Reasons why the right rearview mirror of Audi A6 cannot open
4 Answers
The folding motor of the vehicle's rearview mirror is malfunctioning, which causes the rearview mirror to fail to open. In this case, do not manually force the rearview mirror to move, as it may cause gear teeth damage. It is necessary to take the vehicle to a repair shop for disassembly and repair, identify the specific fault, and restore normal use after repair. Functions supported by the Audi A6L rearview mirror: 1. Electric adjustment function. 2. Electric folding function. 3. Memory function for rearview mirrors. 4. Heating function for rearview mirrors. 5. Automatic downward tilt of the rearview mirror when reversing. 6. Automatic folding of the rearview mirror when locking the car. 7. Automatic anti-glare function for night use.
I just encountered this situation last week when unfolding the power-folding mirrors—the right one seemed stuck and wouldn't budge. The first step is to check the corresponding mirror fuse in the fuse box, as this is often the easiest fix. In my case, a blown fuse cut off power, and replacing it restored normal function immediately. If the fuse is fine, further troubleshooting is needed. It could be due to aging door wiring harnesses, especially in cars that are seven or eight years old, where cable breaks are common. Another frequent issue is worn carbon brushes in the folding motor or seized gear sets—I once replaced the left-side motor assembly for over 600 RMB. If no obvious cause is found, the mirror control module (hidden inside the door panel and tricky to diagnose) is likely faulty. Oh, and in winter, thickened grease can also cause sticking—try heating it with a hairdryer for a quick fix.
When I drove my old A6, the rearview mirror also acted up—the right one wouldn’t open, which was really annoying. First, check if the door control switch button is malfunctioning; this part is prone to poor contact after frequent use. If the button light turns on normally, the switch issue can basically be ruled out. It’s more reliable to remove the door trim panel and test the power supply circuit. I’ve seen many cases where wires at the door hinge were repeatedly bent, causing internal core breakage. A burned-out folding motor will also stop working directly—listen for a faint buzzing current sound as evidence. Actually, there’s another hidden fault point at the mirror base’s connector; oxidized metal terminals lead to poor conductivity, and sanding the contacts can solve it. Finally, don’t force the mirror to move—if the gears get damaged, it’s not worth the trouble.
This is most likely an issue with the electronic system acting up. The inspection sequence is crucial: first lock and unlock the car with the remote to trigger automatic deployment, ruling out button sticking problems. Test the voltage at the right door switch connector—no reading indicates a circuit interruption. Focus on the wiring harness inside the corrugated tube between the door and body; during my last repair, I found all five wires in my car were severed. If power supply is normal, then the folding motor is likely dead—this OEM motor costs over 900 bucks. Additionally, control unit program glitches are possible; visiting the dealership to read fault codes with their computer is the most hassle-free solution. During rainy seasons, also check if the mirror drainage holes are clogged—waterlogged motors are guaranteed to fail.
