E46 M3 curios wing mirror fault? Programming?
Discussion
Hello all,
I've had my m3 back from bodyshop and have a problem that can't seem to be explained at present.
The car has the mirrors that can be adjusted from the drivers door 'joystick', including a dipping function for passenger mirror which can be manually activated by a switch next to joystick.
All working fine when car went in to bodyshop. I was having mirrors resprayed both sides amongst other work.
When I get car back, I can't adjust either mirror via joystick, but passenger mirror does dip (sort of) when selecting reverse, whether I like it or not.
Problem is that it does not return to previous position as it should.
Fix for this over Xmas was to remove fuse 57 and set mirrors by hand until I could speak to someone in the New Year.
I did this and it transpires mirror glass was also replaced, and this can cause the problem I now have (apparently).
The car is being looked at on Monday, but I don't know if this is a common problem or not?
The car has electric memory seats, but does not have the electric 'foldable' mirrors, this being a manual thing on my car. It is a 2002 coupe, manual gearbox.
My basic guess is that when the car is put into reverse then this sends a signal to somewhere in addition to reversing light, but the main mirror control (from joystick) has not been plugged back in when work was carried out.
The bodyshop have done a great job, including some extra bits for free, so I don't want to moan about it, but help find a cause if possible.
Any suggestion welcome. All fuses ok as checked.
Thanks in advance.
I've had my m3 back from bodyshop and have a problem that can't seem to be explained at present.
The car has the mirrors that can be adjusted from the drivers door 'joystick', including a dipping function for passenger mirror which can be manually activated by a switch next to joystick.
All working fine when car went in to bodyshop. I was having mirrors resprayed both sides amongst other work.
When I get car back, I can't adjust either mirror via joystick, but passenger mirror does dip (sort of) when selecting reverse, whether I like it or not.
Problem is that it does not return to previous position as it should.
Fix for this over Xmas was to remove fuse 57 and set mirrors by hand until I could speak to someone in the New Year.
I did this and it transpires mirror glass was also replaced, and this can cause the problem I now have (apparently).
The car is being looked at on Monday, but I don't know if this is a common problem or not?
The car has electric memory seats, but does not have the electric 'foldable' mirrors, this being a manual thing on my car. It is a 2002 coupe, manual gearbox.
My basic guess is that when the car is put into reverse then this sends a signal to somewhere in addition to reversing light, but the main mirror control (from joystick) has not been plugged back in when work was carried out.
The bodyshop have done a great job, including some extra bits for free, so I don't want to moan about it, but help find a cause if possible.
Any suggestion welcome. All fuses ok as checked.
Thanks in advance.
....failing that, it could be a fault in the control unit for the mirrors. This sits in the door, behind the door card. I recently had a mirror fail to heat up. I swapped this unit with another and it worked again. There's loads on eBay, but for now you can just test it by swapping the two.
Try the battery 'trick' first however.
Try the battery 'trick' first however.
Thanks for the above info.
I'll pass that on to the bodyshop in the morning.
Apparently, to get the old mirror glass out prior to respray there was no way to actually do this, without busting the old glass, hence why I've had new glass in both mirrors.
So I'm thinking it is something basic as you've suggested.
Any other suggestions welcome.
I'll post outcome when found as well.
I'll pass that on to the bodyshop in the morning.
Apparently, to get the old mirror glass out prior to respray there was no way to actually do this, without busting the old glass, hence why I've had new glass in both mirrors.
So I'm thinking it is something basic as you've suggested.
Any other suggestions welcome.
I'll post outcome when found as well.
BlimeyCharlie said:
Apparently, to get the old mirror glass out prior to respray there was no way to actually do this, without busting the old glass, hence why I've had new glass in both mirrors.
That sounds like bodyshop-bs to me: my e39 has M5 mirrors which are very similar to the M3s, & the glass comes out fine without smashing, if you take your time...& know what you're doing...? They may well have b*ggered up the connections in the mirror, though, if they're that cack handed.MarkwG said:
That sounds like bodyshop-bs to me: my e39 has M5 mirrors which are very similar to the M3s, & the glass comes out fine without smashing, if you take your time...& know what you're doing...? They may well have b*ggered up the connections in the mirror, though, if they're that cack handed.
Even BWM and the M tax wouldn't make mirrors that had to have the glass smashed to get it out.The E39 as said above is a sod, but all you have to do is tilt the mirror glass up and use a "special tool" (read piece of wire coat hanger withe a 90 degree bend at the end to create a hook) to pull a plastic ring collar anti clockwise and the glass is released, to put back in pull the collar clockwise.
I'd bet the M3 is the same or very similar...
It was explained to me that the mirror glass had to be rotated inside the mirror and it was stuck in place by double sided foam. But as I was not there I don't have a clue.
Either way I've now inherited a problem not previously there...
I still think it is a basic 'wire not plugged in' job but I'll know more later. Perhaps.
Thanks again.
Either way I've now inherited a problem not previously there...
I still think it is a basic 'wire not plugged in' job but I'll know more later. Perhaps.
Thanks again.
Anyway, several weeks have now passed from when the car went back again to the bodyshop, who in turn have sent it to a garage with a Bosch diagnostic computer set-up.
I'm being told, though getting conflicting stories, is that when new mirrors are fitted, or mirror glass, then the mirrors need reprogramming...
Makes sense to me, but I don't have a clue.
Today I'm now waiting (yet again) for an update about this as the computer can't read the mirrors (apparently) and may need updating (the computer).
The car is ten years old, which is the amount of time I have aged since my car was damaged 6 months ago!
I fail to see how 'modern' diagnostic equipment can't work with a ten year old car, bearing in mind it is the diagnostic equipment that needs updating. Apparently.
And a duff parking sensor has now finally been diagnosed, nearly a week after the car went to be diagnosed.
Good to see customer service is alive and well in 2013.
Anyone have any suggestions about this curious 'problem'?
I'm being told, though getting conflicting stories, is that when new mirrors are fitted, or mirror glass, then the mirrors need reprogramming...
Makes sense to me, but I don't have a clue.
Today I'm now waiting (yet again) for an update about this as the computer can't read the mirrors (apparently) and may need updating (the computer).
The car is ten years old, which is the amount of time I have aged since my car was damaged 6 months ago!
I fail to see how 'modern' diagnostic equipment can't work with a ten year old car, bearing in mind it is the diagnostic equipment that needs updating. Apparently.
And a duff parking sensor has now finally been diagnosed, nearly a week after the car went to be diagnosed.
Good to see customer service is alive and well in 2013.
Anyone have any suggestions about this curious 'problem'?
Thanks for the above input. Much appreciated.
The car does have electric memory seats, but I still fail to see why we are having this scenario, unless as suggested something has been broken.
To cut a long and tedious story short the car is going to BMW today to have them actually do the work, so will update when I have more news.
The car does have electric memory seats, but I still fail to see why we are having this scenario, unless as suggested something has been broken.
To cut a long and tedious story short the car is going to BMW today to have them actually do the work, so will update when I have more news.
Ah, OK that makes slightly more sense: the seats & mirror can be memorised as individual settings. But, a simple glass change really shouldn't be causing you that much grief, so a BM dealer or a good indie is the best bet to sort it. It might even be something as simple as the igntition key settings, they can also be programmed to a specific start up setting.
So I've spoken to the guy at the bodyshop (the owner) who has taken the car to BMW themselves today.
After booking the car in yesterday for attention early today, he arrives at BMW and nothing on the system saying he is booked in. A good start.
Then, after repeating the same story three times to three different 'technicians' during the course of the day, about what is wrong with the car, the third guy confirms that the mirrors don't need programming as they are not auto-fold mirrors.
Anyway, the car has memory seats...and in the handbook the mirrors and seat can be/or is part of the memory function from the key.
Am I right in assuming that maybe the key is not 'talking' to the mirrors, for whatever reason? It is the same key though, not the spare or anything that has been substituted recently. Have always used the one key.
Could it be the key needs reprogramming, then it may 'talk' to the mirrors? Or is it the memory seat spoiling things for the mirrors via the key?
BMW are saying they can't swap another part to rule out anything, as it is an 'old' car, and don't carry any parts on the shelf for it. Have to order them in and buy them. What a great idea to make money.
The fact they don't have a clue about it at £105.00 an hour is disappointing to say the least.
Strange that, I guess they will be happy to charge hour after hour guessing at that rate for as long as I have a hole in my passage.
So I think it is key related, something basic, though the highly-skilled technician is stripping both doors down to check the wiring. Or it might be one of the floor mats is slightly worn, and generating a static discharge that has messed with the mirrors.
Therefore, I might treat myself to a new set of BMW carpet mats then, and maybe an entire exhaust system, just in case. It'll work out cheaper than a technician guessing.
And the bodyshop guy thinks that BMW are poor? I've had 6 months of this sh*t now...
As I've said already, surely e46 M3's, especially later reg' ones, must still be in the main dealer system in some number? They must have an idea? Not having an idea is profitable though. Forgot that.
Any suggestions welcome.
Thanks in advance.
After booking the car in yesterday for attention early today, he arrives at BMW and nothing on the system saying he is booked in. A good start.
Then, after repeating the same story three times to three different 'technicians' during the course of the day, about what is wrong with the car, the third guy confirms that the mirrors don't need programming as they are not auto-fold mirrors.
Anyway, the car has memory seats...and in the handbook the mirrors and seat can be/or is part of the memory function from the key.
Am I right in assuming that maybe the key is not 'talking' to the mirrors, for whatever reason? It is the same key though, not the spare or anything that has been substituted recently. Have always used the one key.
Could it be the key needs reprogramming, then it may 'talk' to the mirrors? Or is it the memory seat spoiling things for the mirrors via the key?
BMW are saying they can't swap another part to rule out anything, as it is an 'old' car, and don't carry any parts on the shelf for it. Have to order them in and buy them. What a great idea to make money.
The fact they don't have a clue about it at £105.00 an hour is disappointing to say the least.
Strange that, I guess they will be happy to charge hour after hour guessing at that rate for as long as I have a hole in my passage.
So I think it is key related, something basic, though the highly-skilled technician is stripping both doors down to check the wiring. Or it might be one of the floor mats is slightly worn, and generating a static discharge that has messed with the mirrors.
Therefore, I might treat myself to a new set of BMW carpet mats then, and maybe an entire exhaust system, just in case. It'll work out cheaper than a technician guessing.
And the bodyshop guy thinks that BMW are poor? I've had 6 months of this sh*t now...
As I've said already, surely e46 M3's, especially later reg' ones, must still be in the main dealer system in some number? They must have an idea? Not having an idea is profitable though. Forgot that.
Any suggestions welcome.
Thanks in advance.
Does anyone want to buy a pristine e46 M3?
Lovely looking car, ideal for watching landing aircraft from the wing mirrors, and if an ant farts it triggers the reversing sensors. It is that sensitive.
So, all in all, a lovely car. BMW main dealer visit only today as well.
Any takers?
Open to sensible offers. May include some of my hair that has fell out with stress.
Lovely looking car, ideal for watching landing aircraft from the wing mirrors, and if an ant farts it triggers the reversing sensors. It is that sensitive.
So, all in all, a lovely car. BMW main dealer visit only today as well.
Any takers?
Open to sensible offers. May include some of my hair that has fell out with stress.
The key programming relates to what happens when you either unlock the car, or put the key in the ignition: it'll move the seat, the steering column (if powered) & the door mirrors into a preset position for each key - so if the missus is a sweet little munchkin that likes to rest her nose on the airbag as she drives, you can still get in the thing when she's finished with it, without the aid of a crowbar or rupturing yourself.
As far as I'm aware, this can only be done using the BMW interrogation system that the dealers or the best indies have, I don't think a standard diagnostic kit can do it. Usually this was done for the first owner on request, but can be done retrospectively. If that was mucking about I reckon the mirrors would function correctly from the joystick, you'd just get nothing moving when you unlock the car. My money would still go towards a wiring or a disconnected plug in the door, or maybe a frazzled mirror control unit, & I'd say it's still down to the original bodyshop, it's pretty much a school boy error which they're fumbling. I suspect that someone whacked the mirror, then tried to swap it without disconnecting the battery, & with the keys in the ignition & that's stuffed the mirror ecu, or they did it in a rush & swapped or snapped a wire.
As far as I'm aware, this can only be done using the BMW interrogation system that the dealers or the best indies have, I don't think a standard diagnostic kit can do it. Usually this was done for the first owner on request, but can be done retrospectively. If that was mucking about I reckon the mirrors would function correctly from the joystick, you'd just get nothing moving when you unlock the car. My money would still go towards a wiring or a disconnected plug in the door, or maybe a frazzled mirror control unit, & I'd say it's still down to the original bodyshop, it's pretty much a school boy error which they're fumbling. I suspect that someone whacked the mirror, then tried to swap it without disconnecting the battery, & with the keys in the ignition & that's stuffed the mirror ecu, or they did it in a rush & swapped or snapped a wire.
Hmmm good work Mark...
I've just rang BMW myself and spoke to the guy who worked on the car yesterday. The car is still there this morning, but they've used up their 2 hours allocated and have found the following problem...
The wiring was 'wrong'.
However, one mirror works fine now wired correctly, whilst the other one only goes up and down, but not left and right.
The saga continues.
I will update as and when.
Thanks again so far.
I've just rang BMW myself and spoke to the guy who worked on the car yesterday. The car is still there this morning, but they've used up their 2 hours allocated and have found the following problem...
The wiring was 'wrong'.
However, one mirror works fine now wired correctly, whilst the other one only goes up and down, but not left and right.
The saga continues.
I will update as and when.
Thanks again so far.
Basically, the summary from BMW, via the chap at the bodyshop is that the nearside door mirror is knackered, and a new one is required, as in the whole thing, including casing. Mirror only goes up and down, or left and right. Can't remember which.
Not sure how this conclusion has been arrived at, but this is going to cost £670.00 plus spraying and fitting.
The bodyshop are looking at sourcing a secondhand one and fitting that instead.
So, after 3 whole weeks, I now have one working door mirror, one knackered one, and a duff parking sensor still.
As always, any suggestions welcome.
Not sure how this conclusion has been arrived at, but this is going to cost £670.00 plus spraying and fitting.
The bodyshop are looking at sourcing a secondhand one and fitting that instead.
So, after 3 whole weeks, I now have one working door mirror, one knackered one, and a duff parking sensor still.
As always, any suggestions welcome.
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