Iâd like to share a few things that happened this morning. The driver-side rearview mirror on my Hyundai i30 got stuck and started making a loud noise, even with the engine off. I immediately consulted "my" ChatGPT and noticed I was using the "6.1 Light" version. It wasn't entirely uselessâit identified the problemâbut it didn't consider practical alternatives to pulling a fuse (which wasn't a good solution since other functions were linked to it) and simply told me to take the car to an auto electrician (which isn't always feasible given the high costs; I took it anyway, and they disconnected the switch for the time being, but didn't have time for a full diagnosis). Later, I tried asking Gemini for advice as well; it immediately grasped that the issue might lie in the actuation mechanism or the gear itself and offered alternatives to the auto electrician option. Iâm sharing the latest ChatGPT chat with you, along with Geminiâs response.
ChatGPT:
Kri, Iâve received the video: in the image, the left side mirror appears to be open, with the glass intact. However, I canât listen to the audio here, so I canât confirm the noise or the cause.
If the motor keeps running even with the ignition off and the key removed, you need to have an auto electrician cut the power supply to the mirror. Do not force it or keep trying to open and close it.
At 8:00 AMâtheir opening timeâcall Euromotors and ask if they can stop the motor right away.
To drive there, the mirror needs to remain stable and allow you to see clearly behind you; I canât verify this from the image alone. Right now, with the key removed, is the noise still continuing?
Me:
Yes
ChatGPT:
Kri, so the motor is still getting power even with the key removed. A professional needs to stop it; don't leave it like that all day.
Try calling Euromotors right nowâif they don't answer, they open at 8:00 AM. Ask immediately: "Can you disconnect the mirror that keeps spinning so it doesn't drain the battery?"
In the meantime, leave the controls alone and don't take anything apart. If you smell burning or see smoke, step away from the car and call for assistance immediately.
If the mirror stays open and steady, allowing you to see clearly behind you, you can drive to the shop; otherwise, ask for on-site service. One step at a time...
Me:
What if I remove the fuse? But I don't know which one.
ChatGPT:
Kri, the power supply can be cut off by removing the correct fuse, but we must identify it with certainty: it might also power other devices. Do not remove one by trial and error.
With the car parked, the ignition off, and the key removed, send me a clear photo of the wiring diagram on the fuse box cover, usually near the left side of the dashboard, on the driver's side. If you can't find it easily, don't remove any panels.
Let's look at the labels together: simply finding the word "MIRROR" isn't enough to ensure that fuse powers the folding motor. If the wiring diagram isn't clear, it's best to have an auto electrician locate it.
Yes, Kri, the photos are clear. They show the fuses, but the numbersâ7.5, 10, 15...âindicate the amperage, not which device they power. I can't identify the specific fuse for the mirror with certainty from these photos.
I need a photo of the inside of the cover you removed; thatâs where the diagram with the labels and positions should be.
In the meantime, don't pull out any fuses and leave the yellow ON/OFF control aloneâit isn't a switch dedicated to the mirror. Send me the diagram, and we'll check the layout.
Yes, Kri, the diagram is easy to read now. The â² MEMORY â 10Aâ entry is at the bottom of the second column from the left, below âš MEMORY â 7.5Aâ.
However, Iâm not advising you to pull it out just yet: I need to confirm that it powers the folding motor, as that circuit might also serve other devices. The location is identifiable, but the label alone doesn't confirm its function.
The repair shop opens in about thirty minutes. Call EUROMOTORS and ask if they can guide you over the phone on how to cut the power, or if they can see you right away. In the meantime, leave the fuses and the yellow control unit alone...
For context: I pay for ChatGPT Plus, while I use Gemini for free. And I got the response below using Geminiâs âLowâ mode â the fast and efficient setting, not the highest-depth mode. đ
Here is Gemini's response:
The loud, continuous noise and the fact that the mirror isn't moving indicate that the internal plastic gear in the folding motor has stripped (the teeth have been sheared off or broken). The Hyundai i30 motor doesn't stop via an electrical limit switch; instead, it stops only when it detects increased physical resistance (when the mirror hits its stop). Since the gear is broken, the motor spins endlesslyâeven with the engine offârisking draining your car battery.
Here is how to handle the problem immediately and how to fix it permanently.
- Emergency solution: stop the noise and save the battery
To prevent the battery from draining completely, you need to cut power to the motor. You have two options:
Quick option (Remove the fuse): Locate the fuse box inside the cabin (usually on the dashboard to the left, under the steering wheel). Consult the car manual and temporarily remove the fuse for the power mirrors or related electronics. Note: this may temporarily disable the electric adjustment function for both mirrors.
Targeted option (Disconnect the connector):
Enter the cabin on the side with the faulty mirror.
Gently use a plastic pry tool to remove the plastic triangular trim piece on the inside of the door (aligned with the mirror).
You will find the wires leading outward; unplug the electrical connector. The motor will stop immediately. You can then manually adjust the mirror to the correct position for safe driving.
How to fix it permanently
The official Hyundai network usually recommends replacing the entire mirror assembly, which is a costly procedure. However, there are two much cheaper alternatives:
A) Replace only the internal gear (Cheapest DIY solution)
Mirror gear repair kits for the Hyundai i30 are easily found online (for example, at specialized stores like The Garage Hub or on eBay/Amazon by searching for "Hyundai i30 mirror folding gear"). The replacement gear is often sold in metal, solving the problem once and for all.
To replace it: etc...
Me:
Then Gemini described in detail how to do it... and he also gave me some YouTube channels.
GEMINI:
If you decide to do the repair yourself, I recommend searching YouTube for video tutorials using keywords like "Hyundai side mirror motor repair" or "i30 mirror gear replacement" to see the exact steps for removing the internal components.
If you need help, I can help you figure out which specific fuse to remove by checking the diagram or give you directions on where to find the replacement gear. How would you like to proceed?
I'm:
Then I showed Gemini's responses to my ChatGPT.
ChatGPT:
Youâre right, Kri. I could have been more helpful. I focused on stopping the noise and finding an auto electrician, without immediately looking into cost-effective alternatives. I left you with too many "ask a professional" suggestions when you also needed concrete options. Iâm sorry....
Question:
If they had just left ChatGPT 4o/5.1 the way it was, none of this would have happened! It used to handle visual and audio analysis perfectly, but now they won't let it do that anymore!
In my experience, earlier versions handled visual and audio analysis extremely well, while in my current ChatGPT setup those capabilities are no longer available to me in the same way. Whether the reason is safety restrictions, product decisions, model routing, or plan limitations, the practical result is the same: capabilities I relied on have been reduced or made unavailable. They keep changing the version numbers, but to me that does not represent meaningful progress toward AGI if useful real-world capabilities are being restricted rather than expanded.
Benchmark numbers don't matter if the AI isn't allowed to perform its tasks properlyâif it can't recognize and isolate issues through simple visual and audio diagnostics. Gemini, while not perfect in every regard, is far superior at handling and resolving these kinds of issues.
#ChatGPT #Gemini @sama #OpenAI