First off is to remove the triangular plastic trim panel on the inside of the mirror- (you'll need to have the door open to remove it!) just pull gently to unhook the 3 clips. Then pull hard. Then swear. Then lever it off with a screwdriver. Actually it comes off fairly easily.
Next uncouple the electrical connector, it has a latch to press before it'll come apart. Some people blame the connector for problems, so it's worth checking for corrosion and give it a clean and spray anyway.
Now remove the 3 allen bolts holding the mirror on. Leave the top one till last and hold the mirror as you remove the last one. Feed the cable through to the outside and the mirror is free. Now you can do the rest inside in the warm!
The lower mirror glass has to be removed to get access to two torx screws that hold the mirror plastic casing together. It's held on by a sticky pad that will come off if you warm the glass with a hairdryer for a minute, then gently prise it off with a hooked instrument.
The upper (adjusting) mirror glass is held on by a circular plastic clip arrangement, no adhesive. Again a gentle pry off with a hooked instrument and it's free- well almost as it has electrical connectors to heat the glass. Leave these on and move the glass out of the way. Now you can undo another 4 torx screws. There is a catch to free, which is hidden when the mirror is in the normal folded out position, so close the mirror to the folded in postition, and unhook the catch. Now the plastic casing will separate and the internal gubbins is visible- 2 motors and gears to adjust the mirror, 1 motor and "black box" to fold the mirror in and out.
In my case the problem was with the small electrical connectors to the "black box" controller in line with the motor that does the folding in and out. They were corroded, and after a clean, all was well. Some people have bypassed the black box altogether and connected the motor direct.
I suspect the black box is no more than a thermistor - that limits the current drawn by the motor if it is stalled against an obstruction, in the same way as electric windows.
I tested the mirror before reassembly, and it worked, so back it all went.
Result- saving over a hundred quid
for a new part, so it's worth a try.
HTH
Neil
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