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So I am getting the Jag ready for spring and am working on some stuff that is needed. One item on my list is the side mirrors.
My current side mirrors do not fold inward when the button is pressed. The motors hum and the mirrors try to move but don't. Is there a way to unstick these things or am I left with replacing them?
Also, my drivers side mirror seems to be missing the connector pictured. Is that for the auto dim? My passenger has it in both the housing and on the mirror but the drivers has it only inside the housing. It is not connected to anything... https://imgur.com/a/uLu72DB
Finally, presuming I need to buy new mirror assemblies, it seems that the only difference is one has the folding and the other does not, correct? I am assuming for the XJ everything else is standard, heated and I am guessing auto dim?
It appears perhaps someone has replaced your driver's side mirror glass. As to the folding, there is a thread where cleanup of the corrosion of the Zamak alloy and good lubrication will fix you fold feature. I should know. Not only were my side mirror inoperable but one of them actually snapped off when I bumped it with my hip walking past the car.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zamak Hopefully yours are not that bad if you can Raj the car and don't drive in a lot of wet weather. But be cautious buying used assemblies on eBay and such I had to return two before I found one in good shape.
usually once a year or so I clean up the assembly with a small brush after removing the approach light and folding them fully forward manually. Then I apply a mixture of WD-40 and fluid film which is an anti-corrosion coating.
The motors have a "breakaway" feature and once things are lubed up they work again, at least for most folks. Another trick is once they are working use them regularly by double pressing the lock button on your key fob. This feature needs to be turned on on the touch screen. I will try to find that's thread with photos up cleaning and lubrication pics.
Let us know how you make out!
EDIT: you have to pop off the plastic cover at the base of the mirror it snaps off with a twisting motion. Then you should see all the white Gunk I am referring to. Once you have brushed and cleaned it out you can then apply at some lubricant.
Thanks for the info. I will post some pics when I am done with cleaning them up. I think I will keep an eye out for replacement side mirrors and if I can get a good deal I will pick it up. I managed to get one freed up but she is certainly slow. The trick is to fold the mirrors forward towards the hood, then push down on the exposed lower plastic piece that houses the puddle light. From there it pops off giving you access to the bottom of the motor. A bunch of dust and junk fell out of both of mine. TBH it would be easier to do this if I had the mirror off, but if I am going to remove the mirror I may as well replace it.
Yep - stick with it. The motors seem to willing, but that alloy is a joke, and they never corrected it over the model run. The break away feature helps them deal with manual movement and minor collisions, but they need a lot of care and feeding. As I mentioned, once a year or so, I tape some protection on the door, take the access panel off, clean them up with a brush, compressed air and lube them with this stuff. It cligs and stays on the metal for months, not days:
Both mine still work. Hope to keep it that way. Will clean out and lubricate.
I see how to pop off the cover to access.
Also will look at the seal to the door on the mirror. Looks deformed.
I was just discussing those seals with another forum member. I would love to find a part number and availability, but if past experience is any guide, they will be around $400, but come with a free mirror. Interestingly ONE of mine is a bit wonky, the one that came with a great condition used mirror. The drivers side is good, on an original mirror. I assume its exposure to hot climates, and/or climates that have large temp swings.
I got both of my mirrors working mostly. I will probably end up replacing them in a few years. TBH I probably won't use the power fold feature that much but if my car has a feature then I want that feature to work. Also as some of you mentioned, the plastic trim weather-stripping on mine is pretty beat up.
Here are some pics though. I shot the lubrication from the bottom where the wire comes through and also from the top and worked the mirrors back and fourth by hand for a bit. Then I did it with the motor itself. I will probably do it again in a few weeks, but it is certainly better.
Side mirror questions for an 04 XJR
