Folding Wing Mirror(s) Problem

kevster184

Active Member
Mar 14, 2015
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Hi all,

Before I get shot I have searched and have seen many have had the mirrors not fold and have found that the window(s) need resetting to cure it.

I have a similar problem where I have a drivers side mirror that doesn't fold or move under its own power, the passenger side was intermittent and now seems to be working again, but seems temperamental!

Have tried the windows reset three different ways I have read on here and no change. Tired with key etc, etc.
Setting on menu (which I have never changed) is set to "fold in when parked", which I assume means you can fold in with the key which I regualrly do.

The drivers side moves very slightly, most of the time tries to move (you can hear a slight effort) but doesn't.

Luckily I can manually get the drivers side unfolded to drive!

Can anyone give me any other pointers, to check to eliminate for sure one or are both mirrors are kaput?

May 2015 FR, 4 year warranty ran out in May.

Thanks
 

kevster184

Active Member
Mar 14, 2015
682
29
That sounds more like a motor issue than sensor/electrical issue.

With another look today it has now left me with a non unfolding passenger side mirror too. Several times it was working but the drivers side is still kaput other than the occasional twitch.

Maybe the switch?

Who knows how clever VCDS is for problem solving/diagnostics? I don't want to buy a new mirror if it's the switch or vice versa.
 

kevster184

Active Member
Mar 14, 2015
682
29
Maybe some lubrication needed?

Don't know how to take them apart to apply any...

Doesn't look too hard to get the cover off (from a video I've seen) although not sure if you can see any of the working inside.

But surely if they were prone to becoming stuck or needing lube it would have been covered before, Golfs and other cars must share the same parts...
 

Lozzy15

Mods mods mods
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Mar 24, 2015
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Ilkeston, Derbyshire
I've heard of people saying they can freeze and the gears within snap in winter, doubt this is what's happened. The fact that both are doing it is a bit suspect to me. Did they both start doing this at the same time?
 

kevster184

Active Member
Mar 14, 2015
682
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I've heard of people saying they can freeze and the gears within snap in winter, doubt this is what's happened. The fact that both are doing it is a bit suspect to me. Did they both start doing this at the same time?

Nope the drivers stopped and has never worked since, only a slight hint, the passenger was intermittent and now, on my last try dead as a door nail.
 

Lozzy15

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Mar 24, 2015
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Ok, does either side make any kind of noise when you tell them to fold/unfold? Like an attempt from the motor? If you're not getting any sound from either I'd hazard a guess at it being some kind of electrical fault somewhere. The switch would be the easiest place to check out first as it just requires removing the drivers door card which isn't overly difficult to do.

You mentioned VCDS, have you got access to this? It would be the first thing to try before taking stuff apart as any DTC should be stored in the door control module. Does the heating/adjusting functions still work for both as they should?
 

kevster184

Active Member
Mar 14, 2015
682
29
Ok, does either side make any kind of noise when you tell them to fold/unfold? Like an attempt from the motor? If you're not getting any sound from either I'd hazard a guess at it being some kind of electrical fault somewhere. The switch would be the easiest place to check out first as it just requires removing the drivers door card which isn't overly difficult to do.

You mentioned VCDS, have you got access to this? It would be the first thing to try before taking stuff apart as any DTC should be stored in the door control module. Does the heating/adjusting functions still work for both as they should?

Drivers side attempts to move but not always, sometimes moves a fraction. Can hear motor when it tries.
Not sure if this is the same for noise with passenger, no visual attempt thou.

I assume the heating works ok, electric adjustment of the glass is ok, as normal.

No I don't have VCDS, all I know is my local dealer is utterly rubbish and damaged my car last two times it went for a simple service

I know a local VAG specialist who I think has VCDS, would have to ask how on the ball he is with it. He recently coded Cruise Control on a T4 for me I retrofitted. But good news if it will record faults.
 

Lozzy15

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Mar 24, 2015
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Ilkeston, Derbyshire
The car should log any faults of virtually anything it has an issue with. Mine even record when power management kicks in due to low battery current and stores it as a DTC. If you access the Driver Door Module, you should be able to see any faults stored. While there get them to take a look in the advanced measurements tab, you might be able to see live values as you request the mirrors fold in or out to help determine what the issue is if there are no clear DTC's stored.
 

RUM4MO

Active Member
Jun 4, 2008
7,784
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South Scotland
To add to the above, my old 2000 VW Passat logged when I disconnected the failing mirror heaters! Even in their burn out but carbonising the backing tape condition they did not log an open circuit - until I unplugged them.
 

kevster184

Active Member
Mar 14, 2015
682
29
The car should log any faults of virtually anything it has an issue with. Mine even record when power management kicks in due to low battery current and stores it as a DTC. If you access the Driver Door Module, you should be able to see any faults stored. While there get them to take a look in the advanced measurements tab, you might be able to see live values as you request the mirrors fold in or out to help determine what the issue is if there are no clear DTC's stored.

Thanks for that at least I can manually move them out and use the car! I do remember once being told at Volkswagen that they can tell which owners open the bonet more than others, ie while cleaning rather than just when the screen wash is empty.

I guess Carista is not advanced enough for what I need.
 

kevster184

Active Member
Mar 14, 2015
682
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Had another good look today. The drivers side seems to not know where it is.

The electrical adjustment work on both but not on the passenger side when it is folded in, which I assume is normal.

The drivers side adjusts whereever it is.

Got the passenger side folding working again but takes quite a few goes to get it back out once folded in!

No power folding has returned to the drivers side, only the odd few millimeters of flinch, when this flinches I think is when I can get the passenger side to unfold. Obviously linked.
 

Lozzy15

Mods mods mods
Staff member
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Mar 24, 2015
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376
Ilkeston, Derbyshire
If I were you right now, and I didn't have access to VCDS, I'd be looking into the wiring as it kind of sounds like a faulty connection or a broken wire. Personally in your shoes, that is where I'd start digging to eliminate that as a cause or find it as the cause.
 

kevster184

Active Member
Mar 14, 2015
682
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Well I have found that it is the motor that is sezied, when comparing it to the otherside. Wedged the mirror to pass the MOT on Monday. So looked at getting a motor, and guess what you can't buy just the motors.

Looked to buy a used mirror with the folding function (much rarer tan the normal non folding) to maybe rob the motors and swap it. Used ones are easy £150 on Ebay. The motor looks very much unremoveable!

Called my local dealer, £110, called TPS and its £100 for the whole assembly from both. Without the painted cover and glass, even comes with a new indicator, so when the world gets back to normal i shall go that route. Don't have to deal with 'used' rubbish from ebay that been kicked round the floor and damaged in transit!
 

kevster184

Active Member
Mar 14, 2015
682
29
Update.... TPS have opened this week for collection, ordered and fitted new mirror = problem cured :cool: Seized up motor it was.

I will have the old mirror housing apart but o do now have a spare indicator.

The more you look at them the mirror cover clips are so cheap and shoddy design, no doubt common to many cars. All it would need is a few screws that cold be undone once the mirror glass is removed. Let alone the door panel
 
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