Power Mirrors Gone Wild

[wharriso]

Lately, almost every time I get into my Explorer, the driver side, side mirror moves up to its limit and starts clicking. sometimes it comes back down and adjusts itself normally, sometimes it just continues to click. Occasionally, the passenger side mirror does the same thing, but rarely. I can correct it with the buttons but you would think it would just remember its settings. Anyone have any idea how I can tame the wild mirrors?

 

[Steve8316]

This suggests that the position sensors (potentiometers) are aging, or that their circuits have high resistance, causing the DDM to not know where they actually are. So it starts driving them toward where it thinks they should be, even to their mechanical limits (the clicking). Have you tried setting their memory locations again? That might simply let the DDM learn the sensors' conditions. If that doesn't work, you'll either have to test each one's circuit, or replace the position sensors (probably integral to the motor assembly) or the whole mirror head.

 

[wharriso]

This suggests that the position sensors (potentiometers) are aging, or that their circuits have high resistance, causing the DDM to not know where they actually are. So it starts driving them toward where it thinks they should be, even to their mechanical limits (the clicking). Have you tried setting their memory locations again? That might simply let the DDM learn the sensors' conditions. If that doesn't work, you'll either have to test each one's circuit, or replace the position sensors (probably integral to the motor assembly) or the whole mirror head.

I have reset the saved position several times. It seems to be a sporadic thing even though it happens more frequently lately. Sensors are a reasonable explanation but I think it’s odd that this would cause both the left and right mirrors to act up. I remember years ago hearing about a TSB recommending some kind of reprogramming or software upgrade to make the Explorer remember the saved seat settings, which I never got. I am thinking that might have something to do with it.

 

[javaleo]

Same problem. New Mirror fixed it. Got a new one because an A$$Hole "punched" my mirror. Cops got him and he paid for new mirror. It almost $1000.