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I think it might be that, but could not find an illustration to confirm it. There are two light sensors in the mirror for controlling the automatic dimming of the mirror - one facing the rear of the car, and one on the other side of the mirror (perhaps the "button") that looks forward. The mirror dims when the forward looking sensor detects a lot more light than the rear looking sensor.
It may well be the autodimming----- of the SIDE mirrors. We know that using the wrong pin-out when using a mirror tap can affect the side mirror, ergo the wiring for it is in the rear view mirror.
Someone has a wiring diagram and it will show if the receptor is indeed there.
It may well be the autodimming----- of the SIDE mirrors. We know that using the wrong pin-out when using a mirror tap can affect the side mirror, ergo the wiring for it is in the rear view mirror.
Someone has a wiring diagram and it will show if the receptor is indeed there.
The description in the Service Manual says there are sensors on the front and back of the inside rear view mirror. The only thing I'm not sure of is - is that so called button the sensor - but for sure there is one there. The outside driver side dimming is slaved to the inside mirror dimming. Passenger side does not dim does it? I could not find a replacement procedure for just the sensor in the mirror - only for the whole mirror.
"Automatic Day-Night Mirror Description and Operation
Inside Rearview Mirror with the Automatic Day-Night Feature System Operation
The inside rearview mirror uses 2 photocell sensors. One sensor is the headlight sensor, located on the face side of the mirror. The headlight
sensor is used to determine light conditions present at the mirror face. The other sensor is the ambient light sensor, located on the rear of the mirror
or windshield side. The ambient light sensor is used to determine the exterior light conditions. With a low exterior light condition detected, and a
high light condition from behind the car, at the headlight sensor, the inside rearview mirror will automatically darken the face of the mirror.
In the daytime, the mirror is in a normal state because of the high exterior light condition that is indicated by the ambient light sensor. With the gear
selector lever in the REVERSE position and the Ignition ON/Vehicle in Service Mode, backup lamp supply voltage is supplied as an input to the
inside rearview mirror. The mirror monitors this input to disable the automatic day-night feature. This allows the driver to see objects in the mirror
clearly when backing up, even during the night. Driver Outside Rearview Mirror with Automatic Day-Night System Operation (If Equipped)
The automatic day-night feature of the driver outside rearview mirror is controlled by the inside rearview mirror. The inside rearview mirror
supplies control and low reference to the driver outside rearview mirror. At night, with the automatic day-night feature enabled, the driver outside
rearview mirror will automatically darken with the inside rearview mirror to reduce glare from headlamps behind the vehicle."
I am just amazed at everything they designed, they really were very thorough when it came to the details , like the rear view mirror mentioned here.
All I know is when I look at the rear view mirror, it definitely does look good and I can see very well.
We have certainly come a long way with this new car.
Had to look this morning even knowing the obvious. Flashlight made it easy to see through the windshield. Looks like a solid button not like a sensor eye? Only the shadow knows it would seem.
Looks like a sensor to me. There is one there according to the service manual, and there isn't anything else on that side of the mirror that looks like a sensor. You can see the tell-tale striations that are consistent with a photo electric sensor too.
By the way, the auto dimming was not on the 1LT models in the past. I do not know it is standard on all now. But for those cases where it not equipped with Auto Dimming, on a 1LT, it might be a blank instead of a sensor. Or might not be there at all if a different mirror housing is used.
I found this....therefore i go with photocell sensor.
Here is description from the Service Manual:
"The inside rearview mirror uses 2 photocell sensors. One sensor is the rear light sensor,located on the face side of the mirror, facing the rear of the vehicle. The rear light sensor is used to determine light conditions present at the mirror face. The other sensor is the front light sensor, located on the backside of the mirror, facing the front of the vehicle. The front light sensor is used to determine the exterior light conditions at the front of the vehicle. With a low exterior light condition detected by the front light sensor and a high light condition from the rear light sensor, the inside rearview mirror will automatically darken the face of the inside rearview mirror and the driver outside rearview mirror. The inside rearview mirror provides a control circuit and a low reference circuit to the driver outside rearview mirror to darken the mirror when needed."
