JDM Power Folding Mirrors break down
Posted: September 13th, 2007, 5:28 pm
I'm not sure how much help this will be since I don't know how many more people own these for their mx-3's. 
Anyways maybe you've just been curious how it works... so here we go!
I have 3 sets of JDM Power Folding Mirrors that work on the mx-3:
• First set is a set from a JDM mx-6 that I converted to work on an mx-3. These also have a mirror heating function for those frosty days. On some years of the mx-6 they had the same outer shell as the mx-3 it is just the base that has to be converted. The switch that came with it is for the 94+ interior of the mx-3.
• Second set is an actual mx-3 set from a JDM mx-3. These are direct fit and very easy to wire up to work.
• Third set is from a JDM 323. These require a lot of work to convert and I'm still not happy with how they turned out. The interior piece is made of metal not plastic.
• Fourth set was Barry's set. I say was because I was going to try and fix his but they were stolen out of my car randomly
but I have pics of them. His left side mirror was a completely different design and motor than any of the other sets which I thought was strange.
Here we have barry's unusual left side motor:
compared to a regular mx-3 version:
This is the 323 motor (in the forefront) compared to the mx-3. There's not much difference except for the bracket and some subtle changes with how the motor is screwed down:
This is a stock mirror compared to a power folding version:
This is a breakdown of a stock mirror's coil:
And underneath this metal piece pivots on 3 little ball bearings. This is the reason I am unable to adjust the power folding mirrors. They can only move where the indentions are in the metal.
Now notice the breakdown of the power folding mirror. I was afraid to try and separate the gear and coil not knowing if it could be put back together. also see inside where the motor goes over the gear:
Notice underneath the metal the difference Barry's vs Mark's mx-3:
During my breakdowns of the mirrors I discovered there are different strengths in the mirrors for both left and right side mirrors. From Japan they have R100 mirrors on both sides which are very wide angle. The left mirror I got from the UK has R125 which is the same strength as the US right side mirror. Also notice that the mirror with the wires coming out is the heated mx-6 one. I also noticed that only the North American version was labeled with "objects in mirror are closer than they appear" and none of the JDM or UK ones have that label.
All North American mx-3's left side mirrors are fitted with a 'flat' DB18 mirror which is the close up version, and the right side with R125.
Now I had to do a lot of fitting to make the 323 brackets fit inside the mx-3 shell. If I can find a way to separate the coil and gear I could've used an mx-3 bracket. Anyways I had to cut the bracket then drill new holes. the only problem is that the holes are not flush with the original holes so the shell is just a tad wobbly. If anything hit the mirror I am sure it would break.
the base also needs to be dremeled out since the metal piece on the bottom of the 323's is much bigger:
The 94+ switch:
The 92 switch:
Anyways maybe you've just been curious how it works... so here we go!I have 3 sets of JDM Power Folding Mirrors that work on the mx-3:
• First set is a set from a JDM mx-6 that I converted to work on an mx-3. These also have a mirror heating function for those frosty days. On some years of the mx-6 they had the same outer shell as the mx-3 it is just the base that has to be converted. The switch that came with it is for the 94+ interior of the mx-3.
• Second set is an actual mx-3 set from a JDM mx-3. These are direct fit and very easy to wire up to work.
• Third set is from a JDM 323. These require a lot of work to convert and I'm still not happy with how they turned out. The interior piece is made of metal not plastic.
• Fourth set was Barry's set. I say was because I was going to try and fix his but they were stolen out of my car randomly
but I have pics of them. His left side mirror was a completely different design and motor than any of the other sets which I thought was strange.Here we have barry's unusual left side motor:
compared to a regular mx-3 version:
This is the 323 motor (in the forefront) compared to the mx-3. There's not much difference except for the bracket and some subtle changes with how the motor is screwed down:
This is a stock mirror compared to a power folding version:
This is a breakdown of a stock mirror's coil:
And underneath this metal piece pivots on 3 little ball bearings. This is the reason I am unable to adjust the power folding mirrors. They can only move where the indentions are in the metal.
Now notice the breakdown of the power folding mirror. I was afraid to try and separate the gear and coil not knowing if it could be put back together. also see inside where the motor goes over the gear:
Notice underneath the metal the difference Barry's vs Mark's mx-3:
During my breakdowns of the mirrors I discovered there are different strengths in the mirrors for both left and right side mirrors. From Japan they have R100 mirrors on both sides which are very wide angle. The left mirror I got from the UK has R125 which is the same strength as the US right side mirror. Also notice that the mirror with the wires coming out is the heated mx-6 one. I also noticed that only the North American version was labeled with "objects in mirror are closer than they appear" and none of the JDM or UK ones have that label.
All North American mx-3's left side mirrors are fitted with a 'flat' DB18 mirror which is the close up version, and the right side with R125.
Now I had to do a lot of fitting to make the 323 brackets fit inside the mx-3 shell. If I can find a way to separate the coil and gear I could've used an mx-3 bracket. Anyways I had to cut the bracket then drill new holes. the only problem is that the holes are not flush with the original holes so the shell is just a tad wobbly. If anything hit the mirror I am sure it would break.
the base also needs to be dremeled out since the metal piece on the bottom of the 323's is much bigger:
The 94+ switch:
The 92 switch:
It's really simple if you don't use a relay LOL 
