SL/R231: Mirror turn signal replacement/repair?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 76
Likes: 29
From: Arlington, TX
2018 SL 450, 2019 Volvo XC40
Mirror turn signal replacement/repair?
So yesterday I parked in a parking lot away from most of the cars (as one does) but did not lock the doors because I was only going to be inside for two minutes. Consequently, the side mirrors were not folded. (I think you can see where this is going.)
I walk back out to see that someone has driven off and clipped my passenger side mirror (yes, I'm glad it was *just* the mirror), and now it's hanging in a couple of pieces from the wiring.
At first I thought it was going to have to be entirely replaced, but eventually I realized that the impact had basically popped the top she'll off the bottom and knocked the mirror glass off its clip-on mount to the motor. With some finessing I managed to pop the whole thing back together and snap the mirror back in place, and I was shocked to see that the whole thing still worked.
Or so I thought — turns out (pun intended) that the integrated turn signal in the mirror shell was no longer illuminating. I'm guessing that I didn't realize something was disconnected when I snapped everything back together — but now I can't figure out how to get the thing apart again. I've gotten the mirror glass back off and taken out the 3 Torx screws that hold the motor in place so I can remove the motor, but I can't seem to get any further along than that.
I found a YouTube video for the R230, but it's just different enough to not be much help. Does anyone know of a video showing how to access/replace the turn signal part? Or does anyone even know how to find the part number? I'm thinking if I can see where the wiring connector is located on the turn signal that maybe I can figure out how to plug it back in.
Any help appreciated, thanks!
I walk back out to see that someone has driven off and clipped my passenger side mirror (yes, I'm glad it was *just* the mirror), and now it's hanging in a couple of pieces from the wiring.
At first I thought it was going to have to be entirely replaced, but eventually I realized that the impact had basically popped the top she'll off the bottom and knocked the mirror glass off its clip-on mount to the motor. With some finessing I managed to pop the whole thing back together and snap the mirror back in place, and I was shocked to see that the whole thing still worked.
Or so I thought — turns out (pun intended) that the integrated turn signal in the mirror shell was no longer illuminating. I'm guessing that I didn't realize something was disconnected when I snapped everything back together — but now I can't figure out how to get the thing apart again. I've gotten the mirror glass back off and taken out the 3 Torx screws that hold the motor in place so I can remove the motor, but I can't seem to get any further along than that.
I found a YouTube video for the R230, but it's just different enough to not be much help. Does anyone know of a video showing how to access/replace the turn signal part? Or does anyone even know how to find the part number? I'm thinking if I can see where the wiring connector is located on the turn signal that maybe I can figure out how to plug it back in.
Any help appreciated, thanks!
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 1
Likes: 1
R231 2017 SL500
The mirror cover with indicator built in just clips off, it does require a little bit off force with some leverage from a trim tool.
I've got an old cover in garage, I'll take some pics for you tomorrow.
The indicator wiring plug is built into the mirror cover, the corresponding male/female plug is built into the main mirror, so when you clip cover back on the two plugs automatically mate if that makes sense. I suspect, the plastic clip holding one of the plugs has probably snapped dislodging one of the plugs meaning they are no longer connected. You may have to glue them in place and refit.
Edited to add ebay listing with some pics that may help in the mean time
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284636378866?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=w8rb6aF0Tcm&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=r6ePd_FFT8 O&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
I've got an old cover in garage, I'll take some pics for you tomorrow.
The indicator wiring plug is built into the mirror cover, the corresponding male/female plug is built into the main mirror, so when you clip cover back on the two plugs automatically mate if that makes sense. I suspect, the plastic clip holding one of the plugs has probably snapped dislodging one of the plugs meaning they are no longer connected. You may have to glue them in place and refit.
Edited to add ebay listing with some pics that may help in the mean time
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284636378866?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=w8rb6aF0Tcm&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=r6ePd_FFT8 O&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Last edited by Danger Mouse; Aug 8, 2022 at 04:29 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 739
From: Nor-Cal
2020 GLC300 -2014 Sl550 - 1997 SL600
Hopefully paint isn’t damaged ☹️
Attached are the pertinent WIS (R231) sections. Hope it helps.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 76
Likes: 29
From: Arlington, TX
2018 SL 450, 2019 Volvo XC40
Okay, you guys are both awesome — thank you! Thanks to the pics on eBay and the WIS extracts I was able to see exactly how to get it apart and how to fix it.
And yes, one of the retainer clips was indeed broken, so I epoxied that once I got the cover off again, and the turn-signal wiring connector in the top cover had come unclipped just as predicted, so I put a dot of epoxy on that as well to hold it in place for reassembly. After 30 mins for the epoxy to cure, I put a drop of WD-40 into the friction-fit connector to ensure it would easily mate back up when I snapped the cover back in place.
And voilà, all fixed! There was a bit of paint (I'm looking for you, man in a white car!) on the very outside edge, but a tiny bit of polishing compound took it right off. There is a small area about 2 mm in diameter where the paint was taken down to the plastic, but I'm sure a dot of touch-up paint will fix it right up.
Thanks again!
And yes, one of the retainer clips was indeed broken, so I epoxied that once I got the cover off again, and the turn-signal wiring connector in the top cover had come unclipped just as predicted, so I put a dot of epoxy on that as well to hold it in place for reassembly. After 30 mins for the epoxy to cure, I put a drop of WD-40 into the friction-fit connector to ensure it would easily mate back up when I snapped the cover back in place.
And voilà, all fixed! There was a bit of paint (I'm looking for you, man in a white car!) on the very outside edge, but a tiny bit of polishing compound took it right off. There is a small area about 2 mm in diameter where the paint was taken down to the plastic, but I'm sure a dot of touch-up paint will fix it right up.
Thanks again!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 231
From: In the minds of others rent free.
SL 400
I hope this works out for you, but my first thought was who would be out in public without locking their doors?? I know that many of us live in happy town USA, but in this great state of Maryland you wouldn't catch me leaving my doors unlocked for 1 minute as I ran into the gas station, or whatever. There are always people looking to open your car doors and rummage through your things looking for goodies.
I would suggest getting a dash cam, they can be had for under $200 bucks and in some cased under $60. If you get one be sure to get the kind that sends data to your phone, because someone may break-in and take the cam. You may never need a cam in the future (sure would have helped you this time though) but it sure feels good when you do need it and it is there.
Good luck and check for cameras in the area that may have caught the perp. Cross street, store, shopping center, etc.
Keep us updated.
I would suggest getting a dash cam, they can be had for under $200 bucks and in some cased under $60. If you get one be sure to get the kind that sends data to your phone, because someone may break-in and take the cam. You may never need a cam in the future (sure would have helped you this time though) but it sure feels good when you do need it and it is there.
Good luck and check for cameras in the area that may have caught the perp. Cross street, store, shopping center, etc.
Keep us updated.
So yesterday I parked in a parking lot away from most of the cars (as one does) but did not lock the doors because I was only going to be inside for two minutes. Consequently, the side mirrors were not folded. (I think you can see where this is going.)
I walk back out to see that someone has driven off and clipped my passenger side mirror (yes, I'm glad it was *just* the mirror), and now it's hanging in a couple of pieces from the wiring.
At first I thought it was going to have to be entirely replaced, but eventually I realized that the impact had basically popped the top she'll off the bottom and knocked the mirror glass off its clip-on mount to the motor. With some finessing I managed to pop the whole thing back together and snap the mirror back in place, and I was shocked to see that the whole thing still worked.
Or so I thought — turns out (pun intended) that the integrated turn signal in the mirror shell was no longer illuminating. I'm guessing that I didn't realize something was disconnected when I snapped everything back together — but now I can't figure out how to get the thing apart again. I've gotten the mirror glass back off and taken out the 3 Torx screws that hold the motor in place so I can remove the motor, but I can't seem to get any further along than that.
I found a YouTube video for the R230, but it's just different enough to not be much help. Does anyone know of a video showing how to access/replace the turn signal part? Or does anyone even know how to find the part number? I'm thinking if I can see where the wiring connector is located on the turn signal that maybe I can figure out how to plug it back in.
Any help appreciated, thanks!
I walk back out to see that someone has driven off and clipped my passenger side mirror (yes, I'm glad it was *just* the mirror), and now it's hanging in a couple of pieces from the wiring.
At first I thought it was going to have to be entirely replaced, but eventually I realized that the impact had basically popped the top she'll off the bottom and knocked the mirror glass off its clip-on mount to the motor. With some finessing I managed to pop the whole thing back together and snap the mirror back in place, and I was shocked to see that the whole thing still worked.
Or so I thought — turns out (pun intended) that the integrated turn signal in the mirror shell was no longer illuminating. I'm guessing that I didn't realize something was disconnected when I snapped everything back together — but now I can't figure out how to get the thing apart again. I've gotten the mirror glass back off and taken out the 3 Torx screws that hold the motor in place so I can remove the motor, but I can't seem to get any further along than that.
I found a YouTube video for the R230, but it's just different enough to not be much help. Does anyone know of a video showing how to access/replace the turn signal part? Or does anyone even know how to find the part number? I'm thinking if I can see where the wiring connector is located on the turn signal that maybe I can figure out how to plug it back in.
Any help appreciated, thanks!
Last edited by ThatsMyDawg; Aug 9, 2022 at 08:32 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 697
Likes: 238
From: Illinois
S560/SL550/LS460/Q70L 5.6 AWD
I would't ever drive without a dash cam after a gal hit my LS 460 in the back, for a total cost of (my car repaired, her car totaled, , etc) of around $50,000, which by the way was eventually paid by her or her insurance....
