I've read through a few threads I could find regarding how to remove the auto-dimming mirror from my '03, but I'm just not getting it...

I can see the clip that holds the mirror to the mount when I look in from outside the windshield, and everyone seems to say you have to put a prying device in there to move the clip to release the mirror (everyone agrees the GM instructions to rock the mirror back and forth while pushing upwards doesn't work and often breaks the windshield). My question is, does the clip need to be pushed towards the windshield or pried away from it?

That is, do I need to:
a. get my prying tool between the clip and the glass and push it away from the glass? Or do I need to
b. get the prying tool between the clip and the mirror mount housing and push it towards the windshield?

I'd really like to not break the windshield in the process of getting the darn thing off. I have a replacement mirror on the way, and hopefully looking at the mounting on it will help answer my question, but guessing someone here has figured this out. All the electronics in the mirror seem to be shot with the exception of the little amber light that illuminates the gear shifter area- I tested the harness and it is sending power to the mirror- it's just dead. It never dims at night when headlights are behind me no matter how many times I press the "O/I" button, and the map lights won't illuminate even though I've tested both of the six-bulb sets and they're both good.

Thanks for any advice!

 

Im not sure what are you looking to do put the early style normal mirror? My 99 has a normal mirror and the 02 auto hud has one of those mirrors with multiple I/O buttons. I was thinking of putting it on my 99 if the 99 and 02+ later style mirrors with multiple buttons are interchangeable. Id be curious about this as well how to remove the mirrors without damaging an expensive windshield and if the plugs are the same.
May i ask what does the auto dimming mirror do or alternate functions from the normal regular lighted switch mirrors? Does it run off the drl defrost dash light sensor? Or interior light sensor on the DIC button cluster.

Main thing im asking is how to remove the mirrors as well?

 

I'm trying to replace my current auto-dimming mirror with a functional auto-dimming mirror. From '01-'04 the mirror mount changed to a clip type mount that did not have the torx screw found on the '97-'01. My mirror does have a couple of integrated light sensors, so I'm assuming the mirror senses when a bright light is behind and that is supposed to trigger the auto-dimming feature. Mine is definitely not functional, and in Texas, we have a lot of 4x4s with xenon lights that seem to be the perfect height to shine directly into the mirror (not complaining as we own a couple of 4x4 trucks as well :^). There are also two map lights which feature very unusual bulbs (actually each side has a circuit board with six LED bulbs. I've checked all the fuses associated with the mirror (they're good), I've checked the bulbs (they're good), and I've checked the harness that goes into the back of the mirror (it is supplying 12v from 2 or 3 of the wires). The only thing functional on the mirror is the little amberish light that comes on when the engine is on that helps you see the gear shift area at night.

Here is a picture of the clip taken through the windshield. From the other threads on this topic, I'm assuming that clip needs to be wedged either up or down to get the mirror to release from the windshield (however, I've tried pushing in both directions with a plastic trim removal tool without success). Some of the threads also have a picture of a GM tool specifically made to remove the mirror (basically just a bar with a bend at the end), so I'm thinking I might need a metal pry tool.

At this point, I'm just asking which direction I need to push the clip in- towards the windshield or away from it.

 

I believe I've found the answer (just in case anyone in the future is searching for the same information).
If you Google "GM rear view removal tool," the results will pull up a bunch of different tools that all look pretty much the same.
The instructions that accompany the description of each of these tools is pretty consistent as well.
Place the end between the mirror housing and the clip and push upwards towards the glass.
I'll eventually follow up with either a picture of a successfully removed mirror (or a broken windshield)...