[Naiart]

Hi everyone, stupid question: how do I stop the side mirrors from folding in/out when the car is locked/unlocked/started?

My mirrors used to stay in the normal position all the time, except when I was in reverse and they would tilt down towards the curb. I hit the folding button once by mistake, and now they won't stop folding out everytime I start the car. The problem is I have the common mirror fold issue, and my passenger mirror swings 180 degrees to the front.

I don't mind that so much since I never fold my mirrors, but I just want them to stay put now.

If I could keep the curb tilt in reverse option that would be swell. It used to work this way for as long as I've owner the car, but now I can't seem to get it back to the way it was before.

I think I've read a dozen threads but I can't seem to find the right suggestion. I don't know if I have comfort access. Thanks.

[bloppitybloop]

Cut the white wire.

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

Turn off comfort mirror fold using your coding tool of choice.

[Yngvejos]

Why don't you just repair the mirror? It's a 15 min job and only require a drill and some penetrating oil.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1129570

[Saberdave]

I have posted here a couple times on this issue because it is recurring on my car and I also have not found a solution short of cutting the wire, which is not something I want to do.

I just kept pulling them back into position and after a few days they stopped moving which makes me believe it has something to do with alignment of whatever parts move the mirrors. They eventually reposition to the correct spot. They work until some fool (my wife or the dealership) hits the fold button and it's rinse/repeat time.

Good luck. The "15 minute" drill/oil "solution" seems a little sketchy to me.

If you really can't handle it then pony up the $750 to the dealer for a new motor.

[summilux]

Cut the wire. Problem solved. Takes all of 5 min to do.

[PhaseP]

Originally Posted by Saberdave

I just kept pulling them back into position and after a few days they stopped moving which makes me believe it has something to do with alignment of whatever parts move the mirrors. They eventually reposition to the correct spot. They work until some fool (my wife or the dealership) hits the fold button and it's rinse/repeat time.

Good luck. The "15 minute" drill/oil "solution" seems a little sketchy to me.

It is about an alignment pin that gets stuck due to corrosion and dirt. There is a spring under this pin that pushes it down, but it is not able to push it down once there is enough corrosion between the pin and the hole surface it is sitting in. When you run the mirror all the way back and open fold a few times, the sharp jump it makes while doing so at one point usually is enough to dislodge the pin from its bottom position. That is why folding the mirror all the way in and out at first works. But as years go and corrosion amount increases this becomes not enough to pop that pin out of its stuck position.
Then your options are:
- cut the wire, but mirror will still not be sitting firmly in its ideal position because pin is not out.
- Buy a used mirror online from an later year model hoping pin is not corroded yet
- Buy new mirror assembly, I think they are available relatively cheaper now, about $300.
- Try the drill out the hole at the right place and push the pin out from the hole method
- Do a full fix by full disassembly, clean the pin and hole, lube and reassemble. This requires some welding to be done though.

Some threads to drill method and full fix as well:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1443528
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1385805
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1417035

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by summilux

Cut the wire. Problem solved. Takes all of 5 min to do.

Unplugging it would accomplish the same thing without ruining the wire harness.

[Naiart]

Thank you guys. I cut the wire. Problem solved. I got to retain the reverse tilt and adjustment, so all is well.