How to disable auto-diming mirror?

lukasbmw · 06-22-2013, 02:25 AM

I hate my auto dimming mirror.

I have 20% tint all the way around which is fine during the day, but at night, when you combine my tint with the auto dimming mirror, I can't see anything other then faint headlights in my rear view mirror which means I can't see cops!

Is there any way to "disable" the auto diming feature? I imagine it might be possible with some minor wire modifications?

VTECaddict · 06-22-2013, 02:30 AM

Cover the sensor on the upper middle of the mirror with some black tape.

lukasbmw · 06-22-2013, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

Cover the sensor on the upper middle of the mirror with some black tape.

Wouldn't that make it dim all the time? The mirror senses darkness and dims when it gets too dark...right?

Hally_89 · 06-22-2013, 04:09 AM

No the mirror only dims when it senses that its dark and there is light shining on it i.e. cars headlights. It doesn't remain dimmed at night.

lukasbmw · 06-22-2013, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hally_89

No the mirror only dims when it senses that its dark and there is light shining on it i.e. cars headlights. It doesn't remain dimmed at night.

Well I'll be damned. You really do learn something new every day.

In that case, I'm going to cover that bitch up like a dad does to his slutty teenage daughter on high school dance night.

Otruba_843 · 06-22-2013, 09:34 AM

Yup, the rear facing sensor in the middle picks up light and when it senses light it dims the mirror. The sensor on the front passenger side picks up the darkness to compare the lights that the rear sensor senses telling it when to dim.

Chris_506 · 06-22-2013, 09:41 AM

just take all the mirrors off, problem solved and weight reduction at the same time

06-22-2013, 02:25 AM	#1
lukasbmw Beach Bum 95 Rep 210 Posts Drives: 2010 328i / 2005 C55 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: San Diego CA / Phoenix AZ iTrader: (1)	How to disable auto-diming mirror? I hate my auto dimming mirror. I have 20% tint all the way around which is fine during the day, but at night, when you combine my tint with the auto dimming mirror, I can't see anything other then faint headlights in my rear view mirror which means I can't see cops! Is there any way to "disable" the auto diming feature? I imagine it might be possible with some minor wire modifications? __________________ 2018 340i - lease returned 2008 335i - sold 2006 SL55 - Sold 2004 SL600 - Sold 1999 540i - Sold
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06-22-2013, 02:30 AM	#2
VTECaddict Where'd my VTEC go? 481 Rep 6,067 Posts Drives: 06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (4)	Cover the sensor on the upper middle of the mirror with some black tape. __________________ AW/Terra \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| iDrive \| CA Mods: BC BR coilovers \| Blacklines \| M-tech rear \| dual exhaust \| M3 steering wheel \| BMW SSK \| ZHP shift knob \| High-kick CF spoiler \| NBT Retrofit M3 front control arms \| M3 rear guide rods \| Manzo rear toe and camber links \| Monroe rear shock mounts \| Varrstoen ES1 19x9.5+20 Front, 19x11+25 rear
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06-22-2013, 04:09 AM	#4
Hally_89 New Member 0 Rep 27 Posts Drives: 2007 320D M Sport Join Date: May 2013 Location: Ireland iTrader: (0)	No the mirror only dims when it senses that its dark and there is light shining on it i.e. cars headlights. It doesn't remain dimmed at night.
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06-22-2013, 09:34 AM	#6
Otruba_843 Lieutenant Colonel 93 Rep 1,509 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Egg Harbor - Athens iTrader: (0)	Yup, the rear facing sensor in the middle picks up light and when it senses light it dims the mirror. The sensor on the front passenger side picks up the darkness to compare the lights that the rear sensor senses telling it when to dim. __________________ 2009 E90 328i Monaco Blue premium/idrive/convience/logic-7/cold weather/ xenons/ saddle brown interior
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06-22-2013, 09:41 AM	#7
Chris_506 Colonel 241 Rep 2,705 Posts Drives: 2016 f82 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Central Florida iTrader: (13)	just take all the mirrors off, problem solved and weight reduction at the same time
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