What is the reason for the side mirrors not retracting when locking the car?

[VonDaisy]

When the side mirrors do not retract upon locking the car, they need to be reset to function properly. The specific reset method involves manually operating the folding button. After unlocking the vehicle next time, the exterior mirrors will not automatically unfold; you will need to enter the car and press the button on the door to manually unfold the exterior mirrors. Introduction to Side Mirrors: As the widest component installed on a vehicle, side mirrors are most susceptible to impact in the event of a collision. To minimize the risk of scratches, side mirrors are equipped with a folding function. Function of Side Mirrors: Side mirrors with a folding function can be retracted when passing through narrow passages, improving the vehicle's maneuverability. When the driver leaves the car, the side mirrors can also be folded, not only protecting the mirror surface but also reducing parking space requirements, effectively avoiding scratches.

[DelAbel]

Failure of mirrors to retract when locking the car is a fairly common issue. I've encountered it several times myself, and through troubleshooting, I've identified these likely causes: First, the mirror folding switch might be turned off—some vehicles require manual activation of this feature, and last time, I accidentally pressed the switch, causing it to malfunction. Second, the folding motor could be damaged; water ingress during car washes or aging parts can cause it to jam, especially in older vehicles. Third, wiring issues—loose connectors or rodent damage to wires inside the door panel. A mechanic once mentioned that wires become brittle in winter, increasing failure risks. Another possibility is a blown fuse, usually located in the fuse box under the driver's side dashboard—replacing it with a new one (costing just a few dollars) often fixes the issue. Lastly, the body control module might glitch, leading the system to incorrectly judge that folding isn't necessary. I recommend first checking the settings in the owner's manual; if that doesn't work, proceed to inspect the door panel internals.

[McThomas]

Recent car repair experience taught me that non-retractable side mirrors can stem from three main causes. Mechanically, it's often due to worn folding gears or rusted drive shafts, especially prone to jamming after repeated freeze-thaw cycles in northern winters. Electrically, check for short circuits in door control wiring, blown fuses, or relay failures - a multimeter test of motor power supply can diagnose this. Electronically, the issue may be oxidized button contacts or control module programming errors requiring re-flashing. I've noticed this malfunction frequently occurs after car washes when water seeps into the motor housing. For DIY solutions, try applying WD-40 to lubricate and remove rust from pivot points - if ineffective, door panel removal for part replacement becomes necessary.

[MalachiFitz]

It's quite annoying when the mirrors don't fold in after locking the car. After researching, I found the most common issue is a setting problem: some vehicles require checking the 'Auto Fold' option in the screen or holding the lock button to activate the function. Additionally, sensor abnormalities can trigger this, such as when a door isn't properly closed or the gear isn't in P position, the system will disable the folding function. In terms of physical faults, slipping plastic gears in the mirror base is typical - my car had this issue last time, where missing teeth on the gear caused the motor to spin idle. There's also a less common reason: aftermarket dash cams drawing power from the dome light might interfere with control signals. Remember to disconnect the battery negative terminal to reset the system when troubleshooting.