What Causes the Car's Rearview Mirror to Fail to Retract Automatically?
3 Answers
Car rearview mirrors may fail to retract automatically due to the owner manually folding them, which can disable the automatic retraction function, or it could be caused by a disconnected or dead battery. Below is relevant information about car rearview mirrors: 1. Working Principle: Rearview mirrors have a field of view issue, referring to the range that the mirror surface can reflect. The industry mentions three elements of the field of view: the distance between the driver's eyes and the rearview mirror; the size of the rearview mirror; and the radius of curvature of the rearview mirror. 2. Design Points: The aspects include the obtainable field of view (indirect vision), image distortion, image clarity, image size, and the position of the image in the rearview mirror, making it easy to adjust according to changes in the driver's viewpoint. 3. Classification: They can be divided into three main series: flat mirrors, spherical mirrors, and double-curvature mirrors. There is also another type called the prism mirror, which has a flat surface but a prism-shaped cross-section, commonly used as an anti-glare interior rearview mirror.
I've been driving my car for several years, and recently the rearview mirror suddenly stopped retracting automatically, which is particularly inconvenient when parking, especially in tight spaces where it's easy to scrape against things. At first, I thought it was just stuck, but after trying the button several times with no response, restarting the vehicle didn't help either. Later, when I took it to the repair shop for inspection, the mechanic said the motor might be burnt out, or the control switch could have poor contact. He also mentioned that a short circuit or a blown fuse could cause this issue. In winter, the mirror's pivot area can easily freeze and get stuck, so it needs careful handling. I suggest that if you encounter this situation, first manually check for any obstructions and gently try to see if it can retract—don't force it to avoid damaging more parts. Safety first, so take it to a professional shop for repairs promptly; tampering with electrical issues on your own can easily lead to accidents. Additionally, some car models have settings that might accidentally disable the automatic function, so check the owner's manual to confirm.
As someone who enjoys DIY car repairs, I've dealt with non-retracting side mirrors several times. Common causes include burnt-out motors, short circuits or broken wires, and blown fuses. I recommend first opening the fuse box to locate and inspect the mirror-related fuse; if it's blown, try replacing it with a new one. Then, use a multimeter to test the motor's voltage and check for current flow. Sometimes mechanical parts like gears get stuck—applying some lubricant and gently moving them might solve the issue, but avoid forcing it to prevent damage. Dirty contacts on the control switch can also cause poor connectivity; clean them with an alcohol swab. If you can't fix it yourself, seek professional help, as electrical issues carry significant risks. For prevention, regularly clean the mirror pivot to avoid dust buildup, and pay attention to de-icing in winter.
