I have a 2001 with light sensitive/memory mirror. It's the light sensitive part has went by the wayside. My question is can the glass part be replaced or does the entire mirror need replacing?

 

Here is a way to fix it like I did. Let me know if you have any questions. I bought my replacement mirror insert from Corvette Central. It has the heating element but not the auto dimming feature. Is was a perfect match. If you want to go the cheapo route can get the stick on mirrors. I did not.

This guidance is for removing just the mirror insert (with plastic surround) in cases where the actual mirror has an issue or you need to access the motor assembly behind it.
The mirror housing can be left attached to the door

Before you start, place a blanket under the door so if you drop the mirror it will not break and if any of the positioner pins come out they will not be hard to find, There are 4 of them.

Move the mirror all the way up or down so you can get your fingers behind the mirror.
Placing some tape around the housing edges before you start so as to not scratch the housing paint would be a good idea.

The mirror connects to the motor assembly with 5 snap in connections.

One is the main pivot ball in the center, The other 4 are smaller with one above, below, left, and right of the large center pivot.

The 4 smaller ones are driven by the motor assembly to position the mirror.

Have a friend hold the mirror housing while you pull on the mirror insert.

The mirror insert should “pop” out and be released.

Note: Now you will have to remove the heated mirror wiring connector and if equipped, the connector for the auto dimming.

One or more of the position pins may come out with the mirror insert or just fall on the ground. This is OK and not an issue.

If any pins come out they should have a spring attached to them so don’t lose the springs. The pins actually are inserted into the springs.

When I removed my mirror insert one pin came out with the spring still attached to the mirror insert. I simply removed it from the mirror insert just reinserted it into the motor assembly before I put the mirror insert back on. Everything worked just fine after I finished.

The mirror insert has “cupped” like connectors that the pivot and pins fit/snap into.
Use a good silicone type lubricant on the pins, pivot, and mirror insert connectors to make reattaching the mirror insert easier.

Please note the 4 pins have a small protrusion that has to be aligned correctly to match the mirror insert connectors . Not hard to “eyeball” the correct alignment but if not close the insert will not snap back onto the pins.

You should now be ready to reinstall the mirror insert.

Reattach the one or two wiring connectors.

If your new mirror does not have the electro chromatic feature (and the original did) just tape the wires off and make sure they are stuffed back so they don't interfere with the mirror motion. It will be apparent which wires are for the heating element versus the auto dimming.

Have a friend support the housing so it does not move when you press the mirror insert back in.

I recommend (must do or similar) cut a block of wood to cover as much of the mirror as possible so when you press in back on so you distribute the pressure and don’t break the mirror. Also place a small towel or soft material between the block and the mirror so as to not scratch the mirror.

As you start pressing the mirror insert in, try to put move the mirror insert and motor assembly so it is not tilted like you did when you removed it. You want all the pins and pivot to snap in at one time.

It takes a good amount of pressure to snap the mirror insert into place. That is why you need a friend to hold the housing and you need to lubricate the pins/pivot and the mirror insert connectors.

If it does not snap in with “reasonable force”, remove the mirror and double check the alignment of the 4 pins. I found out that I had not correctly aligned them all and had to redo that and then it snapped in.

When I reinstalled my insert I did not have a friend to help so I had to press with one hand while I held the housing with the other. It takes good amount of pressure to snap it in but I did it with one hand.

Good luck.

PS: Remember if you are replacing the motor assembly there are 2 types. One with Memory and one without. The one with Memory has 2 connectors, not one. The one with memory has an additional 4 pin connector.

 

Exactly what I did but I dont think I could say it as well. If you have heavy tint on the back window the mirror wont dim anyway.

 

Agree since the sensor is inside on the rear view mirror.

 

If your mirror is not cracked/broken and you can live without the electrochromatic feature, your existing lens can be cleaned up and re-installed.

I removed the mirror assembly as per the above. My mirror lens was not broken, but the electrochromatic fluid had degenerated into what appeared to be a stain around the outer edges of the lens. Once you have the mirror lens out of the housing, one can carefully remove the lens from the black bezel that surrounds the lens. Leave the heating element intact on the back of the mirror lens. The electrochromatic element that surrounds the lens can be removed and discarded. The lens actually consists of a clear pane of glass on top of a mirror pane. The electrochromatic fluid is 'sealed' in between the two - this is what leaks / stains. Carefully separate the two panes and thoroughly clean the electrochromatic fluid and stains off the two panes - I used a glass polish to remove the stains. Once completely clean, put the two panes back together, insert the panes back into the black bezel (I used a little adhesive on the inside rim of the bezel), connect the heating element wires, tape off the electrochromatic wires, and put it back together as per the above. End result on mine was a thoroughly clean and clear driver side mirror that maintained the heating element and remote adjustability, but no auto-dimming feature. Cost: $0

 

pickleseimer, if you don't mind I would like to include your guidance into my document so people have both options. I am sure if I had known about how it was made years ago I would have tried your method first and if I broke the mirror then I would have ordered the replacement.

 

No problem.

 

Thanks guys :-)

 

Very good info - thanks for sharing the procedures with us.