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Removing the side mirror control **** from the door switch plate
Got a replacement driver's door switch plate for my 2003 S8. The mirror control includes a "fold the mirrors in" position, which control on the new switch plate does not have. I was able to remove the **** from my original switch plate, by inserting a very small screwdriver into an indentation on the right side of the ****. But I can't get the **** on the replacement switch plate to come off the same way. I damaged the switch plate a little trying.
FYI, my original mirror switch mechanism has a grey bottom plate, and the one on the replacement switch panel has a red bottom plate.
Hole in the new switch **** - can't get to locking tab on this one.
Old switch **** showing hole used to release locking tab.
Hole in tab inside **** engages center pin of white section on switch. Note lip below white section.
Anyone know how to get the **** off of the mirror control without doing damage?
Just to be clear, the mirror switch in the replacement switch plate does not have the "fold mirrors in" feature, which is why I want to replace it with the original switch.
Well, I was hoping that someone could recommend a schmidlapwracken or elekctrickishkopfwringen device, but ended up using brute force.
After I retrieved the **** from the other side of the kitchen ( ), I found that what blocked access to the ****'s release clip also prevents the **** from turning past "L". A little trimming of the plastic under the **** on the switch, and the **** will now turn left 180 degrees - and works to control the mirror folding. Turns out the two switch types use the same internal mechanism. (See the third photo - the raised portion to the right of the white switch protrusion wrapped around the right side in the switch with the red bottom. I trimmed it to match the switch with the grey bottom.)
The catch on the **** (circled in the third picture) broke at the end, as did the clip which holds it to the switch (line to it in the third picture). I repaired the **** with a bit of JB Weld Plastic Bonder, with enough extra that it's not loose, so I think that will work. The post which makes up the clip can't be repaired, based on past experience trying to do things like this - very unlikely the repair woudl hold, and it's a tight space to work with.