Power folding mirror update (not a good result)

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

svfetter

Full Access Members
Joined
Jul 12, 2012
Posts
139
Reaction score
10
Location
Louisville, KY
Anyone purchase the Kool Vue mirrors. They look pretty good but are packed terrible. One was damaged and was replaced. The way they are packed it is a wonder any of them get anywhere in one piece. Made in Taiwan.

So I did the research and found that you should be able to purchase a ford special relay that was used a few years ago on trucks along with the door switch for the folding units. Everything pointed to successful install on a 2011 XLT which did not come with these mirrors.

I set up all my wiring as instructed in the diagrams using the new door switch as the trigger. No matter what I did I could not get the mirror to fold. Even tried to put a straight 12 volts with ground to the mirrors and nothing. Everything else seemed to be good as far as function. ( or so I thought) After giving up for the day and leaving the one new drivers side mirror installed, I was going to do some more research to see if I missed something or had 2 bad mirrors.

Upon buttoning everything back up, I noticed that the new mirror only adjusted in 2 directions instead of 4. So I stripped the door panel once more and plugged my original mirror back in and it worked fine. At that point I am done with trying to do this upgrade. First a damaged mirror from a company that does not care if they survive shipping or not, and now a defective function on the other one. So much for the Passed QC sticker. Both of these are headed back to the seller.

I guess it is possible I got 2 bad power fold units but just don't know. Very disappointing to spend several hours running wires and accomplish nothing.

Just thought I would pass along the experience. Can't recommend Kool Vue mirrors and I am not going to spend almost 500 each for mirrors from ford.
 
Last edited:

drokmofo

Full Access Members
Joined
Jul 20, 2014
Posts
158
Reaction score
23
Location
southern az
I replaced my passenger side p/f mirror with 1 from kool vue and it is great. Easy install, no problems. Sorry it didnt work out for you.
 

Dannyboy11222

Full Access Members
Joined
May 5, 2014
Posts
60
Reaction score
21
Location
Brooklyn
So! you want to know how to do it? All you have to do is swap pin 6 to pin 5 then tap pin 5 to pin 4 on both mirrors wire harness n that's it, left,right,up,Down will work like its suppost too, for your power folding issues! You wired it wrong! For anyone that wants to add powerfold turn signals on their exp, take a look at my forum at ford-truck.com
 
OP
OP
S

svfetter

Full Access Members
Joined
Jul 12, 2012
Posts
139
Reaction score
10
Location
Louisville, KY
So! you want to know how to do it? All you have to do is swap pin 6 to pin 5 then tap pin 5 to pin 4 on both mirrors wire harness n that's it, left,right,up,Down will work like its suppost too, for your power folding issues! You wired it wrong! For anyone that wants to add powerfold turn signals on their exp, take a look at my forum at ford-truck.com


I am very happy that you were able to complete the modification on your Expedition. I do not know whether there is a difference between my 2011 wiring and your 2013 wiring or not. When I wired my relay exactly like you did in your hand written diagram, every time you would activate the fold button on the door it would blow a fuse.

Interacting with others on these forums, I believe we determined that because I did not actually cut and isolate the associated wires in the existing truck harness it was probably creating a short when trying to activate. I was not comfortable hacking into the Ford Harness. That plus having a lot of problems with Kool vue mirror quality and damage in shipping, I just determined it was not worth it.

Congratulations.
 
Top