My passenger mirror was able to tilt up and down, but not side to side. The problem I found was a result of corrosion inside one of the mirror motors (picture 1).
The side mirror first needs to be removed - it is held in by 4 clips (picture 3) and can be separated from the housing by giving a pull on the bottom of the mirror glass, then a pull from the top. After the mirror is separated, there are 4 wire clips that need to be removed. The mirror housing and the mirror motor assembly can then be removed by the visible screws. Separate the motor assembly to access the gears and 2 motors. (pictures 4 and 5). I separated the motor by drilling off the 4 metal retaining clips and used fine sandpaper (2000 grit) to clean the corroded motor commutator. I then washed the whole motor to remove the oil / melted gear grease (picture 2). I found another post (https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc4...de-mirror.html) on a different model helpful so I thought I would post my results. On a side note - My last car - a 2012 Toyota Camry, had all four doors locks - one after the other stop working and I found the problem was a corroded motor inside each of the lock assemblies.

Motor commutator is corroded and covered in oil from the melted gear grease.

Here is the motor cleaned.

4 mounting clips of the mirror

Mirror motor housing

Inside mirror motor housing

 

My Sequoia's driver's side mirror stopped side to side motion a couple of years ago but still tilts up and down. It's a 2002 so with age, I expected things to start failing. Thanks for this write up, I'll try this fix in the next week or so... I hope I don't break the mirror trying to pry it off...

 

Curious how you put the motor back together after cleaning? In my experience it's hard to get metal and plastic to bond.

 

mryeh17, I just pushed the motor back together and placed it in the housing. The housing holds the motor relatively snug (front and back) permanently bonding them isn't needed. I used just a strip of Duck Tape in the past on a door lock motor.

 

Great to hear, my passenger side mirror doesn't move up and down. I'll have to open her up and see if cleaning the motor helps.

 

Where did you buy these parts?

 

I just simply cleaned mine to get it to work again. If you wanted to replace the motor I suppose you'd have to have a motor of the same size.

 

My GS is having the exact same issue - passenger side mirror tilts up and down fine by side to side doesn’t work much. Thanks for the write up going to attempt this when it’s warmer!

 

Did you ever do it? Any success?

 

Hi, Yes. I did the repair and it worked.

 

This I like.
This is what a repair looks like, no exchange of parts.
Corrosion within the electricals is a common culprit. I’ve fixed plenty of old switches and window wiper motors like this.

Very well done!
Love seeing the few on here who dares to take things apart (not like it ever matters because it’s not working either way).

 

Thanks, I totally agree. Corrosion within electricals or simply just being dirty regarding mechanical components is usually the cause. Unless something is physically broken (and can't be repaired) I try to fix it (and learn along the way).

 

GJDM . Simply cleaning the brushes and commutator . Nice find bro.

 

To clean the grease did you use degreaser? I'd think degreaser, rinse with water, the blow dry very well before plugging back in.

 

I wouldn't use water on anything electrical. Brake cleaner is fine.