WowGuyZ06

Yellowish, like it is permanently dimmed. Looks like a little spot of some sort of delaminating on the top there as well...Rearview and passenger side mirror are both clear as day. Previous owner said he noticed it after it was outside all day at a car show.



Thanks all

Ragresen

You likely have the Chromatic mirrors which are supposed to dim up in light. What has happened is the stuff that causes this to happen has failed and this mirror will only get worse to the point you may not be able to see anything in it at all.

bmg

I was wondering the same thing and Rag is right, it does get worse. I will snap a picture of mine and post it over the weekend.

Gear Jammer

Mine is the same (03Z).

I did research this, if you have memory package (DD0), the drivers-side replacement mirror (I believe) is 12455610. Pricey tho.

I wonder if theres enough of us with this problem to get a GP?

bmg

From the GMpartshouse site

Part Number: 12455610 List Price Core Price Your Price
Door - Outside mirrors - Mirror glass Mirror glass Left 2003 - 2006
List $261.02
Core $0.00
Your price $200.20

For $200, I don't need a mirror that bad!

I looked for the glass for my 01 to see if there was a difference, mine is only $67. I wonder what is different between the two?

Collision Catalog - 2001 - Chevrolet/Geo - Corvette
Door, Outside mirrors, Mirror glass, Mirror glass Left
MSRP $88.64
Core $0.00
Your Price $67.99

WowGuyZ06

Does your 01 have the memory package? Maybe that's why ours is more expensive. But yea, like you said, for 200 dollars who cares, unless it gets horrible. 200 dollars could be better spent elsewhere on the car.

NerdsRule

same thing on my 01 z06. My Mirror looks like crap.

99MALLETT396

Mine is doing the same too, 04Z. Wonder what causes the failure.

TS Motorsport

I have the same failure. So if I purchase a new one, there is no protection against this happening again.

hotwheels57

Probably exposure to UV rays...

bmg

This was one of the first things that crossed my mind....but

How come only the driver's mirror is affected on most of our cars? If one mirror is getting UV ray exposure surely the other side is too at close to the same rate?

Z06_BluByU

had the same thing happen and did a little digging around/talking with folks etc.. it turns out there is a liquid in the mirror that is supposed to be sealed which somehow dim's the mirror when an electric current is applied to it..

the seal ruptures over time and causes that problem.. it slowly gets worse.. the big problem besides the fact is looks like crap and you are constantly reminded of it while you drive.. is that the gel/fluid eats paint.. so if it leaks and ends up on your door supposedly it can eat your paint.. if your not concerned about the auto dimming feature the replacement stock std c5 mirror is +/- 90 bucks.. the electrochromatic is +/- $370 (depending on your supplier).

if you dont want to shell out for the pricey mirror (which is what i ended up doing.. keeping it original) than it might not be a bad idea to replace it with the stock one.. also another good spot to get them is when someone wrecks a z06 in the parts section.. but get teh whole assembly as they will bugger it up taking it off of the mirror motor (guess it needs some kind of special tool).

zeevette

Probably because the pass. side is a standard mirror.

Z06_BluByU

nope.. the pass side is also elctrochromatic.. its not UV rays that kill it.. the seal fails (pops) like an insulated window.. (similar).. it happens more on the driver door than passenger because the door is used more.. more vibration/abuse is my GUESS.

99MALLETT396

My car only the driver side and the inside are elctrochromatic pass is a normal one.

WowGuyZ06

Hmm. That's exactly what that top area looks like. Some sort of fluid that has leaked inside the mirror or something. Weird. I might look into getting a regular mirror. How hard is it to replace just the glass?

CarBoy

Wow
And to think I sold one for $50
I should have kept the damn thing.

Litz

Yep - Mine has done the same thing - just the driver's side. I had to replace my passenger side mirror ( the entire assembly) 2 years ago after I clipped it pretty good backing out of the garage! During that replacement I inspected the glass-only replacement - the mirror glass was connected via a couple of pop-on sockets and was real easy to replace. I would suspect the drivers side is the same. I guess I'm going to look into installing standard glass. Mine is getting so dark now that It's not going to be usable soon.

Litz

I've gone ahead and ordered a turn signal glass kit to replace both of my outside mirrors. The manufacturer is Muth - http://www.kwmuth.com/products/kits/220-0190.htm and this web site also has a very nice install manual for the corvette, including very good photos, in pdf format. This manual will show you how to remove the existing mirror glass and replace with the new glass of your choice. Good Luck!

Litz

WowGuyZ06

I am going to have to do this...the mirror has been the same
since I bought the car and now after I post this thread, it has gotten progressively worse. It has also not been able to sleep in the garage all weekend, that has probably been the main factor. Looks like I'll be ordering a stock mirror glass to replace.