Why does one side of the rearview mirror fold while the other does not?
2 Answers
The reason why one side of the rearview mirror folds while the other does not may be due to a malfunction in the power-folding feature of the rearview mirror. The interior rearview mirror is designed to allow the driver to confirm the rear view without significantly altering their forward line of sight. Exterior rearview mirrors are typically mounted on the doors of passenger vehicles.
When I recently pondered why one side of the power-folding mirror retracts while the other doesn't, the common root causes typically involve mechanical component wear or jamming. For instance, after prolonged use, the gear set in the folding mechanism may experience unilateral seizure or rust buildup, causing uneven motor torque distribution that leaves one side inoperative. Alternatively, electrical system faults like wiring shorts, poor contacts, or blown fuses can disrupt power supply to just one side's control module. Having diagnosed similar cases before, I've found external factors like door frame impacts sometimes bend connecting rods. During repairs, prioritize checking fuse locations and motor functionality – neglecting this may progressively degrade the folding system's structure. To prevent recurrence, regularly clean accumulated dust or grease in mirror crevices, particularly crucial for vehicles driven in rainy/humid regions, as this significantly extends service life.
