[kuba]

Hello,
My name is Kuba, I have an Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce 1991 (it's my wife's car and she has it since 1992). The car is in a pretty good condition (it is our secondary car), but it has a few minor defects. One of them is electric mirrors which don't work for last 5 or 6 years. I decided to take care of them now. I have managed to take the glass without breaking it, but I think that the electric motor might be dead. I checked the white plastic socket which has three slots and the middle one is "positive", so I am assuming that it is an mirror problem with itself. Is there a way to check if the electric motor is truly broken? and if it is, is there a way to fix it? I am not a car mechanic, but I am pretty handy and with some help and knowledge I can fix things.
Thanks guys!

 

[Gubi]

If they both don't work, I'd start by focusing on the switch or the power feed to the switch.

The switch can get gunked up internally and stop working. It's reasonably easy to disassemble but there are a lot of tiny parts inside: be sure to open it up in a plastic bag or something so you don't lose the springs.

 

[kuba]

Thank you so much for a quick response Gubi. I should check that first! I will let you know later if that was the problem

 

[goats]

apply 12 volts to each motor and see if they turn. Middle gets one side of 12 v and outer gets the other side -- polarity doesn't matter. can you spin the leadscrew by hand/ is it free to rotate?

 

[kuba]

Hi Goats, Thanks for your reply. Can you tell me how to apply 12 volts to the motors? I am not good with electric stuff (but I learn quickly) I have a continuity tester, should I use it when checking?
Thanks!

 

[goats]

In this case lets not do this. I don't know if these are 12V motors yet, Try turning the lead screw by hand, it should turn easily

 

[kuba]

Thanks. I believe they are 12V (Aslong high quality fk 130rh brush motor dc motor 12V Speed 7200r/min free shipping -inOther Electronic Components from Electronic Components & Supplies on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group
But I will try to turn the lead screw first. Just to be sure: is it this one?

 

[goats]

yes that's it. should turn easily and the gears with it. if not then clean it up real good, relube it with lubriplate or other white grease, and try again

 

[kuba]

Thanks, I will do that.
Lets say it's clean and it turns easily, should I check it connecting to the car battery? ( plus to the middle and minus to each outer one)?

 

[kuba]

Ok. I have cleaned it. I hooked it up to the plug, but nothing is moving or even buzzing. I would like to check the motor now before I start messing with the "controller":

 

[goats]

does the leadscrew turn easily? Hook up the motor as you noted above to a battery and see what happens- if it doesn't turn then switch the battery leads and see what happens.

 

[kuba]

yes. it turns easily (when is unassembled). I put back together and it didn't work when connected to the white socket in the mirror. I am going to connect it straight to the battery and we will see.
Thanks!

 

[goats]

make sure that ALL the gears turn easily when you have the motor in the assembly when you turn the leadscrew.

 

[kuba]

yes, I did. I have connected to the battery and the motor works fine. I suspect the controller. I have checked the controller by using the continuity tester and one of the connector gives a weak light (the socket number 4). It might be normal, I am not sure. But maybe the controller is broken inside.
Anyway, I can't believe I did some progress! Thanks to you guys!

 

[kuba]

Hi Tom,
You have mention that it's relatively easy to open the switch. I can't find a way to open it (I called it earlier a controller). Any idea?
Thanks

 

[goats]

you can see the holes on the case where the inside 'wedges' secure the switch together. In the photo just above, the one on the right, you can see where to put a small screwdriver in (between the thin outside wall and the inside wall) on both sides where there are 4 small bumps. These are on the top and bottom in the photo above on the right. Use a small screwdriver and gently pry the outside away from the inside , about an 1/8 of an inch, once the wedges are free the inside will pull out.

PS the switch (slides left or right) has to be pushed left or right for the mirror to work. Unless you have the slider switch over to the driver mirror the driver mirror motor wont run.......

 

[kuba]

Ok. Thanks. It didn't look like it could be open. I will try it right away!
And yes, right, I know about the switch below (left or right position). Thank you.

 

[kuba]

Ok, thanks! I have opened it! It sure is rusted in side! I will clean it now. I will post the progress later!
Thanks!

 

[kuba]

Hello, back to the mirrors.
The switch is clean. But it still doesn't work I noticed that one of the connections (picture) gives very very weak light. I am not sure if it has anything to do, but want to mention it just in case.
Thanks

 

[kuba]

Hello,
I found out that the motor is fine and it works (I only have cleaned and checked the driver's one). The problem is when I am adjusting it, and turn the joystick to the right, the fuse blows out. I don't know if the switch causes that or something else. At this point it might be too difficult for me to find the cause, I am not sure if I should continue … :/
Thanks guys for your help!!