What Causes the Failure of the Auto-Folding Mirror Function?
3 Answers
The reasons for the failure of the auto-folding mirror function are as follows: Reason 1: The battery is disconnected or dead. In this case, the exterior mirrors must be reset to function properly. The specific reset method is to manually operate the folding button. Reason 2: After setting the mirrors to fold when locking the car, they were folded manually. In this case, you need to enter the car and press the button on the door to manually unfold the exterior mirrors. Reason 3: The electric mirror motor is damaged, or the control switch fuse is blown. Due to long-term bending of the wiring during mirror folding, it may cause breakage or loose connections, leading to failure.
I've been repairing cars for decades, and automatic mirror folding failure is a common issue. The motor is the most prone to problems—that small engine driving the folding mechanism tends to wear out or seize up over time, especially rusting and stiffening in humid weather. There are also circuit issues; fuses may blow during overcurrent, like short-circuiting after car washing. Aging control switches are also common—oxidized button contacts may not respond when pressed. Some new cars even have electronic module failures, possibly becoming unstable after software updates. First, check yourself: manually adjust the mirror to see if it's stuck, then inspect the fuse box and try replacing the fuse. If the motor is broken, replacing it can be costly, but ignoring it may damage the entire mirror, affecting parking safety. During regular maintenance, clean the mirror joints to reduce dust buildup.
Last month, the folding function of my car's side mirror suddenly stopped working, which gave me a scare. I thought it was some major issue, but after checking, it turned out to be a blown fuse. Spent five bucks on a new fuse, replaced it, and it was fixed. A friend's car had a similar problem before, and he said the most troublesome part is when the motor gets stuck—usually cleaning out dust or thawing it can restore functionality. Switch button failures also happen often, where you can't even hear a sound when pressing it. My suggestion is to start with simple troubleshooting: try manually folding to check for obstructions, listen for button sounds; then see if the fuse is blown. If DIY doesn’t solve it, take it to a budget repair shop—don’t rush into replacing parts right away. A money-saving tip is to maintain the mirrors regularly and avoid frequent folding in rain or winter. Delaying repairs can make them costlier, and parked cars are more prone to getting scratched.
