Hello All,

The side view mirrows don't work intermittently, and also the defrost function on the driver's side side view mirrow doesn't work either. Could all this be caused by a grounding wire not properly grounded? I've replaced the center console control panel that contains all the switches for the side view mirrors and the individual door windows, and I don't recall seeing a specific grounding wire. There was just a bunch of wires that attached to a harness that in turn "snapped" into the control panel. That's my recollection.

Is there a dedicated grounding wire attached to this control panel? If there is, I'd like to look for it before I go ordering a new control panel needlessly. Thanks to all who respond to my inquiry.

Hugh

I just realized that you replaced the window switchs!! Check the 2 plugs under the console and make sure they are completely seated. One of them may be a little loose. You should hear a "snap" when they go together.

The rear light bulb in the console is very delicate, meaning that the holder that the bulb sits in is a piece of garbage. You might want to inspect the holder and squeeze it with a pair of pliers to get good contact so the wires don't fall off. I had that trouble with mine.

I found that if you take out the plastic under the e brake, then you can move your fingers under the e,s,m switch and pop that out. Then you should be able to pop out the window switches from there, by reaching under and pushing up. I guess that having size 15 hands and long fingers helps.

The defrost for the left hand mirror not working, but the right OK, may be a bad heater or wire for that mirror.

Klaus
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The 164 has a new home, all I am left with are a 95 854T and a 98 V70R :)

Klaus,

I only temporarily replaced the head light switch with a new unit. As soon as I confirmed it didn't cure any of my multiple problems, I put back the old switch. With regard to the single bulb that goes in the back of the console, there are two lead wires that connect to the two metal prongs at the base of the single filament bulb. One wire I believe is black, the other brown. It doesn't matter (I believe) which order you attach to the bulb. From past experience, I believe, you can just attach the wires without having to place the bulb back in the holder to see if all you needed was a new bulb. The metal backet that holds the bulb I'm almost certain does not serve as a gound for the bulb. Am I wrong about that? I had a bag of several spare bulbs. I checked that none of their filaments were broken, and hooked up one after another to see if the bulb would work to no avail.

With regard to the driver's side mirror having a bad wire, does that mean the whole mirror has to be replaced, or do I just pull out the mirror and look to seek if there is a broken wire preventing the mirror from defrosting. Klaus, thanks for your help.

Hugh


P.S. I'm following your advice religiously to rule out the possibly causes for these problems that are "ganging up on me!"

The brown wire to the rear bulb in the console is the ground wire. I meant to say that the female connectors to that bulb may need to be squeezed a little to keep the small male prongs in place.

There are several ground wires in the bundles under the center console. They are easy to spot, they all get attached to the wall of the tunnel. Most are brown in color. The grounds are normally OK, unless there is a large amount of coffee or cola that seeped into the area. Same for the switches. Sometimes, a sticky switch, probably not your case, can be cleaned just by moveing it back and forth a dozen or so times.

When I first got my 854T, there was a phone cradle in the car. One of the wires was connected to the same fuse as the mirror switches. When I removed the phone power wire, the fuse was loose and would only make contact when it felt like it. I bent the bottom prongs of the fuse and now all is well.

As for the defrost, save that for last. Yes the mirror comes off, but you need to be able to tilt the glass to pop it off and check the wires. Then you can use a multimeter to check for voltage when the defrost switch is on. It could even be a broken wire at the door hinge.

Klaus

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The 164 has a new home, all I am left with are a 95 854T and a 98 V70R :)

Klaus,

Thanks for your help.

Hugh