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Single mirror switch

E28 technical advice asked and given! Troubleshooting, modifications and more.
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arturo6210
Posts: 3
Joined: May 24, 2024 1:36 PM
Location: Spain

Single mirror switch

Post by arturo6210 »

Good afternoon everyone,
First of all, let me introduce myself. I am a 29 year old spanish guy who owns a 528i from 09/81. Despite I have been reading you all even before buying my machine, I did not have the enough bravery to write in here since now.
My concern is that my mirror switch does not have the button to actually choose which mirror I do want to move, if mine or the codriver's one.
Below you will see what I am referring to:
  Image

What I do find quite strange is the fact, if the right mirror is manually operated, it should have a kind of lever to move it, shouldn't it?
There's no such lever, so my assumption is that originally the car itself has both mirror electronically operated but, for whatever the reason, the previous owner changed the switch to this particular one. Am I right guys?

Also, let me point out totally off topic that I could not be more in debt with all of you. When I bought the 528i, I was completely a rookie broke student and, with so much patience and time spend in this forum, I could gather the money and the knowledge fix all the minor and not so minor issues my car had.
Once I have some time, I will introduce my machine and myself the way it should be done in this forum.

Thank you all folks!

PS, as stated above, I am from Spain, so sorry for any mistake while writing!!

 
kojo96
Posts: 923
Joined: Mar 31, 2019 7:39 PM
Location: Pleasanton CA

Re: Single mirror switch

Post by kojo96 »

I'm not an e12 expert but know that many of them only had a power drivers mirror, and the passenger was manual adjust.
Mike W.
Posts: 27513
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: California Whine Country

Re: Single mirror switch

Post by Mike W. »

Yes, even here in the US where we mostly got deluxe versions of BMWs, with most options as standard equipment, few E12s had right side mirrors.

However in your case, you need more than the switch, at least on the cars I've seen, there isn't any wiring for the right side mirror if it didn't originally come with it. There was a little sub harness for the right side mirror which confusingly had at least one wire change colors under the dash.
arturo6210
Posts: 3
Joined: May 24, 2024 1:36 PM
Location: Spain

Re: Single mirror switch

Post by arturo6210 »

kojo96 wrote: Mar 03, 2025 4:56 PM I'm not an e12 expert but know that many of them only had a power drivers mirror, and the passenger was manual adjust.
But then, I suppose it should have a kind of lever to manually adjust it. I don't think it has to be adjusted touching directly the mirror, right?
Mike W. wrote: Mar 03, 2025 5:30 PM Yes, even here in the US where we mostly got deluxe versions of BMWs, with most options as standard equipment, few  E12s had right side mirrors.  

However in your case, you need more than the switch, at least on the cars I've seen, there isn't any wiring for the right side mirror if it didn't originally come with it.  There was a little sub harness for the right side mirror which confusingly had at least one wire change colors under the dash.
I did not explain myself correctly. The point is that I am not sure if this switch of mine was the one that originally came with my vehicle. I will have to check it the right mirror has actually the harness or not, or directly buy a "normal" switch in which I can select which mirror to move.

In any way, I see that is a tricky question. Thank you both of you for your help!

Arturo
Mike W.
Posts: 27513
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: California Whine Country

Re: Single mirror switch

Post by Mike W. »

arturo6210 wrote: Mar 04, 2025 3:23 PM
I did not explain myself correctly. The point is that I am not sure if this switch of mine was the one that originally came with my vehicle. I will have to check it the right mirror has actually the harness or not, or directly buy a "normal" switch in which I can select which mirror to move.

In any way, I see that is a tricky question. Thank you both of you for your help!

Arturo
That might be a better test, but you can just pull the switch and see how many wires are going to it. If only 4, it's likely only wired for one mirror. If 6, then it would probably have the dual mirror wiring.

For US spec cars there are a number of VIN decoders, which typically list options too. You might be able to find out what yours came with if those decoders work or are available for Euro spec cars. The mirror might have been added at some point, but without the switch or wiring, or the switch itself might have been defective and replaced. No telling after 40+ years.
JohnH
Posts: 724
Joined: Jan 24, 2007 9:55 AM
Location: Surrey,UK

Re: Single mirror switch

Post by JohnH »

You can find the EBA retrofit instructions on OJs Autobahn, http://www.ow.no/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=34 . look for "Mirrors, electric passenger side". The first part is in German. Other languages follow below.
arturo6210
Posts: 3
Joined: May 24, 2024 1:36 PM
Location: Spain

Re: Single mirror switch

Post by arturo6210 »

Good afternoon guys,
After some days of silence, let me feedback you.
Mike W." wrote: Mar 04, 2025 4:54 PM
arturo6210 wrote: Mar 04, 2025 3:23 PM
I did not explain myself correctly. The point is that I am not sure if this switch of mine was the one that originally came with my vehicle. I will have to check it the right mirror has actually the harness or not, or directly buy a "normal" switch in which I can select which mirror to move.

In any way, I see that is a tricky question. Thank you both of you for your help!

Arturo
That might be a better test, but you can just pull the switch and see how many wires are going to it.  If only 4, it's likely only wired for one mirror.  If 6, then it would probably have the dual mirror wiring.

For US spec cars there are a number of VIN decoders, which typically list options too.  You might be able to find out what yours came with if those decoders work or are available for Euro spec cars.  The mirror might have been added at some point, but without the switch or wiring, or the switch itself might have been defective and replaced.  No telling after 40+ years.
I did as you said, and here you have the picture:

  Image

As you can see, there are 6 wires. So I suppose the other mirror is also electric but for whatever the reason, the previous owner changed the switch to this one. I will buy a new switch and that's all.
JohnH wrote: Mar 05, 2025 8:38 AM You can find the EBA retrofit instructions on OJs Autobahn, http://www.ow.no/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=34 . look for "Mirrors, electric passenger side". The first part is in German. Other languages follow below.
As stated above, it seems that I will not have to install new wires. But in any way, thank you for the link. I did not know that page, but I can see a lot of useful info. Thanks again!

That's all guys, thanks to everyone for supporting on this matter!!

Arturo
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