Power side mirror switch (any ideas??) (1 Viewer)

[planomateo]

My newly acquired 2004 LX has a non-functioning switch. The switch folds the mirrors in and moves either mirror up and down, it does NOT move either mirror left to right.

I took this apart and cleaned with electric cleaner spray which didn't help. There was some grease in the middle contacts that I removed completely (haven't replaced it yet).

I then took it apart again to see if lightly sanding the contacts with some 1500 grit would help. That did nothing either, as I still can't move either mirror left or right.

Any ideas?

Takes less than a minute to pull this out of the car and another minute or two to disassemble the switch. I used paperclips to put a space between the plastic (basically dislodging the tabs and allowing the two parts to move freely.

Switch after it was taken apart.

Any ideas? Worst case I have to buy a new switch, just trying to see if I can fix it without throwing money (aka a new switch) at the problem.

Is there something else that controls left/right movement in the side mirrors that would cause both mirrors to not function?

 

[ihadmail]

I'm pretty sure that function is actually controlled by the body ECU.

Look in the classifieds here, in the part out section. @SHAGGY101 is parting a 100 series and could probably hook you up with that switch cheaper than a new one.

 

[planomateo]

I don't see the body ecu on the schematics. Am I missing something?

 

[PADDO]

The mirror ECU is on the DS door - at least on an '03 LX - so it might be worth pulling the door trim liner and checking connectors. I'd initially focus on a wire common to both window horizontal motors, possibly a break at the flex door loom?
Edit: that 04 LC EWD is not accurate for an LX as the LX has power fold mirrors for example. The module on the LX DS door controls mirrors and memory seat.

 

[planomateo]

Edit: that 04 LC EWD may not be accurate for an LX as the LX has power fold mirrors for example. The module on the LX DS door controls mirrors and memory seat.

Yeah, I was thinking that as well. Tried signing up to Techinfo site for the 2 day access and it tells me I need to call them tomorrow. Argh...

 

[seanz0rz]

I had a small tear in the trace on the PCB of the one in my 4Runner. I had to solder it back together. I think I probably tore it taking it apart, but it has been so long I cannot remember. I do remember having a similar symptom of losing one direction of motion. Might be something to look for while you still have the switch apart.

Once you have the door open, you can test the motors by applying +12VDC and ground to the corresponding pins. I would highly doubt it is a mirror issue since it is the same on both right and left. It is most likely a control issue or wiring issue.

 

[planomateo]

I would highly doubt it is a mirror issue since it is the same on both right and left. It is most likely a control issue or wiring issue.

Was my thinking as well.

 

[PADDO]

@planomateo pm sent

 

[KillerBox]

Does anyone know where the mirror ECM is on a 2001 LX 470? My mirrors work fine by the switches but, with the automatic reverse they go down fine but, only partial back up.

I picked up a cheap used mirror ECM ($7.00) on eBay and wanted to throw it on to see if it might be my problem.

 

[planomateo]

2004LX location:

 

[trdcorolla]

Not sure if this helps, the 2001 LX I bought a few weeks ago, the passenger side mirror didn't move with the switch (and the save buttons didn't work either), it did move down when I put the car in reverse but never came back up. I was about to buy a used switch but when looking at my AHC pressures on techstream, I connected to the mirror ecu. Ever since that connection, my mirror worked, mirror and memory...

 

[KillerBox]

What do you mean by?

AHC pressures on techstream, I connected to the mirror ecu.

I am a newbie around here and just bought my 2001 LX 470 almost 2 weeks ago. My memory functions work fine on moving the mirrors and my manual switch does too. My only problem seems to be going back up after you reverse.

 

[trdcorolla]

What do you mean by? I am a newbie around here and just bought my 2001 LX 470 almost 2 weeks ago. My memory functions work fine on moving the mirrors and my manual switch does too. My only problem seems to be going back up after you reverse.

You can search for techstream here on mud, you can check the status of all the ecu's and change some settings on the car.

 

[tf308]

Did you find your problem?

 

[WaterCruiser]

My newly acquired 2004 LX has a non-functioning switch. The switch folds the mirrors in and moves either mirror up and down, it does NOT move either mirror left to right.

I took this apart and cleaned with electric cleaner spray which didn't help. There was some grease in the middle contacts that I removed completely (haven't replaced it yet).

I then took it apart again to see if lightly sanding the contacts with some 1500 grit would help. That did nothing either, as I still can't move either mirror left or right.

Any ideas?

Takes less than a minute to pull this out of the car and another minute or two to disassemble the switch. I used paperclips to put a space between the plastic (basically dislodging the tabs and allowing the two parts to move freely.

Switch after it was taken apart.

Any ideas? Worst case I have to buy a new switch, just trying to see if I can fix it without throwing money (aka a new switch) at the problem.

Is there something else that controls left/right movement in the side mirrors that would cause both mirrors to not function?

look inside the mirror housing at the motor wires & contacts?

 

[tf308]

OK, I found the problem.

First of all, each mirror has 2 motors that drive worm gears. You need to remove the door panel so that the mirror housing can be removed from the car.

With the mirror off of the housing, I could see that only one of my gears would rotate. I suspected an electrical connection but I was wrong. The gear itself sits in a housing and had become to tight to turn.

First you need to remove 3 screws that will release the motor housing from the mirror. Do NOT remove the four screws on the back side of this housing as it is unnecessary. You also do not have to remove the 3 screws at the bottom of your mirror (they are sealed with locktite and you will strip them) I can understand that you may want to disassemble it, but you do not need to.

Unscrew the ball mount in the center and pull the white mirror mount away. Take the rest of the assembly apart. you will see that the gear is so tight that the worm gear has no chance. I used V32 compound wax and spun the gears in the housing to loosen them. Almost like lapping a valve. Reinstalled with grease and put everything back together. It is all fixed. Was not the switch. Was not the Mirror ECU. Was not a bad connection. The gears just became too tight.

Hope this helps because I never saw anyone actually post their solution.

 

[jumptrader]

OK, I found the problem.

First of all, each mirror has 2 motors that drive worm gears. You need to remove the door panel so that the mirror housing can be removed from the car.

With the mirror off of the housing, I could see that only one of my gears would rotate. I suspected an electrical connection but I was wrong. The gear itself sits in a housing and had become to tight to turn.

First you need to remove 3 screws that will release the motor housing from the mirror. Do NOT remove the four screws on the back side of this housing as it is unnecessary. You also do not have to remove the 3 screws at the bottom of your mirror (they are sealed with locktite and you will strip them) I can understand that you may want to disassemble it, but you do not need to.

Unscrew the ball mount in the center and pull the white mirror mount away. Take the rest of the assembly apart. you will see that the gear is so tight that the worm gear has no chance. I used V32 compound wax and spun the gears in the housing to loosen them. Almost like lapping a valve. Reinstalled with grease and put everything back together. It is all fixed. Was not the switch. Was not the Mirror ECU. Was not a bad connection. The gears just became too tight.

Hope this helps because I never saw anyone actually post their solution.

Any chance you snapped a few photos of the process? Have the same issue! Thank you

 

[MJK]

Bump. Similar symptoms here. Both mirrors will fold, neither will adjust in any direction.

I have taken the switch apart and all appears well there.
I can connect to the mirror control ECU in tech stream, and it will correctly show when I push the buttons on the switch.
Neither mirror will adjust up/down/left/right, either with the physical switch inputs or by controlling it in tech stream.
Memory seats work fine.
=> Given the above, I ass.u.me the ECU and switch are OK?

So perhaps it is the gears? It seems odd that everything would fail identically at the same time, but admittedly I don't use the mirror adjustment much.

Anyone have any visual aids/tips to check the gears or have any better suggestions?

 

[BullElk]

Similar issue here. Both mirrors go up and down but not side to side. Ruled out the switch and ECU in the door with known working parts from other LX. Not yet comfortable getting to the gears to assess.

 

[ramangain]

Bump. Similar symptoms here. Both mirrors will fold, neither will adjust in any direction.

I have taken the switch apart and all appears well there.
I can connect to the mirror control ECU in tech stream, and it will correctly show when I push the buttons on the switch.
Neither mirror will adjust up/down/left/right, either with the physical switch inputs or by controlling it in tech stream.
Memory seats work fine.
=> Given the above, I ass.u.me the ECU and switch are OK?

So perhaps it is the gears? It seems odd that everything would fail identically at the same time, but admittedly I don't use the mirror adjustment much.

Anyone have any visual aids/tips to check the gears or have any better suggestions?

That sounds like a fuse to me. Do the heater elements get power? You *may* be able to get to the mirror connector by just fishing it upwards with the tweeter protector removed.