S320 - 1996 Mirror malfuntion and need help PLEASE

[johnquantran]

First, HAPPY THANKSGIVING to everybody.
Second, I am quite upset because my wife drives the car and hit the bushes so passenger mirror is NOT function at all. The mirror switch at the stick shift are not function at all. So as you see the picture's mirror is stay at that position. This also cause the seats are unable to move up/down. I take a look at the switch box in the engine compartment at the driver side and found the switch #21 and 30 are burned. Can someone recommend how should I troubleshoot this problem now. Thank you very much.

[shimshon]

you need to replace or rewire the side mirrors. Their wiring is shorted out due to insulation decomposition. It isn't cheap to replace but requires expertise to rewire.

[Douglas Dees]

I had the same problem with my side mirror on my 1995 S 500 coupe. The wire was broken. It is not a difficult fix
Happy thanksgiving
Canadians have eaten their turkey a few weeks ago
Doug Dees

[johnquantran]

Does any of you has an instruction of how to remove the mirror housing and schematic so I can use. Thanks again for all your help and sharing.
Best,
--John

[kcscout]

Removing the mirror housing is very easy once you understand how it is held in place. You first must fold the mirror against the car. If your mirror controls work, use them to fold the mirror. If the controls don't work (which I suspect if your wires are shorted our) you can force the mirror to fold manually by pushing it in towards the car. Don't worry, it is designed to do this just as if you brushed against a pole or something. Once the mirror is folded carefully examine it from the back. You may need a flashlight to see the spring wire that holds the mirror in place. To release this you will need two thin but fairly long flat screw drivers. Insert them along the back edge of the mirror housing and gently pry the spring wire down off the two catch points of the housing. Once you clear the catch points the housing will slide off to the front. The wiring harness to these mirrors are notorious for failing by the insulation wearing out. You can try some liquid insulation but the best fix is to replace the harness. This requires the removal of the inner door panel, which is a lesson for another day.

kcscout

[iss]

Originally Posted by johnquantran

Can someone recommend how should I troubleshoot this problem now.

hi, here is:
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w140...revisited.html

[johnquantran]

Thank you so much for all your help.
--JT

[dginney]

I ended up rewiring mine also. I just replaced one wire at a time. It was however tricky to duplicate the OE harness so my replacement worked when folding without binding. The OE wires like stated before, the insulation disintegrated but the wire was good. Also the wire I think they use is aluminum as it didn't solder well. Trying to remember as it was a couple years ago!

[johnquantran]

I rewire but the fuse #21 still burn everytime I start the engine. Is this relate to some sort of relay or something? Something relate to Automatic Climate Control?
HELP PLEASE....
BTW, does anybody know where to buy the "rubber insulation". The piece of insulation between the mirror and to the car? I check with AutohausAZ.com but they don't carry that.
Thanks again.
--JT