My wife's 98 JGC just developed a jaundiced driver's side rear view
mirror. Since we were on a trip, we had a chance to fiddle around
with things (and even read the manual!) and discovered that this
mirror is supposed to autodim along with the autodim inside rearview
mirror. That one has a clear button on the underside which according
to the manual is supposed to light up when in the autodim mode - only
our button doesn't light, but when in the pushed up position, both
mirrors get pretty dark, and then when moved to the down position, the
mirrors very slowly clear. The dashboard lights are acting up as
well. Does anyone have a theory about what's up? I suspect something
went wrong electrically somewhere, and it's messing up the supply
voltage to these circuits, or something went wrong with something in
the autodim (like the outside mirror died)and that's what's messing
other things up. Is it possible this is just a fuse somewhere? Has
anyone else ever seen the outside rear view suddenly go quite yellow
in color? Since we were on the road, we noticed several other cars
with decidedly yellow mirrors. Thanks for any suggestions..

Rick

 

I work on GM cars and trucks for a living, but the circuits are likely
pretty similar. The electrochromatic fluid in your mirrors reacts to
voltage and darkens the mirror. One of the by-products of this system is
that the LS mirror will start to turn that particular color of yellow after
awhile. As far as the system operation goes, there is a light sensor,
usually integral to the inside rear view mirror, that picks up light that is
directed from behind, such as when a car is behind you at night. This
photocell transmits the voltage to the little microcircuit inside the
mirror, and then the mirror determines when to turn the LS mirror on and off
in conjunction with the inside mirror. They should work in tandem.

If the mirrors are darkening at all times, you likely have a faulty
photocell, and hence a faulty mirror. On GM vehicles, the inside mirror has
a little sensor right on the glass portion of the mirror, you can see it.
If your Jeep is similarly equipped, then I would wager that this is your
culprit. Perhaps someone else in the group has a better resource for the
actual location of this photocell. At any rate, double check what I am
telling you with the parts guy at the dealership before you buy anything.


Jerry


"Rick Cunningham" <richard.cunningham@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:e590335d.0311161708.255b6d43@posting.google.c om...
> My wife's 98 JGC just developed a jaundiced driver's side rear view
> mirror. Since we were on a trip, we had a chance to fiddle around
> with things (and even read the manual!) and discovered that this
> mirror is supposed to autodim along with the autodim inside rearview
> mirror. That one has a clear button on the underside which according
> to the manual is supposed to light up when in the autodim mode - only
> our button doesn't light, but when in the pushed up position, both
> mirrors get pretty dark, and then when moved to the down position, the
> mirrors very slowly clear. The dashboard lights are acting up as
> well. Does anyone have a theory about what's up? I suspect something
> went wrong electrically somewhere, and it's messing up the supply
> voltage to these circuits, or something went wrong with something in
> the autodim (like the outside mirror died)and that's what's messing
> other things up. Is it possible this is just a fuse somewhere? Has
> anyone else ever seen the outside rear view suddenly go quite yellow
> in color? Since we were on the road, we noticed several other cars
> with decidedly yellow mirrors. Thanks for any suggestions..
>
> Rick

 

I work on GM cars and trucks for a living, but the circuits are likely
pretty similar. The electrochromatic fluid in your mirrors reacts to
voltage and darkens the mirror. One of the by-products of this system is
that the LS mirror will start to turn that particular color of yellow after
awhile. As far as the system operation goes, there is a light sensor,
usually integral to the inside rear view mirror, that picks up light that is
directed from behind, such as when a car is behind you at night. This
photocell transmits the voltage to the little microcircuit inside the
mirror, and then the mirror determines when to turn the LS mirror on and off
in conjunction with the inside mirror. They should work in tandem.

If the mirrors are darkening at all times, you likely have a faulty
photocell, and hence a faulty mirror. On GM vehicles, the inside mirror has
a little sensor right on the glass portion of the mirror, you can see it.
If your Jeep is similarly equipped, then I would wager that this is your
culprit. Perhaps someone else in the group has a better resource for the
actual location of this photocell. At any rate, double check what I am
telling you with the parts guy at the dealership before you buy anything.


Jerry


"Rick Cunningham" <richard.cunningham@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:e590335d.0311161708.255b6d43@posting.google.c om...
> My wife's 98 JGC just developed a jaundiced driver's side rear view
> mirror. Since we were on a trip, we had a chance to fiddle around
> with things (and even read the manual!) and discovered that this
> mirror is supposed to autodim along with the autodim inside rearview
> mirror. That one has a clear button on the underside which according
> to the manual is supposed to light up when in the autodim mode - only
> our button doesn't light, but when in the pushed up position, both
> mirrors get pretty dark, and then when moved to the down position, the
> mirrors very slowly clear. The dashboard lights are acting up as
> well. Does anyone have a theory about what's up? I suspect something
> went wrong electrically somewhere, and it's messing up the supply
> voltage to these circuits, or something went wrong with something in
> the autodim (like the outside mirror died)and that's what's messing
> other things up. Is it possible this is just a fuse somewhere? Has
> anyone else ever seen the outside rear view suddenly go quite yellow
> in color? Since we were on the road, we noticed several other cars
> with decidedly yellow mirrors. Thanks for any suggestions..
>
> Rick

 

I work on GM cars and trucks for a living, but the circuits are likely
pretty similar. The electrochromatic fluid in your mirrors reacts to
voltage and darkens the mirror. One of the by-products of this system is
that the LS mirror will start to turn that particular color of yellow after
awhile. As far as the system operation goes, there is a light sensor,
usually integral to the inside rear view mirror, that picks up light that is
directed from behind, such as when a car is behind you at night. This
photocell transmits the voltage to the little microcircuit inside the
mirror, and then the mirror determines when to turn the LS mirror on and off
in conjunction with the inside mirror. They should work in tandem.

If the mirrors are darkening at all times, you likely have a faulty
photocell, and hence a faulty mirror. On GM vehicles, the inside mirror has
a little sensor right on the glass portion of the mirror, you can see it.
If your Jeep is similarly equipped, then I would wager that this is your
culprit. Perhaps someone else in the group has a better resource for the
actual location of this photocell. At any rate, double check what I am
telling you with the parts guy at the dealership before you buy anything.


Jerry


"Rick Cunningham" <richard.cunningham@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:e590335d.0311161708.255b6d43@posting.google.c om...
> My wife's 98 JGC just developed a jaundiced driver's side rear view
> mirror. Since we were on a trip, we had a chance to fiddle around
> with things (and even read the manual!) and discovered that this
> mirror is supposed to autodim along with the autodim inside rearview
> mirror. That one has a clear button on the underside which according
> to the manual is supposed to light up when in the autodim mode - only
> our button doesn't light, but when in the pushed up position, both
> mirrors get pretty dark, and then when moved to the down position, the
> mirrors very slowly clear. The dashboard lights are acting up as
> well. Does anyone have a theory about what's up? I suspect something
> went wrong electrically somewhere, and it's messing up the supply
> voltage to these circuits, or something went wrong with something in
> the autodim (like the outside mirror died)and that's what's messing
> other things up. Is it possible this is just a fuse somewhere? Has
> anyone else ever seen the outside rear view suddenly go quite yellow
> in color? Since we were on the road, we noticed several other cars
> with decidedly yellow mirrors. Thanks for any suggestions..
>
> Rick

 

Approximately 11/16/03 17:08, Rick Cunningham uttered for posterity:

> My wife's 98 JGC just developed a jaundiced driver's side rear view
> mirror. Since we were on a trip, we had a chance to fiddle around
> with things (and even read the manual!) and discovered that this
> mirror is supposed to autodim along with the autodim inside rearview
> mirror. That one has a clear button on the underside which according
> to the manual is supposed to light up when in the autodim mode - only
> our button doesn't light, but when in the pushed up position, both
> mirrors get pretty dark, and then when moved to the down position, the
> mirrors very slowly clear. The dashboard lights are acting up as
> well. Does anyone have a theory about what's up? I suspect something
> went wrong electrically somewhere, and it's messing up the supply
> voltage to these circuits, or something went wrong with something in
> the autodim (like the outside mirror died)and that's what's messing
> other things up. Is it possible this is just a fuse somewhere? Has
> anyone else ever seen the outside rear view suddenly go quite yellow
> in color? Since we were on the road, we noticed several other cars
> with decidedly yellow mirrors. Thanks for any suggestions..

There should be a green LED in the button on your rear mirror
for the autodim. The wiring to the mirror sorta sucks in quality,
I just removed the connector, removed the wrapping, cleaned up
the wiring and then put a Fry's tube on it. Kinda not good news
if the LED don't light, as means something is wrong inside the
mirror. It ain't bright, but you can see it by simply shielding
the little button with your mitts.

The outside mirror has a defroster in it that has been known to
stick on, and cook the mirror. Comes on with rear defogger,
feed is from the rear defogger relay. The glass is replaceable
if you can get a dealer to get you only that part.

On the rear view mirror, pop the little tab and pull off the
wiring. The black wire should have a good ground on it. If
not, it goes foofoo or worse and the rest of this test is
of no use.

Then turn on ignition, put transmission in Reverse with Park
brake on. Should have full battery voltage on brown/light green
wire. The purpose of this wire is to inhibit the dim function
when in Reverse. If you don't get full battery voltage, you
probably have bad wiring to the backup lamps. Fun. The
voltage should change when you move the Xmission to Neutral
or Drive with key on.







--
My governor can kick your governor's ***

 

Approximately 11/16/03 17:08, Rick Cunningham uttered for posterity:

> My wife's 98 JGC just developed a jaundiced driver's side rear view
> mirror. Since we were on a trip, we had a chance to fiddle around
> with things (and even read the manual!) and discovered that this
> mirror is supposed to autodim along with the autodim inside rearview
> mirror. That one has a clear button on the underside which according
> to the manual is supposed to light up when in the autodim mode - only
> our button doesn't light, but when in the pushed up position, both
> mirrors get pretty dark, and then when moved to the down position, the
> mirrors very slowly clear. The dashboard lights are acting up as
> well. Does anyone have a theory about what's up? I suspect something
> went wrong electrically somewhere, and it's messing up the supply
> voltage to these circuits, or something went wrong with something in
> the autodim (like the outside mirror died)and that's what's messing
> other things up. Is it possible this is just a fuse somewhere? Has
> anyone else ever seen the outside rear view suddenly go quite yellow
> in color? Since we were on the road, we noticed several other cars
> with decidedly yellow mirrors. Thanks for any suggestions..

There should be a green LED in the button on your rear mirror
for the autodim. The wiring to the mirror sorta sucks in quality,
I just removed the connector, removed the wrapping, cleaned up
the wiring and then put a Fry's tube on it. Kinda not good news
if the LED don't light, as means something is wrong inside the
mirror. It ain't bright, but you can see it by simply shielding
the little button with your mitts.

The outside mirror has a defroster in it that has been known to
stick on, and cook the mirror. Comes on with rear defogger,
feed is from the rear defogger relay. The glass is replaceable
if you can get a dealer to get you only that part.

On the rear view mirror, pop the little tab and pull off the
wiring. The black wire should have a good ground on it. If
not, it goes foofoo or worse and the rest of this test is
of no use.

Then turn on ignition, put transmission in Reverse with Park
brake on. Should have full battery voltage on brown/light green
wire. The purpose of this wire is to inhibit the dim function
when in Reverse. If you don't get full battery voltage, you
probably have bad wiring to the backup lamps. Fun. The
voltage should change when you move the Xmission to Neutral
or Drive with key on.







--
My governor can kick your governor's ***

 

Approximately 11/16/03 17:08, Rick Cunningham uttered for posterity:

> My wife's 98 JGC just developed a jaundiced driver's side rear view
> mirror. Since we were on a trip, we had a chance to fiddle around
> with things (and even read the manual!) and discovered that this
> mirror is supposed to autodim along with the autodim inside rearview
> mirror. That one has a clear button on the underside which according
> to the manual is supposed to light up when in the autodim mode - only
> our button doesn't light, but when in the pushed up position, both
> mirrors get pretty dark, and then when moved to the down position, the
> mirrors very slowly clear. The dashboard lights are acting up as
> well. Does anyone have a theory about what's up? I suspect something
> went wrong electrically somewhere, and it's messing up the supply
> voltage to these circuits, or something went wrong with something in
> the autodim (like the outside mirror died)and that's what's messing
> other things up. Is it possible this is just a fuse somewhere? Has
> anyone else ever seen the outside rear view suddenly go quite yellow
> in color? Since we were on the road, we noticed several other cars
> with decidedly yellow mirrors. Thanks for any suggestions..

There should be a green LED in the button on your rear mirror
for the autodim. The wiring to the mirror sorta sucks in quality,
I just removed the connector, removed the wrapping, cleaned up
the wiring and then put a Fry's tube on it. Kinda not good news
if the LED don't light, as means something is wrong inside the
mirror. It ain't bright, but you can see it by simply shielding
the little button with your mitts.

The outside mirror has a defroster in it that has been known to
stick on, and cook the mirror. Comes on with rear defogger,
feed is from the rear defogger relay. The glass is replaceable
if you can get a dealer to get you only that part.

On the rear view mirror, pop the little tab and pull off the
wiring. The black wire should have a good ground on it. If
not, it goes foofoo or worse and the rest of this test is
of no use.

Then turn on ignition, put transmission in Reverse with Park
brake on. Should have full battery voltage on brown/light green
wire. The purpose of this wire is to inhibit the dim function
when in Reverse. If you don't get full battery voltage, you
probably have bad wiring to the backup lamps. Fun. The
voltage should change when you move the Xmission to Neutral
or Drive with key on.







--
My governor can kick your governor's ***

 

Approximately 11/16/03 17:51, belowme uttered for posterity:

> I work on GM cars and trucks for a living, but the circuits are likely
> pretty similar. The electrochromatic fluid in your mirrors reacts to
> voltage and darkens the mirror. One of the by-products of this system is
> that the LS mirror will start to turn that particular color of yellow after
> awhile. As far as the system operation goes, there is a light sensor,
> usually integral to the inside rear view mirror, that picks up light that is
> directed from behind, such as when a car is behind you at night. This
> photocell transmits the voltage to the little microcircuit inside the
> mirror, and then the mirror determines when to turn the LS mirror on and off
> in conjunction with the inside mirror. They should work in tandem.
>
> If the mirrors are darkening at all times, you likely have a faulty
> photocell, and hence a faulty mirror. On GM vehicles, the inside mirror has
> a little sensor right on the glass portion of the mirror, you can see it.
> If your Jeep is similarly equipped, then I would wager that this is your
> culprit. Perhaps someone else in the group has a better resource for the
> actual location of this photocell. At any rate, double check what I am
> telling you with the parts guy at the dealership before you buy anything.

The cell is on the mirror. The mirror should lighten and darken
as the Xmission is switched to Reverse [inhibit darken] or if the
light is blocked in drive or neutral with key on, presuming a bad
wiring in the notorious backup lights isn't buggering up the mirrors.

There are two sensors. The forward facing one checks for ambient
light, the rear for the dimming. The forward sensor is off center
on the forward face of the mirror across from the plug. To test,
completely block that sensor with a couple layers of black electrical
tape. Then shine a light into the rear facing sensor [located at
the top center of the mirror face] and the mirror should darken.
Shift to Reverse and should lighten. Repeat until you get bored.


--
My governor can kick your governor's ***

 

Approximately 11/16/03 17:51, belowme uttered for posterity:

> I work on GM cars and trucks for a living, but the circuits are likely
> pretty similar. The electrochromatic fluid in your mirrors reacts to
> voltage and darkens the mirror. One of the by-products of this system is
> that the LS mirror will start to turn that particular color of yellow after
> awhile. As far as the system operation goes, there is a light sensor,
> usually integral to the inside rear view mirror, that picks up light that is
> directed from behind, such as when a car is behind you at night. This
> photocell transmits the voltage to the little microcircuit inside the
> mirror, and then the mirror determines when to turn the LS mirror on and off
> in conjunction with the inside mirror. They should work in tandem.
>
> If the mirrors are darkening at all times, you likely have a faulty
> photocell, and hence a faulty mirror. On GM vehicles, the inside mirror has
> a little sensor right on the glass portion of the mirror, you can see it.
> If your Jeep is similarly equipped, then I would wager that this is your
> culprit. Perhaps someone else in the group has a better resource for the
> actual location of this photocell. At any rate, double check what I am
> telling you with the parts guy at the dealership before you buy anything.

The cell is on the mirror. The mirror should lighten and darken
as the Xmission is switched to Reverse [inhibit darken] or if the
light is blocked in drive or neutral with key on, presuming a bad
wiring in the notorious backup lights isn't buggering up the mirrors.

There are two sensors. The forward facing one checks for ambient
light, the rear for the dimming. The forward sensor is off center
on the forward face of the mirror across from the plug. To test,
completely block that sensor with a couple layers of black electrical
tape. Then shine a light into the rear facing sensor [located at
the top center of the mirror face] and the mirror should darken.
Shift to Reverse and should lighten. Repeat until you get bored.


--
My governor can kick your governor's ***

 

Approximately 11/16/03 17:51, belowme uttered for posterity:

> I work on GM cars and trucks for a living, but the circuits are likely
> pretty similar. The electrochromatic fluid in your mirrors reacts to
> voltage and darkens the mirror. One of the by-products of this system is
> that the LS mirror will start to turn that particular color of yellow after
> awhile. As far as the system operation goes, there is a light sensor,
> usually integral to the inside rear view mirror, that picks up light that is
> directed from behind, such as when a car is behind you at night. This
> photocell transmits the voltage to the little microcircuit inside the
> mirror, and then the mirror determines when to turn the LS mirror on and off
> in conjunction with the inside mirror. They should work in tandem.
>
> If the mirrors are darkening at all times, you likely have a faulty
> photocell, and hence a faulty mirror. On GM vehicles, the inside mirror has
> a little sensor right on the glass portion of the mirror, you can see it.
> If your Jeep is similarly equipped, then I would wager that this is your
> culprit. Perhaps someone else in the group has a better resource for the
> actual location of this photocell. At any rate, double check what I am
> telling you with the parts guy at the dealership before you buy anything.

The cell is on the mirror. The mirror should lighten and darken
as the Xmission is switched to Reverse [inhibit darken] or if the
light is blocked in drive or neutral with key on, presuming a bad
wiring in the notorious backup lights isn't buggering up the mirrors.

There are two sensors. The forward facing one checks for ambient
light, the rear for the dimming. The forward sensor is off center
on the forward face of the mirror across from the plug. To test,
completely block that sensor with a couple layers of black electrical
tape. Then shine a light into the rear facing sensor [located at
the top center of the mirror face] and the mirror should darken.
Shift to Reverse and should lighten. Repeat until you get bored.


--
My governor can kick your governor's ***