Replacing a power mirror switch--am I missing something obvious

i would contact the seller. either they are incorrect, or they shipped the wrong one

 

i would contact some dealers to see if anyone stocks it

 

This is what's shown in the wiring diagram for a Gen 3 (happens to be 2010 edition I'm looking in).

Does look more like the seller's, now, doesn't it?



Hmm ... I hesitate to recommend parts.toyota.com since they've so badly fubared it recently, but 2012 was a Gen 3 mid-cycle refresh, and maybe it's worth looking ... somewhere official ... to find out if there was any change in part number for this thing.

Does yours look, on the visible side, like it would have any kind of different functionality than the one the seller sent?

According to ToyoDIY, for 2012 model year, there was a change after November 2011 build date:

Code:

84870A SWITCH ASSY, OUTER MIRROR
84870-28030 (12/2011 - )
84870-34010 (04/2009 - 11/2011)

 

You mean, why do you get a picture of an engine with knock sensors and O₂ sensors, instead of a picture of the part you're looking for?

Well, y'see, it's like this. Up until a couple weeks ago, Toyota had a parts web site that worked. Did I mention they fubared it since then?

Doesn't make me happy either.

I'm not sure about the folding button in the pictures. Here's a dealer listing where the sketch of the part does not show a folding button:

https://parts.longotoyota.com/oem-parts/toyota-mirror-switch-8487028030

(Hey! It's also a dealer that still has their own working parts web site! Lots of dealers used to, but I was starting to worry that they had all been told to use the new broken one from the mothership.)

My mirror switch (2010, the earlier style) didn't work when I bought the car. Dead as a doornail.

I opened it and carefully cleaned the contacts with GC Jiffy Bath (which I've had a can of since forever) and it's been fine ever since.

Toyota expressly says never to do that ("DO NOT attempt to repair a malfunctioning switch. Replace it. The use of any cleaning fluids may cause additional damage."), so I don't intend to blame them if my Jiffy Bath'd mirror switch conks out, and you didn't get the idea from me, whether you use the same stuff I used or try something else.

 

Rock auto has the Dorman-branded part for about $54 and they're 1000% better than eBay in terms of making sure it fits.

...i'm not saying I know for sure theirs is correct, just that I have seen them work hard to make certain their catalog is accurate and bend over backwards to support customers when there is a fitment mistake.

Edit: adding:

I looked directly into Dorman's catalog and found some interesting bits: they've got a nice interchange map including cross-applications.

However, their picture of the connector looks like this:


which isn't encouraging..

 

Here's a link to what both Rock Auto and Dorman think is the correct Dorman part: 901-729 Mirror Switch

From the photo, I see the same mismatch.

Crazy theory:

Not the first time the switch was replaced, and the previous repairer knowingly used a switch that fit the hole and then spliced on the matching pigtail from the donor car?

 

I'm scratching out my crazy theory, though it may be a useful cure for this situation.

I did more poking around. I looked at the cross-applications for the Dorman 901729, trying to work out which Toyota cars were not on it, because they might be a good bet to be the root application of the switch that was re-purposed for early-2012 Prius vs.

Best hit was the 2011 Corolla. Again, the 901729 does NOT fit this car. Then I did a fresh lookup of the mirror switch for the 2011 Corolla, and I hit the same OE part number @ChapmanF found in his post above: 84870-34010.

And to close the loop I searched both Rock Auto and Dorman for a mirror switch for the 2011 Corolla: they haven't got one.

I think if you search for the 84870-34010 or by application "2011 Corolla" you'll find the part you need. But I'm not optimistic that you'll find it any cheaper than Toyota.

 

Better parts mystery than usual, unfortunately.

If I get more time later I'll take another crack at it.

 

Yes, I think you are right. I think I pasted in the wrong number to properly compound the error.

 

My guess is that anybody whose TIS access is currently paid up could glance in the Electrical Wiring Diagram for a 2013–15 and see the picture of the connector, and it will look like the new one.

Toyota Service Information and Where To Find It | PriusChat

I wonder what will be shown in the 2012 EWD, as the change appears to have happened in the midst of that model year. I am guessing it will show both versions, with asterisk notes.

@Elektroingenieur?

 

Here I am a year to the month later on this thread with the same issue ... CarID delivered a Dorman 901-729 which doesn't fit my 2012 Prius Four, and they charged me shipping and restocking when I sent it back (CarID is in bankruptcy--I don't know if their terrible service is why they are in bankruptcy or if there terrible service is due to their bankruptcy). I still haven't found a non-Toyota replacement (my dealer wants $250). Has anyone found a replacement?

 

Is the current one still working about as well?

One option would be to wait until it gets really annoying, and then open it up and clean it.