Powerfold Door mirrors.

[geo912]

My X308 3.2 MY 2000 has retrofitted powerfold door mirrors that have worked without fault until this weekend. After leaving car with mirrors folded for about three hours on motorway car park the nearside mirror failed to open first time, after a number of operations of the door switch it now functions albeit on occasions it still requires a couple or three operations to unfold.
When folding or unfolding the operation is fairly smooth and complete without stopping midway but on closing the motor pulsates 14 times after the mirror has stopped.
Has anyone experience similar, is the motor/assembly on its last legs, can it be repaired by an amature.
Previous posts seem to indicate these items are quite fragile and removing the cover is not for the squemish 111
geo..

[J44EAG]

I have the same gremlins on my S-type. I`ve chosen to ignore the problem for fear of making the situation worse by interference and end up costing myself money before I really needed to do so. The problem is so intermitant that it is probably best left alone until the unit(s) pack it in completely.

My suspect is that if I used the powerfold more reguarly, the internals might free up a bit and the units become more reliable.

As with all things electrical, galloping galvanics can also cause havoc. Electrolitic corrosion in unit multiplugs can cause no end of problems as a car ages. I have a drivers door lock solenoid connector unit which needs regular attention with switch cleaner and electrical grease. Cleaned and greased the unit is fine for an indeturminate period.

Then the solenoid plays up and I have to have another go. The only option would be to replace the plug and socket with new and get around the problem in that way. At some point I intend to investigate the connector plugs on the powerfold units for similar problems. But as of today, it `aint bust so I`m not about to try and fix it!

Mike

[geo912]

Mike, thank you for your observations, will heed your advice and leave well alone untill the inevitable.....annoying though.. too many little niggles spoils the aura of otherwise splendid motors.
geo.

[robv12]

wait until they fold totally the wrong way, or one one way and one the other!!

with use these can also loose the "locked" position and can wobble in the wind

as you say quite a fragile bit of kit

[J44EAG]

That is a great encouragement Rob! Thanks for nothing!! Mike

[Nik]

Hi Geo ,

I have retrofitted powerfolds to my XK8 and to another members car , regular use should restore proper functionality but what ever you do don't lubricate the stops , they work by friction and if lubricated the motor will fold the mirror completely forward , so my advice would be

1. "work" them in and out until functioning correctly/consistantly.

2. Once they are working correctly , motor them in and out at least once or twice a week.

3. They are fragile so if one is knocked out of position never manually reposition it , always motor them back into position.
4. replacement mirrors are expensive , if you ever need a replacement , PM me ,

Hope this helps ,

Nik

[geo912]

thanks Nik, patience and care is the answer then, wot I have...
geo.

[joejag308]

Makes you wonder.....my powerfold mirrors started acting up three years ago...they even made me swear......they went over the halfway stop mark and couldnt be rectified by gentle methods....so when they came over the halfway stop position i grabbed the o/s one and stopped it .....then i sent them the other way of course the N/s went over the halfway stop so i returned the n/s back and grabbewd that one and held it in the halfway position. I then activated the memory button to remember the enforced position......they have both been behaving themselves ever since......but has anyone found them to be noisy ....compared to my wifes Honda Jazz....they make more noise than her engine does......and her powerfold mirrors are smooth and silent......but if we are to be Jaguar enthusiasts this is part of owning one....although having a Daimler does have its advantages..... ...........OK i will get my coat