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Driver's Side Mirror turning green?!

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Old Apr 5, 2021 | 12:16 PM
  #1  
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Default Driver's Side Mirror turning green?!

As the title states, it looks like the mirror in the driver's side rear view mirror is taking a greenish tint! Yes, it's clean. No, it's not an outside in the sun all day car either. Is this perhaps, something to do with the auto-dimming function? It's still usable but it would sure be nice to have it be clear again. The passenger side is fine - nice and clear.
Thoughts on a fix?

Thanks!
Joe
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Old Apr 5, 2021 | 12:34 PM
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I'm guessing water getting in between the glass and the mirror backing is turning it green, just like what happens on a bathroom mirror. Thinking the only fix would be replacement. I may be way off on this answer but hopefully someone with some experience with this will chime in. Good luck!
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Old Apr 5, 2021 | 12:43 PM
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It's the auto dimming feature going bad. The electrochromic gel goes bad which keeps the mirror permanently dark or "on". Replacement is the only fix.
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Old Apr 5, 2021 | 12:43 PM
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The good news is that it should be a cheap fix if you can get a mirror from a salvage yard.
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Old Apr 5, 2021 | 12:59 PM
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Originally Posted by tikiman
The good news is that it should be a cheap fix if you can get a mirror from a salvage yard.
If it hasn't gone bad but you can tell by looking. Cheaper fix alternative is stick on mirror that you put on top of the malfunctioned auto darkening mirror.
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Old Apr 5, 2021 | 01:25 PM
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Originally Posted by MSG C5
It's the auto dimming feature going bad. The electrochromic gel goes bad which keeps the mirror permanently dark or "on". Replacement is the only fix.
Another cheap option would be an eBay stick on mirror to cover the old one. They look good, but you will no longer have the dimming function.
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Old Apr 5, 2021 | 02:59 PM
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Originally Posted by MSG C5
It's the auto dimming feature going bad. The electrochromic gel goes bad which keeps the mirror permanently dark or "on". Replacement is the only fix.
Dang it, that's what I was thinking, but hoping not. Oh well, it is 17 years old I guess.
Thanks for the suggestion of the stick-on mirror, but no, not for me. I'll get a good one from a salvage yard or somewhere and replace it. Yay, more work for me!!!

Thanks for the responses guys.
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Old Apr 5, 2021 | 03:18 PM
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Originally Posted by MSG C5
It's the auto dimming feature going bad. The electrochromic gel goes bad which keeps the mirror permanently dark or "on". Replacement is the only fix.
What he said!
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Old Apr 5, 2021 | 03:33 PM
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Originally Posted by JPW501
Dang it, that's what I was thinking, but hoping not. Oh well, it is 17 years old I guess.
Thanks for the suggestion of the stick-on mirror, but no, not for me. I'll get a good one from a salvage yard or somewhere and replace it. Yay, more work for me!!!

Thanks for the responses guys.
Check a few GM online part distributors. I think the C5 and the C6 shared the same mirrors so there still may be some replacements out there.
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Old Apr 5, 2021 | 03:43 PM
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Does anyone have a good auto-dim/heated mirror glass they'd like to sell?
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Old Apr 5, 2021 | 03:52 PM
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Last I checked, a new OEM mirror was over $500.00. Not sure how much a salvage yard would charge, but then there's a pretty high likelihood of a salvage mirror developing the same issue in short order. The newest C5s are at least 17 years old.
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Old Apr 27, 2021 | 09:39 AM
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I'm in the process of replacing mine. I decided to go with with a heated only GM replacement mirror for around $105. The stock mirror is over $300 IIRC. I had to reorder one, I broke the first replacement while trying to install it. The heated only ones aren't as thick as the stock one, so they bend very easily when trying to get the clips back in.
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Old Apr 27, 2021 | 09:47 AM
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I just slapped a piece of regular mirror glass over it and it's been fine for the two years it's been on there. The autodimming is nice, but not $500 nice.
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Old Apr 27, 2021 | 10:02 AM
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Originally Posted by JPW501
Does anyone have a good auto-dim/heated mirror glass they'd like to sell?
Don't forget you need one with memory function, as I'm pretty sure some cars had the heated function, but not the memory. However, that may not be the case for the auto-dim mirrors, as they may all have the memory feature. I suspect the auto-dim was only available on the later C5s, as my 2000 Vert has memory and heat, but no auto-dim. Just trying to leave no stone unturned for you........
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Old Apr 27, 2021 | 10:05 AM
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The glass itself is the same - the memory is in the stalk/holder for the mirror.

Also the Chevy SSR has the same side mirrors as a C5.
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Old Apr 28, 2021 | 03:46 PM
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Originally Posted by MSG C5
It's the auto dimming feature going bad. The electrochromic gel goes bad which keeps the mirror permanently dark or "on". Replacement is the only fix.
When the gel goes bad, the glass has to be replaced.
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