2005 BMW X5 Electric mirrors fold in and straight back out

8459REBECCA

MEMBER
2005 BMW X5
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
75,000 MILES

Please help!
When pressing the button to fold the mirrors in, they go in and then straight back out. Someone has advised there may be a problem with the micro switch and if I take the painted mirror back off and try to straighten the metal u bend switch it may solve the problem?
Is this likely, and what's the best way to remove the painted cover as don't want to break it!
Your info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

3 Replies

DOCHAGERTY

MECHANIC
9,601 POSTS

I need a bit of clarity please. "Someone" had advised you to straighten the metal u-bend switch in the mirror. There is no switch inside the mirror, who was this person? If the mirror motors are working then the removal of the painted covers only risks breaking something, the plastic used is somewhat brittle, especially when cold. When you introduce a request for the mirrors to fold, do you press and hold the button or do you tap it once and let it go? Is the button "sticky". How long has this issue been bothering you? When did you first notice it?

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Sunday, February 22nd, 2009 AT 11:48 AM

8459REBECCA

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thanks for your reply. Only had car a few months and have never worked since we first tried.I just press the button, don't hold it in and it doesn't appear "sticky". The place I bought it from said it's probably a fault with micro switch and when I researched on internet someone advised they had same problem and took the back off, removed a black square plastic box to find the switch with u bend metal piece in it. Try to straighten this a bit at a time to see if solves the problem.
The drivers mirror has a very small mark on outside, so I'm not sure if was caught before I had the vehicle.
Would anything show up on a diagnostic?

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Sunday, February 22nd, 2009 AT 4:20 PM

DOCHAGERTY

MECHANIC
9,601 POSTS

The square plastic box is the mirror motor and it or they might be causing this issue as they are actuated via a LIN bus and have been known to cause problems. First you might want to ask yourself if it is worth it to repair an issue that is not keeping the car from getting down the road, if you catch my drift.

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Sunday, February 22nd, 2009 AT 7:45 PM