Reverse Mirror Tilt

[ltumacder]

SEE POST #7

I have spent a lot of time researching my problem on the many 996/986 forums so I am hoping someone who has fixed this problem can help. I notice others have had it but no one I can find has followed up with the correct diagnosis.

I am driving a 1999 996 cab and when i go in reverse the passenger mirror tilts downs to the curb level. The problem is when i put the car in drive, mirror does go up, but only around 50% of the travel needed to return to the memory position. The funny thing is I can put the mirror back in its location by using the mirror toggle on the drivers a pillar. After searching on the web, I have drawn the following conclusions.

1. The settings or system needs that operate this function need to be reset by the dealer.

2. I have a bad mirror motor or control module.

3. I am not inputting the memory settings correctly, though I have tried for 4 months every possible combination detailed by this forum and many others on the web and I doubt there is another procedure i have not tested.

Any help would greatly be appreciated as this has been going on for six months now and its getting very annoying since its easy to forget to adjust your tilted mirror passing cars at 90 miles per hour.

Edited August 12, 2011 by ltumacder

[gusmagoo]

Might be worth checking that the mirror is seated correctly in its housing. If the lugs holding it in have popped out in some way the mechanism might think it’s fully returned when it hasn’t. But now that I’m saying it, would it allow you to adjust it further if it had popped out? Not sure…

[racerden]

I have spent a lot of time researching my problem on the many 996/986 forums so I am hoping someone who has fixed this problem can help. I notice others have had it but no one I can find has followed up with the correct diagnosis.

I am driving a 1999 996 cab and when i go in reverse the passenger mirror tilts downs to the curb level. The problem is when i put the car in drive, mirror does go up, but only around 50% of the travel needed to return to the memory position. The funny thing is I can put the mirror back in its location by using the mirror toggle on the drivers a pillar. After searching on the web, I have drawn the following conclusions.

1. The settings or system needs that operate this function need to be reset by the dealer.

2. I have a bad mirror motor or control module.

3. I am not inputting the memory settings correctly, though I have tried for 4 months every possible combination detailed by this forum and many others on the web and I doubt there is another procedure i have not tested.

Any help would greatly be appreciated as this has been going on for six months now and its getting very annoying since its easy to forget to adjust your tilted mirror passing cars at 90 miles per hour.

The $64K question is does the mirror dip down to the proper setting or is it also lower too? If so here's a few shots in the dark and a bit oppisite of your concern but it may be the deal. When vacuuming, I unknowingly moved the seat position very slightly. The next time I started out, the mirror would not dip down and the original up position was out of index. Remembering what the owners manual says about the seat/mirror memories I selected the #1 memory button, the seat returned to it's originally programed position (very slight difference) and everything came back. Another situation may be the his/hers key FOAB usage/settings. I'd suggest pull out the owners manual and re-do everything if necessary if you haven't done so yet. Lastly keep a close eye on the passenger side mirror glass when washing/drying. It's easily moved from it's desired index point during the process.

Just a few suggestions, G'luk

Denny

Edited March 1, 2011 by racerden

[ltumacder]

Thanks for the feedback. I am going to disassemble the mirror unit and make sure the mirror is seated properly. The mirror always dips down to the curb perfectly, it just doesn't return to it normal memory setting by itself. i have either have to use the manual toggle or I can press the memory button a couple times and that usually brings it back up.

[eduardrw_99]

Same problem here on a 2000 996 CAB. It returns to its programed position when I press the memory 1/2 button. But after reverse tilt it only comes up about 75%.

Have researched it but did not find a solution.

[BrianMarks]

I have the exact same issue. When I bought my 996 used, it turns out that the reverse lights were not working. The mechanic changed the reverse switch, now the reverse lights come on, but the passenger side mirror moves down and doesn't come up at all after you put it into 1st. I have to move it up using the switch. It is definitely a PITA.

[ltumacder]

I finally tackled the problem last weekend as the mirror was returning less and less to the original position.

I guessed that it was the mirror motor slowly giving out and decided to replace it. There are two mirror motors for 996's, one for memory seats and one for without. The difference in price is $90 vs $150 for the tilt down motor. One motor has 3 wires and the tilt one has 8. I found used mirror motors for $40 from Parts Heaven but none with the seat memory feature that the tilt mirrors need.

Interestingly, when I called the dealer I found out that the driver's side mirror motor is exactly the same as the passenger side. So, I simply switched the motors on my mirrors. After all, the driver's mirror does not need to tilt down.

All is good now and passenger mirror returns to original position after tilting - hope this helps anyone with this annoying problem.

PS. Removing the motor requires you to remove the glass first, remove 3 phillips screws holding the motor, and undo the wiring harness. You do not have to remove the whole mirror assembly.

Edited August 12, 2011 by ltumacder

[DanIelT]

Interesting, I have memory seats and the passenger mirror doesn't move at all.

Any input for a newbie on how this is supposed to work?

Thanks :clapping:

[whall]

Daniel,

You may have to program your passenger side rear view mirror. Check out pages 34 and 35 in this Owner's Manual:

http://www.renntech.org/forums/files/file/601-my03-carrera-996-owners-manual/

It is a MY03 manual but the programming sequence is most likely the same regardless of your MY.

BTW, a new Owner's Manual is only about $35 - $40 from your dealer. For some reason people ask hundreds for them on e-Bay. A new Maintenance/Service Manual is also available from the dealer for about $15 - $20. As a new owner, an Owner's Manual will keep you from running afoul of some of the systems and operating nuances that are not intuitive or immediately obvious.

Ooops! Just read your muffler post. After 25 years of Porsche ownership, you are probably very well attuned to the wonders/philosophy of German engineering.

Bill

Edited August 12, 2011 by whall

[baronb55]

I have the same problem on my 99 996 Coupe. How did you remove the mirror to replace the motor?

[ltumacder]

I have the same problem on my 99 996 Coupe. How did you remove the mirror to replace the motor?

I read this

http://www.macarbon.com/install_guides/Porsche/996/996%20Mirror%20Installation%20Instructions.pdf

and watched this.

The mirror (glass) feels like it going to break but keep pulling it and work your way around the edges like the video - it will come off. In my fix I had to remove both mirrors (glass). Like I mentioned you're not changing the mirror housing so you don't have to follow the video exactly, the video gives you a visual of removing the mirror and the motor.

Edited August 14, 2011 by ltumacder

[leonidasb22]

Hi All,

I have a question that has been bugging me.

I just purchased a 2004 911 carrera that has the 12 way power/ memory seats.

The mirrors and seats move electronically.

The problem I am having trouble doing is setting up the reverse mirror tilt.

I just went to the local Porsche dealer and they said that they didn't have that function in the USA models in 2004 996's and they received them in future 911 models for the USA. Is that true?

My manual says it should be programed and gives instructions but I cannot get it to work. Dealer said it was for European models only.

Please give me any advise you can and if that option is functional in USA 996 models.

THANKS.

Leonidas

[Loren]

Hi All,

I have a question that has been bugging me.

I just purchased a 2004 911 carrera that has the 12 way power/ memory seats.

The mirrors and seats move electronically.

The problem I am having trouble doing is setting up the reverse mirror tilt.

I just went to the local Porsche dealer and they said that they didn't have that function in the USA models in 2004 996's and they received them in future 911 models for the USA. Is that true?

My manual says it should be programed and gives instructions but I cannot get it to work. Dealer said it was for European models only.

Please give me any advise you can and if that option is functional in USA 996 models.

THANKS.

Leonidas

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