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348 side mirrors

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by oper8, Feb 23, 2006.

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  1. oper8

    oper8 Karting

    Feb 23, 2006
    66
    Las Vegas
    #1 oper8, Feb 23, 2006
    I just picked up a 348 and despite having an independent 3rd party inspect the car, have discovered that the side mirrors (both passenger and driver) can't be repositioned.

    I don't think it is the fuse because the manual says that the fuse for side mirrors is the same as that for the "glove box" and that mirror works fine.

    Any thoughts or is this going to be my first trip to the mechanic?

    thanks
     
  2. Miltonian

    Miltonian F1 Veteran

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    #2 Miltonian, Feb 23, 2006
    Welcome to Ferrari Chat!

    Are you aware of the chronic problem on 348's with the stupid/silly electrical pin connectors in the door jambs? Just for giggles, open the drivers door and pull back the rubber boot where it attaches to the twist connector at the front of the door. It is possible that you will see some broken wires or evidence of corrosion. There are numerous threads on this subject in the archives here.

    It's also possible that your mirror switch is defective or unplugged, in which case it would be necessary to remove the inner door panel for diagnosis. It doesn't seem likely that the problem is in the mirrors themselves, if both of them are inop.

    My manual says the same fuse operates the wipers and the stop lights.
     
  3. BT

    BT F1 World Champ
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    #3 BT, Feb 23, 2006
    I would recommend replacing the pin connectors and wiring through the door jamb with connections in the door and in the fender area. This will eliminate many electrical problems with the 348. It should be easily done in an afternoon.
    BT
     
  4. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #4 ernie, Feb 23, 2006
    Well I'm not answering anything until he fill's out his profile.
     
    FloridaIsland348 likes this.
  5. No Doubt

    No Doubt Seven Time F1 World Champ

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    #5 No Doubt, Feb 24, 2006

    The mirror problem is most often a door jamb wiring issue, next most often a switch issue (the whole plastic enclosure for the switch just pulls out for inspection with a bit of wiggling), sometimes a fuse issue, and once in a blue moon a mirror/motor issue itself.

    Miltonian did a great write-up on the latter here: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=80978

    Scroll down a bit from this link to see how to remove the door trim as well as for the pictorial on how to fix any door jamb wiring issues: http://webpages.charter.net/aircover/348/1994Ferrari348Spider.html#Electrics

    And go here for the "New Owner's Primer" for 348's: http://webpages.charter.net/aircover/348/1994Ferrari348Spider.html

    Welcome to the 348 Brotherhood.

    As a new 348 owner, you'll be buying Stabilant 22a to rub onto your electrical connections (saves thousands and keeps you running): http://ricambiamerica.com/advanced_search_result.php?osCsid=5bab8303e931b7c1e80d1397b5011076&keywords=stabilant&osCsid=5bab8303e931b7c1e80d1397b5011076&x=49&y=17

    You'll also want to fill out your FerrariChat user profile (lest you fall out of favor of the gang).
     
  6. oper8

    oper8 Karting

    Feb 23, 2006
    66
    Las Vegas
    #6 oper8, Feb 24, 2006
    Thanks to all for their thoughts. I will get to it this weekend and let you know.
     
  7. oper8

    oper8 Karting

    Feb 23, 2006
    66
    Las Vegas
    #7 oper8, Mar 17, 2006
    Slowly getting around to my side mirror problem. . .

    Miltonian wrote in a different threat.

    "Just as step 1 in diagnosing the problem with your power mirrors, fuse #5 in the step panel fuse box provides power to the wipers, stop lights, and power mirrors. If both of your mirrors are inoperative, chances are that there is no power getting to the switch on the left door panel. The wire in question is blue with a black stripe. It comes from the brake light switch (mounted at the pedal under the dash), through the multi-pin connector at the left door jamb, to the power window switch. The most likely problem is a bad connection or a broken pin at the multi-pin connector.

    If you pull back the rubber boot at the twist connector in the door jamb, you will be able to see about 18 wires that should be attached to pins. Look for the blue/black wire. Is the wire broken where it attaches to the pin? Can you take a test light and get power at that wire with the ignition on? If yes, the problem is further upstream inside the door panel. If no, test for power at the same wire where it attaches to the brake light switch. If you have power there, but not at the pin, then the pin is probably corroded so badly that no current is flowing through it.

    The problem might turn out to be something else, but this is what I would check first, and it can easily be done at home without taking anything apart."

    So, . . .

    Well, I've located the blue back wire by removing the housing with the window controls in the side mirror and it doesn't appear to be here. Excuse my "newbie" ness, but when you say rubber boot at the twist connector in the door jamb . . .is this somewhere else or am I looking in the correct place?



    Thanks again
     
  8. oper8

    oper8 Karting

    Feb 23, 2006
    66
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    #8 oper8, Mar 24, 2006
    Finally got the side mirrors working. It came down to replacing the switch with a new one and voila. . .I can see the lanes next to me.

    Eddy
     
  9. No Doubt

    No Doubt Seven Time F1 World Champ

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    #9 No Doubt, Mar 25, 2006
    Cool.
     
  10. Ingenere

    Ingenere F1 Veteran
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    #10 Ingenere, Mar 25, 2006
    Mine worked for about.................nah, they never worked, and I've had the car for 16+ years. Fortunately I haven't grown in the last 16 years, so I haven't had to reposition them. Glad to hear yours are working.........I'm jealous!
     
  11. Mike in ATL

    Mike in ATL Karting

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    #11 Mike in ATL, Mar 25, 2006
    both of my mirrors move left & right but not up & down. What do you think?
     
  12. RP

    RP F1 World Champ

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    #12 RP, Mar 25, 2006

    Yes, he might be a Republican spy, or at minimum a terrorist from the Bush White House.
     
  13. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #13 ernie, Mar 25, 2006
    Huh?
     
  14. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #14 ernie, Mar 25, 2006
    It could be the switch also. Maybe it's not making contact for the up and down motion, but is making contact for the side to side motion. I would have a look at the connections first before I replaced it.
     
  15. rivee

    rivee F1 Rookie

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    #15 rivee, Mar 25, 2006
    Partly because I have this obsession with taking things apart and seeing how they work, and partly because I'm too cheap to buy a new switch, I pulled out the old switch and carefully took it apart. I inspected it, cleaned it, re-greased it, and reinstalled it. Works great now.

    "CAUTION". When you open up the switch, watch where everything goes (especially the springs) or you'll be spending your entire night trying to figure out how it goes back together.
     
  16. Mike in ATL

    Mike in ATL Karting

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    #16 Mike in ATL, Mar 26, 2006
    Can I check the switch without pulling off the door cover? Does the switch pull out. I guess the whole cover with the window switches comes out with it?
     
  17. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #17 ernie, Mar 26, 2006
    Oh common Mike don't be chicken, take it apart. Do it, do it, do it, do it..........:D

    Actually I think you can just pop them out. But I do think it is easier to just push them out from the back. There are two clips on the top and bottom of the switch that hold it in place, or maybe it's on the sides. Try popping them out, and if they don't seem to want to come out, then take it apart.
     
  18. Mike in ATL

    Mike in ATL Karting

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    #18 Mike in ATL, Mar 26, 2006
    I guess I'll try popping out the whole switch cover with a screwdriver tomorrow
     
  19. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #19 ernie, Mar 26, 2006
    Try using something with a wider blade, like a putty scraper.
     
  20. Mike in ATL

    Mike in ATL Karting

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    #20 Mike in ATL, Apr 13, 2006
    Cool!

    I used an ice scraper edge to pop out the switches. Pulled the plug to the mirrors & sprayed both sides with contact cleaner. Wish I would have done this a long time ago. I was also able to tuck in where the leather had pulled apart from the door jamb.

    Mike
     
  21. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #21 ernie, Apr 13, 2006
    Nice work Mike. So they are working now right?
     
  22. Mike in ATL

    Mike in ATL Karting

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    #22 Mike in ATL, Apr 13, 2006
    Yes, I now have side to side & up & down capability. However, Now the switch to flip from right to left mirror feels tight.
     

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