GS250 Mirror Not Tilting When Putting Car in Reverse

RMcNeil · November 17, 2023

Hello!

Hope everyone's keeping well?

I'm a long term lurker on this forum, but I'm a DIY-er and would like to give back in the next week or two by posting some pictures of doing DIY oil and brake changes for others, given how much I've learned from this forum without interacting at all so far!

My query is if anyone has any experience around fixing the following situation:

Problem: When I put my GS250 into reverse it normally would tilt both wing (side) mirrors down to the pre-set levels. But, all of a sudden ONLY ONE of the two side mirrors (driver's side mirror is the one that stopped working in case that matters) will actually have its glass tilt down to the pre-set level when I put it into reverse.

One reason I mention that only one mirror has a problem is to pre-empt the suggested solution from peers that perhaps its just that I haven't pushed either the left or right buttons on the driver's armrest (if no LEDs are on then it won't tilt for EITHER wing mirror I understand).

I'd be keen to try and fix the problem myself (IF I can be pretty sure on what the actual problem is, so it's a one time fix!!!), but if I can't then I guess I may have to stomach a £500 wing mirror fix on a car worth £14000 which seems kinda disproportionate 🙂 hence my query to all of you fine gentlemen and gentlewomen!

If anyone has any experience with this general situation, or any ideas I'd be all ears!

All the best, and hope everyone's doing well ahead of Christmas 🙂

Many thanks

RM

steve2006 · November 17, 2023

Can you still adjust the mirror position (up/down/left/right) ?

RMcNeil · November 17, 2023

Hi Steve2006,

Thanks for your input.

I can move the problem mirror left and right, BUT NOT up and down.

The other side mirror has full mobility (tilt glass up, down, left, right).

Let me know if any of the above isn't clear 🙂 Thanks!!

Best

RM

normski2 · November 19, 2023

Take a look at this. It may prove useful.

With care and the right method of approach you can get the mirrors apart quite easily.

Hope that helps

ColinBarber · November 19, 2023

On 11/17/2023 at 11:22 PM, RMcNeil said:

Hi Steve2006,

Thanks for your input.

I can move the problem mirror left and right, BUT NOT up and down.

The other side mirror has full mobility (tilt glass up, down, left, right).

Let me know if any of the above isn't clear 🙂 Thanks!!

Best

RM

Try pushing the glass at the same time as adjusting it with the switch to give it a helping hand - to feel if it is trying to work. Also try moving to the extreme left/right to make sure nothing has been caught up in the mechanism to prevent it moving correctly.

I'd guess either the motor/gearing has failed or wiring broken between the mirror and the door ECU. Try listening to the mirror when trying to operate it, you might be able to hear the motor spinning.

RMcNeil · November 26, 2023

Many thanks to everyone for their responses, very much appreciated.

Normski2 - very useful guide, the pictures are really clear and with detailed explanations.

ColinBarber - I tried listening to the rotor. I can only hear the rotor trying to work in the directions that the mirror glass will still tilt in. The problem direction produces no noise. From reading the guide that Normski2 provided and also looking at other Lexus forums / reading other posts on here, I tend to agree with you. It seems the problem is most likely either:

1 - one of the two rotors has failed and needs replacing;

2 - part of the rotor has corroded and needs a scrub (this seemed to be a fairly common reason for the issue?)

I'll open up the mirror in the next few weeks and see where we get to.

If it helps others in future who have the same problem, I believe the part number for 4th generation Lexus GS wing mirror glass tilting rotors is FC140RF7Z675. That is based on several searches on eBay and aliexpress. Relevant text from an aliexpress item listed for sale as I presume it's against community guidelines to post links: