2002 C5 Electrochromatic Mirror Upgrade
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 39
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From: Illinois
2002 C5 Electrochromatic Mirror Upgrade
I own a 2002 C5 Coupe with Preferred Equipment Group 1, which comes with the standard interior rear view mirror. I am looking to install an OEM C5 electrochromatic mirror for my car and would like to know if I can just remove the old mirror and install the new one, or if I have to do some work on the wiring.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2017
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From: Virginia
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St. Jude Donor '21-'22
Not sure if it has a different connector or not. Honestly though, I really don't feel like it's worth it. You should know they don't darken immediately. I feel like if you're going to go through all that trouble, there are much better aftermarket options that incorporate cameras. There are also versions that can be programmed to open and close your garage door. Trust me the OEM mirror isn't all that great.
Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: US
agree on the aftermarket option.
I did this in my car .. IIRC, you can tap into the power up there for the lights. the stock mirror just uses power and ground.
If I were doing this today,. I'd absolutely go with an aftermarket version. You 20 years of progress, as already mentioned built in homelink, and if you really want to get fancy, there area lot out there (not expensive) that do a full mirror video of a reverse camera. --- I put one of those in my off road cherokee after the roll cage minimized my rear view somewhat. Takes a little getting used to, but it's pretty great.
If you don't do video, all you'll need is power and ground anyway, so why not get something that's better and just as easy to install.
I did this in my car .. IIRC, you can tap into the power up there for the lights. the stock mirror just uses power and ground.
If I were doing this today,. I'd absolutely go with an aftermarket version. You 20 years of progress, as already mentioned built in homelink, and if you really want to get fancy, there area lot out there (not expensive) that do a full mirror video of a reverse camera. --- I put one of those in my off road cherokee after the roll cage minimized my rear view somewhat. Takes a little getting used to, but it's pretty great.
If you don't do video, all you'll need is power and ground anyway, so why not get something that's better and just as easy to install.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,294
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From: Brea CA
The electrical connector is different between the standard and electro-chromatic mirror. You can splice into the wiring in the header or if you can get the factory harness with the mirror. this plugs in under the dash on the passenger side. The harness has the mirror light connectors on it also.
Gary
Gary
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From: US
The electrical connector is different between the standard and electro-chromatic mirror. You can splice into the wiring in the header or if you can get the factory harness with the mirror. this plugs in under the dash on the passenger side. The harness has the mirror light connectors on it also.
Gary
Gary
I'd still go with a more modern mirror though
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I'm a big fan of mirror upgrades. I haven't done one to the Corvette yet but if you're crafty, can read a basic wiring diagram, and willing to surf the bone yards, you can easily find one with auto dimming, home link, compass, temp display, and almost any combination of those four features.
Or, yeah, the camera mirror is what I would do if I were doing it now. Haven't done one in a few years, but mirror upgrades are my favorite.
Or, yeah, the camera mirror is what I would do if I were doing it now. Haven't done one in a few years, but mirror upgrades are my favorite.
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From: US
the camera-in-a-mirror takes some getting used to -- I put one in my offroad cherokee b/c I had very limited rear view , due to 40" spare and roll cage.
you're also best off getting a more expensive unit -- the lower cost units are really janky, run at like 15fps, and can actually be disorientating. Get a good, 4k camera/screen combo with at least 30fps..even then, since the viewing angle of the camera (usually mounted somewhere on the rear) is at a differnet angle -- usually lower -- it does take some getting used to. You have to remind yourself you're looking at a monitor, not a mirror.
you're also best off getting a more expensive unit -- the lower cost units are really janky, run at like 15fps, and can actually be disorientating. Get a good, 4k camera/screen combo with at least 30fps..even then, since the viewing angle of the camera (usually mounted somewhere on the rear) is at a differnet angle -- usually lower -- it does take some getting used to. You have to remind yourself you're looking at a monitor, not a mirror.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: Miami FL
I was extremely dissatisfied with the OEM electrochromatic rear view mirror. It would not darken fast enough, dark enough, or reliably. Eventually I removed it and stalled a compatible manual rear view mirror with map lights on the bottom. I sold the electrochromatic mirror on eBay for much more than the new replacement cost me.
What is so hard about flipping the tab when driving at night then flipping it back during daytime? Lots of modern automaticity in vehicles, such as this, are worthless annoyances.
What is so hard about flipping the tab when driving at night then flipping it back during daytime? Lots of modern automaticity in vehicles, such as this, are worthless annoyances.
Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 11,775
Likes: 1,376
From: US
I was extremely dissatisfied with the OEM electrochromatic rear view mirror. It would not darken fast enough, dark enough, or reliably. Eventually I removed it and stalled a compatible manual rear view mirror with map lights on the bottom. I sold the electrochromatic mirror on eBay for much more than the new replacement cost me.
What is so hard about flipping the tab when driving at night then flipping it back during daytime? Lots of modern automaticity in vehicles, such as this, are worthless annoyances.
What is so hard about flipping the tab when driving at night then flipping it back during daytime? Lots of modern automaticity in vehicles, such as this, are worthless annoyances.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 627
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From: west coast of Canada
I was extremely dissatisfied with the OEM electrochromatic rear view mirror. It would not darken fast enough, dark enough, or reliably. Eventually I removed it and stalled a compatible manual rear view mirror with map lights on the bottom. I sold the electrochromatic mirror on eBay for much more than the new replacement cost me.
What is so hard about flipping the tab when driving at night then flipping it back during daytime? Lots of modern automaticity in vehicles, such as this, are worthless annoyances.
What is so hard about flipping the tab when driving at night then flipping it back during daytime? Lots of modern automaticity in vehicles, such as this, are worthless annoyances.
Thanks,
Mark
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 200
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a good elecctrochromatic mirror is hands down better than the old school flip. modern ones dim super quick, others dispense with the mirror all together and just use a camera (takes some getting used to , but has none of the drawbacks of a mirror.) the one in our cars was designed over 20 years ago, back in the day it was ok, today-- think about buying a computer from the year 2000-- dial up modem, non flat screen, mechanical hard drive -- tech has come a LOONG way since then.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 232
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From: Miami FL
Mark,
https://www.corvettecentral.com/c5-9...tomatic-515113
I bought it in June, 2016, for $166. The price has gone up 15% since then, which is probably less of an increase than most Corvette parts.
https://www.corvettecentral.com/c5-9...tomatic-515113
I bought it in June, 2016, for $166. The price has gone up 15% since then, which is probably less of an increase than most Corvette parts.
Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 11,775
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From: US
My 2016 Jeep Renegade has a fully manual flip mirror, no lights, no buttons at all. I prefer it over the fancy mirror in the Yukon Denali I traded for it. Honestly glad my Vette has the "base" mirror. My windows are covered with 5% tint anyway so no mirror is gonna be better in that regard. I purposefully didn't put a rear view camera in my car when I upgraded the stereo even. My single DIN no color screen radio doesn't even support a camera install. I love computer technology, but I want less of it in my cars rather than more.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 232
Likes: 52
From: Miami FL
Agree there is no perfect system.
Between my tinted rear window and my manual flip rear view mirror, I seem to have achieved the best compromise between seeing what is behind me and blocking the extremely bright newer headlight technology.
The electrochromatic mirror that my 2003 Corvette came with, just wasn't working out, even after I had the rear window tinted to darkest legal. The automatic mirror didn't darken fast enough, dark enough, or reliably (meaning often it didn't do its electro chromatic thing at all, when needed).
I recall posting a query on this forum back in 2015 after I bought my car, asking if anybody knew of a hack to "manually control" the electrochromatic mirror so that I could push a button and it would turn dark right away. Since there was apparently no method to achieve a manual override to darken the mirror upon command, I opted to remove it and install an old-fashioned manual flip rear view mirror which I am very happy with.
Please see:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ew-mirror.html
Between my tinted rear window and my manual flip rear view mirror, I seem to have achieved the best compromise between seeing what is behind me and blocking the extremely bright newer headlight technology.
The electrochromatic mirror that my 2003 Corvette came with, just wasn't working out, even after I had the rear window tinted to darkest legal. The automatic mirror didn't darken fast enough, dark enough, or reliably (meaning often it didn't do its electro chromatic thing at all, when needed).
I recall posting a query on this forum back in 2015 after I bought my car, asking if anybody knew of a hack to "manually control" the electrochromatic mirror so that I could push a button and it would turn dark right away. Since there was apparently no method to achieve a manual override to darken the mirror upon command, I opted to remove it and install an old-fashioned manual flip rear view mirror which I am very happy with.
Please see:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ew-mirror.html
Last edited by Dave's 1st Corvette; Feb 13, 2022 at 07:41 PM. Reason: grammar and clarity
Pro
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 627
Likes: 181
From: west coast of Canada
Mark,
https://www.corvettecentral.com/c5-9...tomatic-515113
I bought it in June, 2016, for $166. The price has gone up 15% since then, which is probably less of an increase than most Corvette parts.
https://www.corvettecentral.com/c5-9...tomatic-515113
I bought it in June, 2016, for $166. The price has gone up 15% since then, which is probably less of an increase than most Corvette parts.
Mark
Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 11,775
Likes: 1,376
From: US
Agree there is no perfect system.
Between my tinted rear window and my manual flip rear view mirror, I seem to have achieved the best compromise between seeing what is behind me and blocking the extremely bright newer headlight technology.
The electrochromatic mirror that my 2003 Corvette came with, just wasn't working out, even after I had the rear window tinted to darkest legal. The automatic mirror didn't darken fast enough, dark enough, or reliably (meaning often it didn't do its electro chromatic thing at all, when needed).
Between my tinted rear window and my manual flip rear view mirror, I seem to have achieved the best compromise between seeing what is behind me and blocking the extremely bright newer headlight technology.
The electrochromatic mirror that my 2003 Corvette came with, just wasn't working out, even after I had the rear window tinted to darkest legal. The automatic mirror didn't darken fast enough, dark enough, or reliably (meaning often it didn't do its electro chromatic thing at all, when needed).
Also, your problem could be the tinted windows. The electrochmoatic mirror relies on actually receiving light, and the c5 one relied on a pretty primitive photosensor. I'd bet money tinting the windows probably was the primary issue there. When I have the top down on my vert, the mirror dims fairly quicky.
Aanyway, let's not hijack op's thread.