Does anyone know how to disassemble the rear view mirror to inspect the PCB inside?

Pete07877

Pete07877

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Jul 28, 2020
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I'm trying to check all possible causes of my remote key not syncing. I am told the PCB for the remote locking is inside the mirror?
I have the mirror removed from the car and I can see the PCB inside through the hole in the bottom of the mirror but I can't see how to take apart the mirror to look at the insides.
I tried guitar pick around the joint but it doesn't seem willing to separate and I don't want to force it and break it
IMG_20200806_114612.webp
IMG_20200806_114645_1.webp
 
Update: I got it apart without breaking anything, guitar pick and a bit of force did the trick.

Visibly the PCB and connections all looked fine except for a couple of minor concerns. Some corrosion on a particular component and another component soldered in at a jaunty angle but they looked like they should be okay.

I sprayed with some electrical contact cleaner and reassembled the electrics (minus the mirror front) and fitted back to the car.
Retried the key sync procedure. - Still no sync.

Is it possible to check the wiring coming from the roof with a multi meter?IMG_20200806_141252.webp IMG_20200806_141619_1.webp IMG_20200806_144421.webp IMG_20200806_141936.webp
 
Do you have at least 1 key that is operating the door locks remotely? If so I wouldn't have thought it was the mirror or wiring which will go back to the body control module behind the glovebox.

However rear view mirrors and that module (ZKE) are both cheap to buy secondhand and easy enough to try out with no coding required. In fact I have both if you wanted to try that.

Yes you could check for continuity with a multimeter but you'd have to study a wiring diagram. They will end up in the ZKE so you'd have to identify the pins on the plug.

Have you tried syncing your key to someone else's car? And presumably you tried putting a new battery in the key?

I also have PCBs available if you wanted to try swapping the board out. The PCBs are not car specific. The transponders inside are but they are separate to the PCB.
 
mrscalex said:
Do you have at least 1 key that is operating the door locks remotely? If so I wouldn't have thought it was the mirror or wiring which will go back to the body control module behind the glovebox.
I'm afraid this is my only key.

However rear view mirrors and that module (ZKE) are both cheap to buy secondhand and easy enough to try out with no coding required. In fact I have both if you wanted to try that.

Yes you could check for continuity with a multimeter but you'd have to study a wiring diagram. They will end up in the ZKE so you'd have to identify the pins on the plug.

Have you tried syncing your key to someone else's car? And presumably you tried putting a new battery in the key?
Other car, no. New battery, yes.

I also have PCBs available if you wanted to try swapping the board out. The PCBs are not car specific. The transponders inside are but they are separate to the PCB.
That might be worth trying. How much for a pcb mate?
Click to expand...
 
I take that during your diagnostic journey, you have checked that the central locking works correctly?
 
I would say if you have access to another Z3 with a working remote key you can definitely swap the rear view mirror put the one of the donor car and use that remote donor key to open your car! I tested this many times and it works ! did this to swap my US spec car to work with UK spec remotes (different frequencies). if that swap works when you do it with a know working donor car (from one of our resident breakers maybe) then all you need to do is leave the donor mirror there open your car key and swap the innards of the remote with the ones of the donor key and voila !
 
Mario said:
I would say if you have access to another Z3 with a working remote key you can definitely swap the rear view mirror put the one of the donor car and use that remote donor key to open your car! I tested this many times and it works ! did this to swap my US spec car to work with UK spec remotes (different frequencies). if that swap works when you do it with a know working donor car (from one of our resident breakers maybe) then all you need to do is leave the donor mirror there open your car key and swap the innards of the remote with the ones of the donor key and voila !
Click to expand...

Unfortunately I don't now anyone else with a z3
 
If you are interested I am sure some of the resident breakers can provide the parts.
 
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