Electric door mirror

[Geoff Crispin]

My drivers electric door mirror is not working, what is involved checking/getting it working ? Please Geoff

 

[Southernboy]

Hi Geoff.

First off check the fuses. Next remove the door card and check the connector from the loom to the mirror. Next is use an ameter to check there is electric current in the loom. You will need to activate the mirror switch for it to detect any current. Next, check the actual switch if there is no electric current in the loom side. If there is current, you will need to remove the mirror and open it up to get to the little electric motor. It may have frozen due to rust etc. Some lube oil like WD 40 may release it. Try gently turning the center shaft back and forth until it moves freely.
Beyond that, you might need to get a new motor from BMW.

 

[MikeK]

Mine had very thin wires behind the motor and they almost broke when i was trying to remove them. You can check them or the motor.
If the motor was stuck i would assume there would be some noise when trying to move it.

If you want to avoid removing the door card you can carefully,
pull the mirror glass out (even pressure all sides it brakes easily),
unscrew mirror case,
unscrew motor,
check cables.
Dont worry about which one goes where too much, the motor has labels for which colour goes where.
Then is cables look fine maybe you really need to remove the door card and check the connections there.

 

[Geoff Crispin]

Mine had very thin wires behind the motor and they almost broke when i was trying to remove them. You can check them or the motor.
If the motor was stuck i would assume there would be some noise when trying to move it.

If you want to avoid removing the door card you can carefully,
pull the mirror glass out (even pressure all sides it brakes easily),
unscrew mirror case,
unscrew motor,
check cables.
Dont worry about which one goes where too much, the motor has labels for which colour goes where.
Then is cables look fine maybe you really need to remove the door card and check the connections there.

Thanks chaps for your helpful replies it has never worked since I bought the car as never had reason to move it but thought as it is going on show at the Silverstone Classic I would see if I could get it working Geoff

 

[Geoff Crispin]

Hi Geoff.

First off check the fuses. Next remove the door card and check the connector from the loom to the mirror. Next is use an ameter to check there is electric current in the loom. You will need to activate the mirror switch for it to detect any current. Next, check the actual switch if there is no electric current in the loom side. If there is current, you will need to remove the mirror and open it up to get to the little electric motor. It may have frozen due to rust etc. Some lube oil like WD 40 may release it. Try gently turning the center shaft back and forth until it moves freely.
Beyond that, you might need to get a new motor from BMW.

Hi Barry do you happen to know what the fuselocation number is please, Thanks Geoff

 

[Southernboy]

Hi Geoff
F24 in the engine fuse box

 

[Southernboy]

F31 is the mirror switch fuse and F25 is the passenger side mirror ( might refer to American passenger / left side)

 

[Southernboy]

Just check all three fuses - 24; 25 ; 31.

 

[Geoff Crispin]

Hi Geoff
F24 in the engine fuse box

Thanks Barry

 

[Southernboy]

Hi Geoff

There is an article on the forum by r37 (Dan) on the refurbishment of the door mirror. It deals with repairing the actual base which attaches to the door, but also indicates how to remove the mirror glass and the motor assembly behind it.
BMW Z3 Mirror Base Refurbishment
Article submitted by ‘r37′ (Dan)

You can look under the "Articles" section on the home page for the post

 

[Southernboy]

Also, follow the link for all Z3 Fuse details

BMW Z3 (1995 - 2002) - fuse box diagram - Auto Genius

BMW Z3 (1995 - 2002) - fuse box diagram

www.autogenius.info

 

[Geoff Crispin]

Also, follow the link for all Z3 Fuse details

BMW Z3 (1995 - 2002) - fuse box diagram - Auto Genius

BMW Z3 (1995 - 2002) - fuse box diagram

www.autogenius.info

Thanks Barry very helpful but got to finish relaying patio slabs before I start on X