So recently the lights in the buttons on my rear view mirror have gone out in my 03 Z06. The reading lights still work and the electrochromatic mirrors button still works but the lights in the buttons dont. Has anyone had this issue? I didnt see any info about it in the stickys

 

Here's the Schematic you'll need to troubleshoot it. Merry Christmas!
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What lights behind the buttons? Mine don't light up...

 

tstar, I don't think mine do either, so maybe we all have the same problem. The schematic sure shows it!

 

It sure does! I'll have to tear mine apart and check it out!

It's showing a LED, and appears not to be going through the Dimmer, I wonder if it's referring to the little "helper" LED that lights up the shifter area?

Tim

 

Mine did work when I first got it then all of a sudden they went out. I dunno?

 

Testar is the BULB MAN, he'll find out and let us know! I'd bet on it.

 

I've had my '03 Z06 since new. Other than the green "on/off" light none of the buttons are backlighted. Will be interesting to see what we find out.

 

I've never seen them on my "o1 either !

 

Badda - Bing! Tim found it.

No "lights in the buttons".

 

Oh good, then I don't have to tear mine apart????

I''m 98% sure they do not light up as GM used incandescent bulbs for backlighting in the C5 and C6s and I'm SURE I would have had requests to change em to Blue LEDs by now! nascar57 has been inside of them, I'll check with him...

OP do you perhaps have an aftermarket mirror that DOES have backlit buttons??? Snap some shots of it and post em up if you can.

Tim

 

No, mine is stock. I may be mistaken but it seems like on the way home the night I bought the car I was messing around with all the features and it was dark out. I remember pushing the buttons and I swear they were lit up because now when I look up I would not even know buttons are there when it is dark out. I dont know, I may be wrong. Why does the schematic show backlighting?

 

That's the million dollar question my friend! nascar57 will know if lights are behind the buttons, he's totally dismantled the mirrors several times.

Tim

 

Having disassembled a non-auto dimming mirror in the past, I can say for a fact that there are no lights contained inside for illuminating either of those two switch buttons. Also, close inspection of the two buttons (rocker switches) in question, will show that they are not transparent or translucent, so even if there was a bulb behind them, it would not show through. Each switch does however, have a small white painted section on the actual "rocker" button so when it is flipped "on", the white painted section shows on one side, to give a visual indication that the switch is in the "on" position.

I can't speak positively to the auto dimming version, but I seriously doubt it has illuminated buttons either.

 

In there lies another difference. TWO ROCKER SWITCHES. My Auto dimming mirror dosn't have two rocker switches. It has three soft type pushbuttons, like the other pushbuttons, but just smaller.

 

My 02 z06 has auto dimmer mirror but the buttons dont light up. Wish they did.

 

I don't have any firsthand experience with the auto-dim versions. Thanks Byron

After looking at that schematic, I think some of this is may be a case of the "graphics" (or "label") on the diagram being a bit misleading and perhaps adding to the confusion. The word "backlight" is being used in a general or generic sense and not in a "literal" sense. A better term would have been "IP trim panel area lighting" since that's truly what it does. It lights an area on the front of the radio/HVAC panel, "buttons" included. Additionally, I can see where some folks may look at that schematic and misinterpret the component descriptor: "Inside Rearview Mirror", as meaning that the illustrated LED, etc is literally "inside" the rearview mirror, as opposed to the correct interpretation meaning that it (mirror) is not an "outside" rearview mirror but rather, is located physically "inside" the car.

The "bulb" in question in the schematic is clearly an led, and it's purpose is to provide low level illumination of the console panel (and it's "buttons") when the interior lighting gets dimmed completely down to minimum, or turned off completely. That little yellow LED (sometimes referred to as the "mystery light" by C5 newbies ) still gives some faint illumination of the radio/hvac panel "buttons" since the led itself does not dim.

HTH

 

Yep, I understand what you're saying, but from the Service Manual, we're talking about 2 diffrent things, on 2 diffrent circuits. Check this schematic, then tell me what you think. Look at the circuit numbers.
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Hmmm, I see what you mean. Circuit 9 and circuit 341. In my book, circuit 9 is the B+ for the led which is described in the Lighting Systems - "Description and Operation" section as: "Inside Rearview Mirror LED". I can't find a circuit "341" anywhere.

Curious: What is RPO code "DDO"? Is it for the auto-dim mirror? Is/was the AD standard in 2000+? My '99 service manual has no reference to it.

 

From the list:
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DD0 Electrochromic Mirrors - Outside
DD8 Electrochromic Mirror - Inside
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I'll see if I can find anything in the '99 manual.