Trouble with inside rear view mirror.
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Rear view mirror problems with lights
have a problem my rear view mirror lights only will work with the switch on the mirror and when I open the door or unlock the door the lights won't come on but will manually. Can anyone advise what it could be before I start digging in. I have a 98 c5.
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,695
Likes: 490
From: Denver, NC
I have not tried to find the cause why the mirror does not darken the bright headlights of vehicles behind me.
That feature has never worked since I have owned the car,
Everything else on the mirror works, except the darkening feature, to soften bright lights behind me.
Also, are the side view mirrors supposed to do the same thing?
Thanks,
Bob.
That feature has never worked since I have owned the car,
Everything else on the mirror works, except the darkening feature, to soften bright lights behind me.
Also, are the side view mirrors supposed to do the same thing?
Thanks,
Bob.
If you want to test the sensors and mirror, make sure the green light is on as mentioned above. Cover the front sensor on the lower front (windshield side) of the mirror with your index finger (easy to feel - feels like a hole) and shine a light into the sensor on the mirror that faces the rear of the car. Give it 30 seconds and see how dark it gets. By doing this the car will think it is night and there is a car behind you. The mirror will get very dark even in daylight with this test. I have the car running when I do this.
It senses a light differential between the front and rear of the rearview mirror so when the rear window gets tinted, it knocks down some of the light that would signal the mirror to dim.
Your driver side mirror would dim with it - assuming it was never replaced with a standard glass.
Last edited by Ed Ramberger; Mar 30, 2018 at 11:09 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 151
Is the rear window tinted? Mine doesn't dim as much or as fast as it used to before I got the rear window tinted.
If you want to test the sensors and mirror, make sure the green light is on as mentioned above. Cover the front sensor on the lower front (windshield side) of the mirror with your index finger (easy to feel - feels like a hole) and shine a light into the sensor on the mirror that faces the rear of the car. Give it 30 seconds and see how dark it gets. By doing this the car will think it is night and there is a car behind you. The mirror will get very dark even in daylight with this test. I have the car running when I do this.
It senses a light differential between the front and rear of the rearview mirror so when the rear window gets tinted, it knocks down some of the light that would signal the mirror to dim.
Your driver side mirror would dim with it - assuming it was never replaced with a standard glass.
If you want to test the sensors and mirror, make sure the green light is on as mentioned above. Cover the front sensor on the lower front (windshield side) of the mirror with your index finger (easy to feel - feels like a hole) and shine a light into the sensor on the mirror that faces the rear of the car. Give it 30 seconds and see how dark it gets. By doing this the car will think it is night and there is a car behind you. The mirror will get very dark even in daylight with this test. I have the car running when I do this.
It senses a light differential between the front and rear of the rearview mirror so when the rear window gets tinted, it knocks down some of the light that would signal the mirror to dim.
Your driver side mirror would dim with it - assuming it was never replaced with a standard glass.
My rear window is tinted, so the mirror didn't get real dark, but it did get darker than normal.
I am assuming the window tint was from the factory.
It doesn't look like an aftermarket tint.
Bob.
Last edited by calguy; Mar 31, 2018 at 01:55 AM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,695
Likes: 490
From: Denver, NC
I did what you stated here,(at night, in my driveway) and both mirrors did dim, but while driving, they do not dim when a vehicle is behind me.
My rear window is tinted, so the mirror didn't get real dark, but it did get darker than normal.
I am assuming the window tint was from the factory.
It doesn't look like an aftermarket tint.
Bob.
My rear window is tinted, so the mirror didn't get real dark, but it did get darker than normal.
I am assuming the window tint was from the factory.
It doesn't look like an aftermarket tint.
Bob.
Test it during the day - you will really notice the difference and get a feel for how much it will darken.
Last edited by Ed Ramberger; Mar 31, 2018 at 07:24 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,258
Likes: 544
From: Appleton WI
Leave the mirror activated. It should improve it's performance. That is the whole purpose of having an automatic dimming mirror. If you just turn it on when you need it, it seems to take awhile to adjust. Any window tint will also change the effectiveness.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,258
Likes: 544
From: Appleton WI
Are your footwell lights coming on? You may have your dash dimmer switch turned off. It is located to the left of the steering wheel on the dash. If you push on it, it will pop out to make it easier to grab and turn. If not, look for a blown fuse.
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,695
Likes: 490
From: Denver, NC
You should start a new thread - not hijack this one.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 151
The only time it hasn't been, is during these test that I have been doing.
It is normally on all the time.
One thing I forgot to mention is the car is a convertible, and the top is down most of the time, so the tinted rear window wouldn't account for the mirror not dimming to a dark position.
Like I said, in the test, it dimmed, but only slightly, and the top was down.
Bob.
Last edited by calguy; Mar 31, 2018 at 08:45 PM.
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Advanced
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 52
Likes: 7
From: Marco Island, FL
Hi All,
I have an 2LT with a little over 6,000 miles on it and have never had a problem with blind spots. My solution is simple. Before a vehicle disappears from the rear view camera the indicator in the mirror lights up. Never is the presence of a vehicle on either side unknown. A car with 1LT may not have these capabilities.
I have an 2LT with a little over 6,000 miles on it and have never had a problem with blind spots. My solution is simple. Before a vehicle disappears from the rear view camera the indicator in the mirror lights up. Never is the presence of a vehicle on either side unknown. A car with 1LT may not have these capabilities.