Exterior Power folding mirrors

Bungle · 25th September 2006, 14:55

Has anybody else noticed a potential problem with the folding mirror design?

I am not refering to the fact that they connot be folded unless you are in the car with the ignition on, but the fact that they collect water when folded.
I have noticed in the recent rain we have here that when unfolding the mirrors, they both pour with water once they are 'out'. It seems as though water collects and pools inside the mirror. Could this cause problems in the future for the electronics or something?

On a similar matter, my mirrors do not fold at the same speed. The driver's side is a bit faster, and smoother. The passenger side seems to struggle a bit, with the sound of the motors' speed fluctuating a bit. Difficult to describe, possibly similar to the variation you get in your voice if you nodded your head while humming. Make sense????? Not a big problem, I know, but I fear it may lead to bigger symptoms later.

Has anybody else noticed this or have any thoughts on the water-collecting mirrors?

SUPERTEACH · 25th September 2006, 16:42

Yes, I agree, the mirrors do collect water when folded- the damage caused down the line is an unknown at present. (Bit like all that tail-gate water--RUST?)
The driver's side mirror retreats etc faster than the passenger side but not by much.

At first the switch on the arm rest had to be on the LEFT setting to work but now works wherever the switch is-strange.

Charles_Harding · 25th September 2006, 16:45

Sounds as though it will fab in the Winter when it gets all frozen up!!!

I don't think the heaters fitted in them could cope.

TTDegs · 25th September 2006, 17:09

Not noticed the water (yet), but yes, the driver side is fractionally quicker - split second difference to fold / unfold, but definately there

I guess the electric has further to go from the switch to the motor

But mine also fold irrespective of where the other switch is

elfa7 · 25th September 2006, 17:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by SUPERTEACH

Yes, I agree, the mirrors do collect water when folded- the damage caused down the line is an unknown at present. (Bit like all that tail-gate water--RUST?)
The driver's side mirror retreats etc faster than the passenger side but not by much.

At first the switch on the arm rest had to be on the LEFT setting to work but now works wherever the switch is-strange.

In theory, we should'nt get rust in the hatch, because its plastic.

WoolyCiv · 25th September 2006, 22:18

I always fold mine when parked and have never noticed the water problem. Will watch out for it now.

Fedorov · 25th September 2006, 23:23

Yup drivers one folds faster, was a LOT faster recently after I washed it, passenger side was making more noise and was really struggling, seems to be back to what it was, obviously stuck the hose on it too much

Miggins · 26th September 2006, 00:11

Suggest finding a discrete little corner and drilling a small pilot hole (2mm DIAM) to aide drainage - If you are careful its not difficult to find somewhere that wont be noticed.

I've done this on a number 'plastic parts' that retain water on other cars - worst culprit is usually the rear hatch. The Civics ok for this, just dont drive off with your window down and a wet roof!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Glass Spider · 26th September 2006, 13:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miggins

just dont drive off with your window down and a wet roof!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’m guilty of this one, have learnt my lesson though

Bungle · 26th September 2006, 13:47

I am not too sure if I like the idea of drilling into my wing mirrors! I might give that a miss! I have another 2 1/2 years of warranty time, I will just monitor their progress...

I have realised that it is not only the ES and EX models with power mirrors, that the other models will get this too, it is just the way the mirrors rotate and act like cups.

On a side-note, I wonder how much these mirrors cost? They are heated, electrically adjusted, power folding and have indicators in them!

My old 04 civic had it's mirror hit and damaged by a passing lorry which cost the haulage company who's lorry hit it about £500 to repair! That was a similar style mirror, just without the power folding thing.

Ancient Nerd · 26th September 2006, 17:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bungle

My old 04 civic had it's mirror hit and damaged by a passing lorry which cost the haulage company who's lorry hit it about £500 to repair! That was a similar style mirror, just without the power folding thing.

It would be interesting to find out the cost of a Civic, if bought as spares.

I would guess somewhere around the £200,000 mark. Not a bad profit margin in there.

Civic Fan · 23rd November 2007, 00:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bungle

Has anybody else noticed a potential problem with the folding mirror design?

I am not refering to the fact that they connot be folded unless you are in the car with the ignition on, but the fact that they collect water when folded.
I have noticed in the recent rain we have here that when unfolding the mirrors, they both pour with water once they are 'out'. It seems as though water collects and pools inside the mirror. Could this cause problems in the future for the electronics or something?

On a similar matter, my mirrors do not fold at the same speed. The driver's side is a bit faster, and smoother. The passenger side seems to struggle a bit, with the sound of the motors' speed fluctuating a bit. Difficult to describe, possibly similar to the variation you get in your voice if you nodded your head while humming. Make sense????? Not a big problem, I know, but I fear it may lead to bigger symptoms later.

Has anybody else noticed this or have any thoughts on the water-collecting mirrors?

Come on be honest how many of you started humming whilst nodding your head after reading this post?? I certainly did! LoL

As for the folding mirrors, I don’t have them but notice that the passenger side mirror on my car is stiffer than the drivers side when manually folding them in. Could this be the same as the electric ones so is making the motor work harder

Give them a liberal squirt of WD40.

illegalhunter · 23rd November 2007, 07:03

Warrenty should take care of any problems that turn up

Kremmen · 23rd November 2007, 07:13

I've posted this before and it seems I have unique folding mirrors.

Mine start to fold in, then they both pause for a millisecond after they have moved about an inch, then continue to fold.

It's almost as if they have found a small hump to climb and require some extra pressure from the motor.

I have also tried WD40 but I am thinking that may have been a mistake, doesn't WD40 cause plastic against plastic to seize or increase friction somehow?

ukpm · 23rd November 2007, 11:42

Yes, give the WD40 a miss. It causes severe stick-slip behaviour in most hard thermoplastics. Hard waxes, and in some cases pure soap (from a bar) will be quite a good option, there are specialist lubricants you can get from places like RS Components, but their use is highly technical and could do more harm than good - they aint cheap either!

t0ny0k · 23rd November 2007, 12:22

I'm not sure that any lubricants will work. I have had my powerfold mirror apart and the elecrice motor and gear cogs are will hidden. To lubricate them, you will need to strip down completely. Not to be done unless you have complete confidence to be able to rebuild it. There is a degree of setting up to do on assembly to get the mirror to fold correctly.

Civic Fan · 23rd November 2007, 17:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukpm

Yes, give the WD40 a miss. It causes severe stick-slip behaviour in most hard thermoplastics. Hard waxes, and in some cases pure soap (from a bar) will be quite a good option, there are specialist lubricants you can get from places like RS Components, but their use is highly technical and could do more harm than good - they aint cheap either!

Wow I didn’t know that.

My mirrors are manual anyway and fold without problem. I just thought that the water repealing properties in WD40 would help avoid any corrosion in the electrical components. I’ll give it a miss then.

t0ny0k · 24th November 2007, 10:05

Unclip the colour coded plastic bit and you will be able to see some of the mechanism electrics or just pull out the mirror which just clips in. The mirror has two electrical connectors for the mirror heating. You may just want to protect the electrical connectors.
Just a note when removing the plastics be careful not to damage the clips.
I'll take some pics of my stripped down broken powerfold mirror and post,hopefully over the weekend.

Civic Fan · 24th November 2007, 12:06

Good pics there mate. I like to see a man who isn’t afraid of getting stuck in.

25th September 2006, 14:55	#1 (permalink)
Bungle Rocketship door handle Join Date: 3rd July 2006 Location: SE London/Kent Posts: 1,220 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Power folding mirrors Has anybody else noticed a potential problem with the folding mirror design? I am not refering to the fact that they connot be folded unless you are in the car with the ignition on, but the fact that they collect water when folded. I have noticed in the recent rain we have here that when unfolding the mirrors, they both pour with water once they are 'out'. It seems as though water collects and pools inside the mirror. Could this cause problems in the future for the electronics or something? On a similar matter, my mirrors do not fold at the same speed. The driver's side is a bit faster, and smoother. The passenger side seems to struggle a bit, with the sound of the motors' speed fluctuating a bit. Difficult to describe, possibly similar to the variation you get in your voice if you nodded your head while humming. Make sense????? Not a big problem, I know, but I fear it may lead to bigger symptoms later. Has anybody else noticed this or have any thoughts on the water-collecting mirrors?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads for: Power folding mirrors
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Other folding mirrors (Again)	aliendad	Electronics	1	13th July 2007 14:18
Automation Folding Mirrors...	Big Slick	Electronics	5	16th March 2007 16:10
Other Folding mirrors	Pottsy	Gallery	14	1st November 2006 13:20
Other Folding mirrors	terry	Electronics	2	18th October 2006 16:02


This thread is about: Power folding mirrors, it's in Bugs, faults and irritations at the Honda Civic forum Civinfo; Has anybody else noticed a potential problem with the folding mirror design? I am not refering to the fact that they connot be folded unless ...

25th September 2006, 16:42	#2 (permalink)
SUPERTEACH Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 17th August 2006 Location: Cheshire, England Posts: 629 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Yes, I agree, the mirrors do collect water when folded- the damage caused down the line is an unknown at present. (Bit like all that tail-gate water--RUST?) The driver's side mirror retreats etc faster than the passenger side but not by much. At first the switch on the arm rest had to be on the LEFT setting to work but now works wherever the switch is-strange.

25th September 2006, 16:45	#3 (permalink)
Charles_Harding Civinfo guru Join Date: 14th August 2006 Location: S.E. London Posts: 3,303 Thanks: 113 Thanked 27 Times in 26 Posts iTrader: (0)	Sounds as though it will fab in the Winter when it gets all frozen up!!! I don't think the heaters fitted in them could cope.

25th September 2006, 17:09	#4 (permalink)
TTDegs Super Moderator Civinfo master Join Date: 4th August 2006 Location: Cardiff Posts: 5,638 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	Not noticed the water (yet), but yes, the driver side is fractionally quicker - split second difference to fold / unfold, but definately there I guess the electric has further to go from the switch to the motor But mine also fold irrespective of where the other switch is

25th September 2006, 22:18	#6 (permalink)
WoolyCiv 12th June 2006 1.8EX Rocketship door handle Join Date: 28th May 2006 Location: Lancashire Posts: 1,118 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	I always fold mine when parked and have never noticed the water problem. Will watch out for it now.

25th September 2006, 23:23	#7 (permalink)
Fedorov Supporter Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 15th April 2006 Posts: 783 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Yup drivers one folds faster, was a LOT faster recently after I washed it, passenger side was making more noise and was really struggling, seems to be back to what it was, obviously stuck the hose on it too much

26th September 2006, 00:11	#8 (permalink)
Miggins Enthusiastic Supporter Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 25th August 2006 Location: The Twilight Zone Posts: 531 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	Suggest finding a discrete little corner and drilling a small pilot hole (2mm DIAM) to aide drainage - If you are careful its not difficult to find somewhere that wont be noticed. I've done this on a number 'plastic parts' that retain water on other cars - worst culprit is usually the rear hatch. The Civics ok for this, just dont drive off with your window down and a wet roof!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

26th September 2006, 13:47	#10 (permalink)
Bungle Rocketship door handle Join Date: 3rd July 2006 Location: SE London/Kent Posts: 1,220 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	I am not too sure if I like the idea of drilling into my wing mirrors! I might give that a miss! I have another 2 1/2 years of warranty time, I will just monitor their progress... I have realised that it is not only the ES and EX models with power mirrors, that the other models will get this too, it is just the way the mirrors rotate and act like cups. On a side-note, I wonder how much these mirrors cost? They are heated, electrically adjusted, power folding and have indicators in them! My old 04 civic had it's mirror hit and damaged by a passing lorry which cost the haulage company who's lorry hit it about £500 to repair! That was a similar style mirror, just without the power folding thing.

23rd November 2007, 07:03	#13 (permalink)
illegalhunter HACKIN & SLAYIN Civinfo guru Join Date: 10th May 2007 Location: In the woods armed to the teeth Posts: 2,860 Thanks: 6 Thanked 35 Times in 34 Posts iTrader: (0)	Warrenty should take care of any problems that turn up

23rd November 2007, 07:13	#14 (permalink)
Kremmen Krem de la Krem Civinfo guru Join Date: 7th January 2007 Location: West London Posts: 2,813 Thanks: 12 Thanked 18 Times in 18 Posts iTrader: (0)	I've posted this before and it seems I have unique folding mirrors. Mine start to fold in, then they both pause for a millisecond after they have moved about an inch, then continue to fold. It's almost as if they have found a small hump to climb and require some extra pressure from the motor. I have also tried WD40 but I am thinking that may have been a mistake, doesn't WD40 cause plastic against plastic to seize or increase friction somehow?

23rd November 2007, 11:42	#15 (permalink)
ukpm Wheelnut Join Date: 17th April 2007 Location: Holywood, Co. Down Posts: 93 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Yes, give the WD40 a miss. It causes severe stick-slip behaviour in most hard thermoplastics. Hard waxes, and in some cases pure soap (from a bar) will be quite a good option, there are specialist lubricants you can get from places like RS Components, but their use is highly technical and could do more harm than good - they aint cheap either!

23rd November 2007, 12:22	#16 (permalink)
t0ny0k Valve Cap Join Date: 8th December 2006 Location: South Wales Posts: 27 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	I'm not sure that any lubricants will work. I have had my powerfold mirror apart and the elecrice motor and gear cogs are will hidden. To lubricate them, you will need to strip down completely. Not to be done unless you have complete confidence to be able to rebuild it. There is a degree of setting up to do on assembly to get the mirror to fold correctly.

24th November 2007, 12:06	#19 (permalink)
Civic Fan Supporter Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 2nd July 2006 Location: Northeast Posts: 257 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Good pics there mate. I like to see a man who isn’t afraid of getting stuck in.