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SI B51 36 08
Body Equipment April 2009
Technical Service

This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B51 36 08 dated February 2009.

designates changes to this revision

SUBJECT
Outside Mirror Moves when Unlocking the Vehicle

MODEL
E90, E91 (3 Series Sedan and Sports Wagon) produced up to 9/2008 and equipped with power front seats, option code SA459

SITUATION
When unlocking the vehicle via the remote key fob or the central locking button, the driver's side outside mirror moves unexpectedly. This condition occurs intermittently. When the mirror moves, it seemingly goes to a random position. Pressing the seat memory button typically will return the mirror to the stored position.

CAUSE
When the unlock signal is sent to the car, a mirror position self-check is performed. One of the factors in determining the mirror's present position is an expected resistance value in the circuit. Due to a higher than expected resistance, the Footwell Module (FRM) calculates the mirror position incorrectly. The mirror is then moved to what is believed to be the correct position. The unexpected resistance value is caused by one of the following:

* Corrosion on the LIN-bus connection at the mirror, switch block, or FRM

* Poor connection at the mirror, switch block, or FRM

* Damaged mirror electronics

CORRECTION
Repair or clean the appropriate connections. In isolated cases, the mirror electronics need to be replaced.

PROCEDURE

1. Reproduce the customer complaint by locking and unlocking with the remote key fob or central locking switch.

2. Remove the driver's side door panel per Repair Instruction RA 51 41 000.

3. Remove the window frame trim panel, which covers the mirror connection, per Repair Instruction RA 51 32 160.

GRUSB5108-29



4. Unplug the connector from the mirror.

5. Inspect the connector for any damaged or poorly fitting terminals.

6. If any damage is found, repair or replace the connector and/or terminals.

7. Remove the terminals one by one, and clean thoroughly with electrical contact cleaner.

8. Apply a small amount of dielectric grease to the contact side of the connector.

9. Reinstall the connector.

10. Attempt to reproduce the customer complaint again to determine whether the problem has been resolved.

11. If the problem has not been eliminated, continue with the following procedure.

12. Inspect the connector at the door switch block to check for damaged or poorly fitting terminals which lead to the mirror, as well as those leading to the FRM. These are pins 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, and 12.

13. If any damage is found, repair or replace the connector and/or terminals.

14. Remove the terminals one by one, and clean thoroughly with electrical contact cleaner.

15. Apply a small amount of dielectric grease to the contact side of the connector.

16. Reinstall the connector.

17. Attempt to reproduce the customer complaint again to determine whether the problem has been addressed.

18. If the problem persists, remove the mirror cap per Repair Instruction RA 51 16 040.

19. Inspect the wiring of the mirror electronics for damage or poor connections.

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20. Unplug the mirror electronics (1) and clean the connection (2) on the back side with electrical contact cleaner.

21. Attempt to reproduce the customer complaint again to determine whether the problem has been addressed.

22. If the problem persists, replace the mirror electronics for the driver's side mirror for vehicles not equipped with auto dimming/power fold mirrors (SA430), or the complete mirror for those equipped with auto dimming/power fold mirrors.

PARTS INFORMATION
Part Number
Description
Quantity
Locally sourced
Electrical contact cleaner
1
83 23 0 149 149
Dielectric grease
1
67 13 6 972 536
Mirror electronics – driver's side with SA459
1 – if necessary
51 16 7 189 977
Mirror – complete driver's side with SA430
1 – if necessary
WARRANTY INFORMATION
Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

Defect Code:
51 16 36 41 00


Labor Operation:
Labor Allowance:
Description:
51 41 000*
Refer to KSD
R&I door trim panel for left or right front door

+51 16 540
Refer to KSD
R&I mirror cover for left or right front door – if
necessary

51 99 000
Work Time
Work time for testing and cleaning connections.
*Main Work - use this labor operation number when this is the only repair being performed, or if this is the main repair when performed along with other repairs at the same time. If this is not the main repair, refer to KSD for the associated (+) labor operation code.
Sublet Code 4**
$2.00
** Reimbursement of up to the amount listed may be charged to sublet code 4 for the Contact cleaner and Dielectric grease required to perform this repair. Claiming this part number outside of sublet code 4 will result in a delayed or denied claim payment.
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