Mirror Switch Misbehaving

[LSB4Me]

Hi Everyone:

I recently had both mirrors off for refinishing and had the original glass replaced with euro blind spot mirrors (what a difference).

Upon plugging in my mirror switch, I noticed some weird behavior.

1. When the toggle is set to the left (driver) mirror, up and down functions as normal. However, when I move the stick left (to move the driver mirror left) the passenger mirror tips all the way down.

2. When the toggle is set to the right (passenger), moving the stick does not correspond with the correct mirror movements. Any input on the stick makes the mirror move incorrectly without stopping.

I have a new switch en route but wanted to ask if any of you guys have encountered a similar problem. At least we don’t have the ribbon cables.

[LSB4Me]

No thoughts on this? I am beginning to feel like I might be in uncharted waters. Never good.

[bagger]

I have nothing to add except that I have seen this behavior on a car I test drove and it was super weird. So, at least you know of one other car out there that had similar odd behavior, hah!

I wish I had a fix for you, but I passed on the car so didn't mess with it.

[maupineda]

I have a Z4M which at times the passenger mirror will not work at all, and more recently, when that happens, the drver mirror will not work either. I have checked all wiring and is fine, the GM5 module does not control the mirrors, so is not that. I am replacing the switch also as the rocker switch may have gone bad. Please post your findings. My switch wont be with me until 5 weeks or so.

[TexaZ3]

I don't think its the switch tbh. I suspect the wires were crossed somewhere during mirror refurb - but I guess the new switch will confirm.

[elbert]

No thoughts on this? I am beginning to feel like I might be in uncharted waters. Never good.

Mirror issues are actually somewhat common on e46 cars. Could be a couple of things:
- control module p/n 61356916054 -- this could vary based on the year of your car, but I think all M3's have one for each side (facelifted non M3's don't have them). If your mirror has actual wires and not a ribbon cable, then you probably have the module. As a side note, they are daisy chained, so if one goes bad, it can affect the other side
- motor in mirror
- unlikely the switch as TexaZ3 said, but it's easy to replace

[LSB4Me]

Mirror issues are actually somewhat common on e46 cars. Could be a couple of things:
- control module p/n 61356916054 -- this could vary based on the year of your car, but I think all M3's have one for each side (facelifted non M3's don't have them). If your mirror has actual wires and not a ribbon cable, then you probably have the module. As a side note, they are daisy chained, so if one goes bad, it can affect the other side
- motor in mirror
- unlikely the switch as TexaZ3 said, but it's easy to replace

I have one new (interesting) detail to add. When I press the memory seat button, the mirrors go back to the correct, saved positions. This suggests that the motors/mirrors know what they where they should be but the input controls are sending bad signals.

New switch arrived today. Testing that later. If that doesn't solve the problem, I intend to buy a replacement module that fits inside the door panel. I had taken a picture of this the other day and can confirm the part number. Photo attached.

Is there a second module under the passenger door panel? It seemed like there was only the one.

[LSB4Me]

Update: Replacement switch didn't solve the problem. No surprise there but it was a good place to start before going deeper.

I recall seeing something about a potentiometer error when I plugged up to PASoft after this issue started. I will pull the codes and report back. Question: To replace potentiometer, I replace a mirror motor, correct?

This is all very strange as the memory button on my seat brings the mirrors right back to where they should be (read: their correct placement / aim, as set by me prior to this issue). That is the detail that I'm struggling to reconcile.

[elbert]

Is there a second module under the passenger door panel? It seemed like there was only the one.

Yes, there is another one on the passenger door.
FYI, I've had both a mirror and controller go bad at the same time (on my E46 325 wagon). So it took several rounds of part swapping between the mirrors and controllers to figure out what worked.

[LSB4Me]

Pulled the error today. This is what I got from PASoft: 04 [004] Mirror-moving-switch, interruption

Any thoughts on whether this is a clue or just a restatement of the obvious (my mirror switch no worky)?

New Clue: The passenger mirror doesn’t dip on reverse (it used to) … probably because the mirror switch isn’t functioning properly. No surprise there.

[LSB4Me]

Yes, there is another one on the passenger door.
FYI, I've had both a mirror and controller go bad at the same time (on my E46 325 wagon). So it took several rounds of part swapping between the mirrors and controllers to figure out what worked.

Are you familiar with what the module does?

My reading suggests it’s the memory module. I don’t have an issue pressing the memory button on my seat and getting to mirrors to return to their saved positions, so I’m not going to mess with these at present.

[elbert]

Are you familiar with what the module does?

My reading suggests it’s the memory module. I don’t have an issue pressing the memory button on my seat and getting to mirrors to return to their saved positions, so I’m not going to mess with these at present.

In my 325 wagon, I had problems with both mirror tilt (in reverse) and the direction the mirror would move with the joystick. Seat memory was OK. Replacing both modules fixed the problem. In my case, the mirror actuator was good with the replacement mirror.

I would definitely try one thing at a time. If you do end up opening the door panel, make sure that the vapor barrier is resealed correctly.