Power Mirror Motor

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the power mirror motor on a 2009 Aston Martin DB9, requiring door trim panel removal to access the mirror assembly.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Power mirror motor assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification - verify left or right side

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake.
2. Disconnect battery negative terminal using 10mm socket and secure cable away from battery post.
3. Wait 2 minutes after battery disconnection to allow airbag system capacitors to discharge.
4. Open the door completely and support with door stay to prevent movement during work.
5. Lower window completely to provide clearance and prevent glass interference.

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove door pull handle trim
   Locate the door pull handle assembly on the armrest. Using a plastic trim tool, carefully pry at the rear edge of the pull handle trim piece to release the retaining clips. Lift the trim piece away from the door panel. This will expose fasteners for the main door panel.
2. 2

   Remove door panel fasteners
   Remove the Torx fasteners securing the door panel. Remove the Torx fasteners securing the door panel. Verify the exact fastener count, Torx sizes, and specific locations against Aston Martin factory documentation for the 2009 DB9 before removal. Store fasteners in magnetic tray. Store fasteners in magnetic tray.
3. 3

   Release door panel clips and remove
   With fasteners removed, grasp the door panel firmly at the bottom edge and pull straight outward to disengage the retaining clips around the perimeter. Work progressively from bottom to top. Once clips are released, lift the panel upward slightly to clear the window sill and door lock striker area, then pull away from door frame. Support the panel as you disconnect electrical connectors.
4. 4

   Disconnect door panel electrical connectors
   Locate the electrical connectors on the back of the door panel for the power window switch pack, door lock switch, and ambient lighting (if equipped). Press the release tabs on each connector and carefully pull straight apart. Some connectors may have sliding locks that must be moved before the release tab is accessible. Set door panel aside in safe location to prevent scratching.
5. 5

   Remove vapor barrier access
   Locate the plastic vapor barrier covering the inner door structure. Verify the correct mirror actuator service path against factory documentation; on the DB9 the mirror motor/actuator is accessed from the exterior by carefully releasing and removing the mirror glass from its backing plate, then accessing the actuator behind the glass — NOT through the inner door cavity; verify the correct service path against Aston Martin factory documentation before proceeding. Carefully peel back or remove only the necessary portion of the vapor barrier to access the mirror mounting area. If secured with adhesive, work slowly to avoid tearing. On some variants, there may be a separate access panel rather than a full barrier that must be removed.
6. 6

   Disconnect mirror electrical connector
   Reach into the door cavity and locate the electrical connector for the mirror assembly near the upper front corner. The connector will be a multi-pin type secured with a locking tab or slide lock. Release the locking mechanism and pull connector apart. Note connector orientation for reinstallation.
7. 7

   Remove mirror assembly mounting fasteners
   Locate the Torx fasteners securing the mirror assembly to the door. Verify the exact fastener count, size, and access location (interior door cavity versus exterior) against Aston Martin factory documentation before removing. Support the mirror from outside the door while removing the final fastener to prevent it from falling. Support the mirror from outside the door while removing the final fastener to prevent it from falling.
8. 8

   Remove mirror assembly from door
   With fasteners removed and electrical connector disconnected, carefully lift the mirror assembly away from the door. Guide the wiring harness through the door cavity opening as you remove the mirror. Place mirror assembly on clean, protected work surface with mirror glass facing upward.
9. 9

   Separate mirror motor from housing
   Place the mirror assembly face-down on a padded surface. Locate the fasteners securing the mirror motor to the back of the mirror housing. Remove the small Torx fasteners securing the motor/actuator assembly, verifying the exact count and size against factory documentation; note that on many mirrors the actuator may not be available as a separate serviceable part. Disconnect any internal electrical connections between the motor and the mirror heater or other components. Carefully separate the motor from the housing, noting the orientation of drive gears and adjustment mechanism.
10. 10

    Install new mirror motor
    Position the new mirror motor in the housing, aligning the drive gears with the mirror adjustment mechanism. Ensure any internal electrical connections are properly seated. Install the Torx fasteners securing the motor to the housing and tighten securely but do not overtighten as you are threading into plastic housing. Verify the mirror glass moves freely through its full range of adjustment before proceeding.
11. 11

    Reinstall mirror assembly to door
    Guide the mirror wiring harness through the door cavity opening. Position the mirror assembly against the door mounting surface, aligning the mounting holes. Install the 3 mounting fasteners and tighten securely with T30 Torx driver. Reconnect the electrical connector, ensuring the locking tab fully engages.
12. 12

    Restore vapor barrier and test mirror operation
    Reposition the vapor barrier or access panel, pressing firmly to reseal adhesive areas. Temporarily reconnect the battery negative terminal using 10mm socket and tighten securely to manufacturer-specified torque (verify in factory documentation). Turn ignition to accessory position and test mirror motor operation in all directions (up, down, left, right) and verify fold function if equipped. Once verified, disconnect battery again for door panel reinstallation. Note: Temporarily reconnect the battery negative terminal using 10mm socket and tighten to the manufacturer-specified torque (verify in service data). Note: Temporarily reconnect the battery negative terminal using 10mm socket and tighten securely to manufacturer specification (verify torque in factory documentation).
    Torque spec

    Battery Terminal Bolts6 Nm (4 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reinstall door panel
    Reconnect all electrical connectors to the back of the door panel (window switch, lock switch, ambient lighting). Position the door panel at the top of the door frame, hooking it over the window sill area, then lower into position. Press firmly around the perimeter to engage all retaining clips. Install the Torx fasteners in reverse order of removal. Reinstall the door pull handle trim piece by pressing until clips engage.
14. 14

    Final battery connection and system check
    Reconnect the battery negative terminal and tighten to the manufacturer-specified torque using 10mm socket (verify in service data). Turn ignition to accessory position and verify all door panel switches function correctly. Test mirror adjustment in all directions and verify memory position recall if equipped, performing any required memory/module reinitialization per service data after battery reconnection. Check for any unusual noise during mirror operation. Note: Reconnect the battery negative terminal and tighten securely to manufacturer-specified torque using 10mm socket (verify in factory documentation). Note: Reconnect the battery negative terminal and tighten securely to manufacturer specification (verify torque in factory documentation) using 10mm socket.
    Torque spec

    Battery Terminal Bolts6 Nm (4 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Ensure all electrical connectors are fully seated with locking tabs engaged before reinstalling door panel.
2. Press door panel clips firmly and evenly around entire perimeter to prevent rattles.
3. Verify vapor barrier is properly sealed to prevent water intrusion into door cavity.
4. Do not overtighten plastic mirror housing fasteners as threads can strip easily.

Verification

• Test mirror adjustment in all four directions (up, down, left, right) from driver's seat controls.
• If equipped, verify mirror fold function operates smoothly without binding.
• Test memory position recall if vehicle is equipped with this feature.
• Check for proper operation of all door panel switches (windows, locks, mirror adjustment).
• Inspect door panel fitment for even gaps and proper clip engagement around perimeter.
• Listen for any unusual noise during mirror operation that would indicate improper motor installation or gear alignment.

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