[Leelou]

I recently had the folding mirrors stop working consistently, until they finally gave up the ghost. I hit up VW, they wanted $600 for the base (which includes the failing/failed motor). So I tried the usual Jaycar, Repco, AutoOne, with no luck. The winner was ebay. These motors are used in most euro cars (Audi/Merc/BMW), though I still had to pay $20 for a $6 part. Still, it's better than the VW option. Anyways, here are the part numbers and some pics.
The biggest pain in the arse is getting the compression on the spring, which a pair of pliers and some zip ties make easy work of and the smaller zip tie you can get away with the better, as it makes it easier to get them out. The mirror pops out easy enough, just be warned that in the process of removing it, the alignment track for the electric adjustment can dislodge from behind. It can only be fixed with the mirror and casing removed..
Hope this helps and save you a few bucks...

 

[New2Tregs]

Great job. Always good to see owners finding ways to save $$ on repairs and sharing the process.
IMO the folding mirrors are usefull for some situations but I very rarely fold them and have the option to have them fold when the vehicle is locked disabled in the MMI menu.

 

[Leelou]

Sure, I understand. Unfortunately around Sydney, parking is tight and as a moto rider, it's always nice to know you're seen when splitting and the simple process of dragging the mirrors in and giving a rider that bit of extra space, shares the love...

I love the wealth of info on here. You lads and ladies are epic!

 

[gazza77]

I recently had the folding mirrors stop working consistently, until they finally gave up the ghost. I hit up VW, they wanted $600 for the base (which includes the failing/failed motor). So I tried the usual Jaycar, Repco, AutoOne, with no luck. The winner was ebay. These motors are used in most euro cars (Audi/Merc/BMW), though I still had to pay $20 for a $6 part. Still, it's better than the VW option. Anyways, here are the part numbers and some pics.
The biggest pain in the arse is getting the compression on the spring, which a pair of pliers and some zip ties make easy work of and the smaller zip tie you can get away with the better, as it makes it easier to get them out. The mirror pops out easy enough, just be warned that in the process of removing it, the alignment track for the electric adjustment can dislodge from behind. It can only be fixed with the mirror and casing removed..
Hope this helps and save you a few bucks...

View attachment 238424

 

[gazza77]

Thanks for your reply. I'm in western NSW and don't have the Sydney traffic issues but would like the mirrors to be fully functional. I'm not positive the "fold" motor is at fault but with my ear on the driver's side mirror, I can hear a noise indicating power to the mirror when the switch is activated - but no folding action. All other functions (adjustment, heating, turn indicators & puddle light) are operational. The passenger's side mirror is fully functional.
Back to the non folding RHS mirror - looking at your pics, the mirror is dismantled from the outside of the vehicle. To minimise my chance of breaking any of the clip connectors, I would greatly appreciate a step by step procedure to remove the mirror glass and separate the plastic housing, (I could only imagine the cost of replacing any part of the mirror housing body).
Thank you in anticipation.

 

[phteven]

I just had this happen to me too passenger, passenger side mirror just didn't unfold one morning... very unfortunate, and vw quoted me $840 for the mirror assembly before labor........ for a feature that only works when locking the doors this is absolutely ridicules. has anyone figured out a way to just lock out the mirror so its steady and doesn't wobble? I could care less if my power mirrors don't work, at least not for $800 plus my time.

 

[eswae]

Is this the correct motor?

15.97US $ 6% OFF|Original Fc-280sb-16220 Dc Motor 12v Carbon Brush For Car Rearview Folding Mirror Motor Fc280sb 16220 - Cables, Adapters & Sockets - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

will be attempting this as driver's side mirror wont fold out anymore. The passenger is ok though for now

 

[phteven]

Is this the correct motor?

15.97US $ 6% OFF|Original Fc-280sb-16220 Dc Motor 12v Carbon Brush For Car Rearview Folding Mirror Motor Fc280sb 16220 - Cables, Adapters & Sockets - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

will be attempting this as driver's side mirror wont fold out anymore. The passenger is ok though for now

I'm pretty sure that's the right motor, I was going to try this out but ended up wiggling with wires on the motor until it worked and just turned the feature off so it won't get stuck again

 

[seanmm24]

I'm pretty sure that's the right motor, I was going to try this out but ended up wiggling with wires on the motor until it worked and just turned the feature off so it won't get stuck again

Did switching out the motor work for you?

I have almost the exact same issue. My passenger side mirror stopped unfolding most of the time .I would have to play with the switch for ages to get it out. Then the passenger side started working fine but a couple of weeks later the driver side stopped folding out. That was a month ago and it's still not working, so I have the wobbly driver side mirror all the time. Like others on here I don't want to pay the dealer a grand for what is likely a very small electrical issue. Any advice on how you fixed your would be great?

 

[phteven]

I never changed the motor or anything I just removed the mirror glass and took apart the mirror housing to get to the motor wires (I think they were white and yellow), then I wiggled the wires while hitting the fold toggle so the mirror would funcrion and be in the unfolded position and never touched it again, but I assume the wires have a bad solder joint connection in the motor itself. The only way to fix it for cheap is find the Ali express or wish mirror motor and replace, if not VW wants $600CAD for the mirror base only...

 

[Honza]

Thanks for this post.

Some feedback.
About 6 months ago my RHS mirror (in EU the passenger side) folding function quit working when it was folded in. Pretty annoying. Fortunately when unfolding by hand to see traffic, even when the mirror was not in lock, on the German Highway with around 260Km/h, the aerodynamics were actually slightly unfolding the mirror. Pretty weird, but the mirror was holding it's position..

I do xenon bulbs, oil and filters replacement on the street myself, but have good relationship with VW in my local place ( the guys fixed the car like new, after an old men in Yaris ripped the whole side of the T-reg open during a side crash ) So I asked them to sell me the servo, and as you mentioned, they sell only complete mirrors. Here the complete mirror without replacement works was like €750 in autumn 2021, am not sure how much the AU$ to € is nowadays.

I tried to get to the wiring as you mentioned and tried to remove the mirrorglass gently according to:

Well, there was no pop, there was a crack.

Tried to find 2nd hand complete mirror, with cam, side assistant, heating and foldable. All between €400 and €800, yep, some car-wreckages ask more than new price for 2nd hand

So I ordered 2nd hand mirror 7P6857522B . Here these are around €50, the aftermarket ones around €20 , fortunately only on my drivers side is self dimming, these mirrors are €150/pc 2nd hand.
And I ordered according to your recommendations the servo on AliXpress. Came very professional packed for €15 or something. Today I had time to replace it. Thanks to your instructions! And as U mentioned to get the spring compressed is a hell. TieRaps didn't work, there is no place. Finally from a step, pushed down with all my weight (100Kg) on open end spanner 22mm, the spring compressed this way down over the notch, and a friend slide the locking plate in. Tried 1 hours all kind of ideas alone, but with 2 of us it was fixed in 1 minute. Assembly of the rest of the mirror took 5mins or so.

I wanted to thank Leelou, for the help by sharing his experience here.

Cheers, Honza from Czech Republic

Blue marked one, is new from AliExpress
Green Marked one is Original 2013

Tie wraps didn't work for spring compression, there is no space between the spring-guides and springs, 1 person pushing down the washer, compressing the spring. Best is Open-end spanner size 22, it goes nicely over the notch. U need to do some yoga to get it under control. 2nd person sliding the lock plate in, then tapping in with hammer.

 

[Ragman]

it seems the earlier models had a different setup, spring seems to be riveted in? can't see how to remove the spring?