking the door with the key. * So I could fully exit the car still being able to look in the mirrors to assist with my exit.

02. Mirrors only to unfold once the key was in the ingition. * So if I was to simply go back to the car to retrieve something they would not need to open and therefore refold.

03. That the original mirror control would still function as it should. * So when in the car wash or tight squeeze I can still control them as I did before.

04. Not to be a constant drain on the battery

05. A de-activate switch to disable the auto-fold option.

The first 4 I have done, while the 5th would be easy, however I've not really found a suitable switch I like the look of as I would like it to look stock rather than some hack. (But have not spent a great deal of time looking) and was thinking I might wire it into the seat memory on / off ... maybes...

Parts required

1 x 5 Pin Relay (with 87a, also sometimes called a change over relay) £2.50
1 x Sec Timer board £1.50
1 x Min Timer Board £12.50
1 x Mini project Box £2.50
1 x Micro Switch £1.00

Some wire of course and connectors for relay and switch etc but could be soldered directly I guess.

As you can see it's about £20 in parts

I already had the switch and relay, but I did buy both timer boards from e-bay. I can supply the auction item numbers (if required), one is in China and the other was Bulgaria.

The reason for 2 timer boards is , one will keep the power live once key removed (can be set for upto about 12 and half mins), mine is set to about 3 mins. The second timer pulses for just a second when the ignition is turned on. This triggers the unfold.

There is a load of different ways this could be done, including a quick dirty way of just feeding the mirror control unit power all the time or from the window power and a simply changer over reply with the ignition power is removed

I've basically done the write up, however my lovely phone (which has the pics), is not playing ball when I connect it to the computer. So I will address this issue and upload in one go.

All I can say so for is works great and never fails to fold / unfold (I'm just about now getting out of the habit of reaching for the mirror fold knob before removing the key).

Couple of quirks to note.... due to the way the circuit is powered on when auto closing the windows (i.e. via the alarm or keeping the key held in the door lock), this will delay the folding of the mirrors (no biggie)... Also if you unlock the car again before the timer has run out (in my case 3 mins) then the mirrors will unfold, or course they will still auto fold again assuming the timer is still running (again no real biggie).

I know I could have messed with a circuit and done it all in one but for the price of the timers I didn't see the point.

Anyway very easy to do and I will be happy help anyone.... let me know if ya need them ebay no.s

Daz

P.s. Will try and get the write and pics up by the weekend.

[The_Laird]

Originally Posted by Daz 70

I've not really found a suitable switch I like the look of as I would like it to look stock rather than some hack.

Sergey discovered a while ago that the PF switches fit the small blanking panel to the right of the ignition switch in the FL '8s.

Even better, if you want a simple on /off switch (avoiding relays), then you can use the hazard warning switch and change the cover plate with one from another switch. That's going to look as 'stock' as you'll get.

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by The_Laird

Sergey discovered a while ago that the PF switches fit the small blanking panel to the right of the ignition switch in the FL '8s.

I'm using that space for a switch (in situ but not yet wired) to control video-in-motion on my DVB-T tuner.

I'm using a latching (push-on-push-off) switch (think it was a hazard warning initially) but with the cover from the rear blind switch as that looks more appropriate. They pop off and swap over very easily.

I've read write-ups of people (in the USA) also using a PF switch there to control a garage door opener.

[Daz 70]

Thanks, yes I have seen this location used, however mine (pre FL) has the headlight level switch there.. so is not blank. I didn't know the tops could be swapped easy.... might prove useful at some stage... but I'm sure I will have forgotten that fact by then lol

Daz

[Daz 70]

Still need to get the pics up but have drawn the circuit. Very easy and very little work really :-) Happy to help so any question or info just ask even Improvements :-) that said I'm happy with the way mine works... but ya never know I guess

[Daz 70]

I have now also made my rear blind go auto up (if down of course) when locking the car by tapping from the same wire from the door. (on the Auto folding mirrors) I had to add a microswitch and relay. Easy enough.... esp as I had to take the blind out of the car to fix it so thought might as well add this as well.

I was thinking I might later mod it even further and have it auto down when in reverse... but and then either say down or maybe after 15 secs go back up if not in reverse but not sure yet....

Just nice now as I walk away for the car and hit the lock button on the remote to see the mirrors fold and the blind shoot up

I