passenger mirror not moving down when reversing

[christos3000]

When I first bought my '97 540 auto, the passenger mirror would aim down at the curb when I was in reverse to aide in parking. This feature could be turned on and off by the selector switch on the driver door that selected which mirror you wanted to adjust with the electronic mirror controls. For some crazy reason, the mirror still works when I mannually adjust it, but no matter what I try, I cannot get the damn thing to point down towards the curb automatically when I am in reverse.

Quite a pain in the ass when I live in downtown chicago and I have gotten so used to parking with the help of the mirror.

Anyone have any idea how to get it working again?


Thanks

[BavarianWheels]

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...and the selector is set for driver's side? I hear you. I kinda hate this feature myself...It's always off for me!
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[Dark Helmet]

yeah, selector has to be on the driver's side... other than that... call the service mgr.

[Apeman]

Maybe try disconnecting the battey for a few minutes, give everything a hard reboot so to speak. Worked for me when my seat memory went a little bit wonky.

[Dark Helmet]

heck, I can't even figure out how to program the seat in the first place!!!!

[Greco540]

heck, I can't even figure out how to program the seat in the first place!!!!

You have to be kidding, right?

If not, place your seat and steering and mirrors where you want them, then hit the red M on the door and then the number of the memory you want to store teh position in. To test move your seat, steering and mirrors, then push and hold the momory button until everything goes back to what it was set at.

[Dark Helmet]

interesting.... will have to explore this newfangled contraption.... :D:D

thanks greco... its my wife's car, I only have so much time to sort out the details!

[BavarianWheels]

To test move your seat, steering and mirrors, then push and hold the momory button until everything goes back to what it was set at.

That also annoys me...why did the designers make it so you have to hold the button. On our previous '91 LS400...it was a one-touch deal. Very nice that way! I hope it changed after...

::WHINE WHINE:: ;)
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[DMZ]

I guess BMW didn't want to be liable if someone's finger or toes get jammed under the seats while they are moving.


That also annoys me...why did the designers make it so you have to hold the button. On our previous '91 LS400...it was a one-touch deal. Very nice that way! I hope it changed after...

::WHINE WHINE:: ;)
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[NickG]

When I first bought my '97 540 auto, the passenger mirror would aim down at the curb when I was in reverse to aide in parking. This feature could be turned on and off by the selector switch on the driver door that selected which mirror you wanted to adjust with the electronic mirror controls. For some crazy reason, the mirror still works when I mannually adjust it, but no matter what I try, I cannot get the damn thing to point down towards the curb automatically when I am in reverse.

Quite a pain in the ass when I live in downtown chicago and I have gotten so used to parking with the help of the mirror.

Anyone have any idea how to get it working again?


Thanks
Does your instrument cluster still indicate 'R' when putting it in reverse? If not, that's causing the problem. The instrument cluster sends a signal to the mirror's control unit whenever the tranny is in reverse. If the cluster isn't registering reverse, then the mirror won't pivot down.

[christos3000]

Does your instrument cluster still indicate 'R' when putting it in reverse? If not, that's causing the problem. The instrument cluster sends a signal to the mirror's control unit whenever the tranny is in reverse. If the cluster isn't registering reverse, then the mirror won't pivot down.


AHHH, Thats the answer! I did actually notice about a month ago that the lights were out on the insturment cluster in the region where it used to display what gear I was in. I just figured the display was crap, and the bulbs were burned out.

Can anyone think of any other negative effects of having an insturment cluster not recognize what gear I am in? I doubt its worth fixing if the only adverse effect is the mirror not going down when in reverse.

[NickG]

AHHH, Thats the answer! I did actually notice about a month ago that the lights were out on the insturment cluster in the region where it used to display what gear I was in. I just figured the display was crap, and the bulbs were burned out.

Can anyone think of any other negative effects of having an insturment cluster not recognize what gear I am in? I doubt its worth fixing if the only adverse effect is the mirror not going down when in reverse.
Your reverse lights may not work now, and if you have rear PDC, that might also not work.

[MGregski]

Check your fuses then, could be as simple as that.

[Dwayne]

That also annoys me...why did the designers make it so you have to hold the button. On our previous '91 LS400...it was a one-touch deal. Very nice that way! I hope it changed after...

::WHINE WHINE:: ;)
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Actually, you can do it with one touch. If your door is open and you hit a memory number, you don't have to hold it in. If the door is closed, you have to hold it. The logic behind this is so that if you bump a button while you're driving down the road and your seat squishes you against the dash... well, that's not just gonna work. If the door's open, you're either outside of the car or not moving, so it's ok to not have to hold it.

[myred318i]

Actually, you can do it with one touch. If your door is open and you hit a memory number, you don't have to hold it in. If the door is closed, you have to hold it. The logic behind this is so that if you bump a button while you're driving down the road and your seat squishes you against the dash... well, that's not just gonna work. If the door's open, you're either outside of the car or not moving, so it's ok to not have to hold it.


HA! I never knew that!! BRILLIANT I tell ya! :cool: