Power Folding Mirrors: Winter On/Off switch

I have been concerned about freezing rain and such having an adverse effect on my KTJO 4X4 kit. Luckily, we had a relatively mild winter last year. There is a fuse in the wire harness, that can be pulled to disable the folding feature. But I have been searching for a way to disable the folding feature of the mirrors in the wintertime, without having to pull the door panel or power window panel every winter, and then again, every Spring to reactivate the feature.

I decided on a switch to go in line with the fuse. It essentially lets you cut power to the module that controls the folding mirror. IMPORTANT: This does not affect the other features in the mirrors. BSM, defrost and mirror orientation adjustment still work. This only disables the folding feature.

I finally found a low-profile switch that had met my self-imposed criteria. I found the switch at Digi key. There are 3 version available without illumination. One with no markings, one with digital on and off markings, and one with a small dot to represent on. I elected to use the plain black switch, no markings. This is shipped from the manufacturer direct, not from Digi key. The shipping charges were high, but it is what I wanted and the only place I could find it, so I paid it. In fact, the shipping was high enough that I bought a few extra, in hopes I could find use for them at a later date and distribute the costs over a few projects. (5 switches plus shipping and tax ended up at $22.95)

 

I originally wanted to place the switch in the front area of the armrest/window control panel. So, I removed the panel and turned it around to see how deep the front latch sets into the door panel. I would have to position the switch to miss this, and I didn’t like where it would have to sit, so I regrouped and elected to put it under the panel. This would require drilling a hole up from the bottom, (or down from inside if you prefer).

I used the locking ring as a guide to make sure I had enough room and cleared the external blend radius of the panel. I situated the ring where I thought it fit best. I used a white pencil to mark the area. Then I went searching my collection for a large dimeter drill bit. I ended up finding used a large masonry bit that just protrudes through the lock ring when set against it. I place the ring back over the white pencil mark and used the masonry bit to find the center. It left just enough of a dimple to start my ¾” hole saw bit.

 

I masked of the lower door panel with some blue painters’ tape. I am glad I did this, the drill chuck just burned through the tape as I finished drilling out the hole. A double layer of tape would probably have been enough. Luckily, I only just got trough the tape and made no noticeable damage to the grain. I was able to clean up the hole by hand, no need to use a swivel knife or blade.

 

At this point, I fished out the fuse holder and removed the 10A fuse. Then I followed the wire back and made a loop above the hole in the door panel. Here I cut the wire, stripped it back and attached a crimp fitting and heat shrink to each of the newly formed ends. I then put both connectors through the lock ring and down through the new hole in the door panel and attached to the switch.

 

Here I re-installed the fuse and tested the operation to make sure the mirrors folded when the switch was on and didn’t fold when the switch was off. This also let me decide which way I wanted the switch oriented when seated in the door. Everything works as desired. I pushed the switch up into the hole. The switch was snug and required a little effort to get it fully seated. I hand tightened the lock ring and used a screwdriver to get the last little turn.


Finally tucked the wires away cleanly and reattached the wire harness connectors so the power window panel. I reinstalled the panel and tested the switch in both states one last time. And all is good.

Switch On

Switch Off

Completed

 

With the switch "on", the mirrors will fold manually with the interior switch or when the doors are locked. With the switch "off", the mirrors remain stationary, but the doors will still lock and unlock as normal. NOTE: If you fold the mirrors in, (manually or with the door lock), then flip this new switch off, the mirrors will remain folded in when when you unlock the doors.

 

Cool

 

Now when you trade your truck in in x amount of years, someone is gonna think “wtf did this guy do?”

 

Probably, lol. I may remember to tell them about.

 

Great job, that was an issue I had with her mirror kit, ice storms around here freeze everything up so automatic power mirrors would be a problem.