Rear View Mirror

[m_hagger]

Dear All,

My rear view mirror has suddenly developed a line horizontally across its surface. On one side there is a discolouring to a whole area along the top of the glass that looks as though something has gone wrong with the auto-dipping. It looks similar to photo-sensitive sunglasses that have been outside. The glass appears normal elsewhere on the mirror.

Has anyone else experienced this? Does it require a whole new mirror unit, or is it possible to just replace the glass surface?

[MarkyM]

A whole new mirror I'm afraid

You've no stated your year of car... from memory they weren't available before 98 and if a newer style mirror has been fitted to an older car the mirror will eventually melt down. Something to do with the 4 pin only switching the electrochromatic on with auto lights...if you car doesn't have auto lights then it stays on permenantly causing the meltdown.

If however your car is a later 4 pin model then no probs except that they do fail...they are normally on Ebay for around £70 but ensure you get the right part no for your car

Regards

Mark

Burnham (on Sea)
Somerset

[m_hagger]

Thanks Marky.

I have a '98 model that has auto lights as standard, so I guess this is just a failure based on time, rather than a retro fit of a new mirror to an older car.

Had a quick look on eBay and found one adverstised at £60. The seller also included comprehensive notes on the problems of 8-pin versus 4-pin mirrors and the importance of getting the right one!

Thanks for your help!

[GrandTourer]

Welcome to the forum, m_hagger
I am glad that, thanks to Mark, you have already been helped.
Let us know, how you got on when you have fitted the mirror.

[m_hagger]

Have held off buying a new mirror for the time being. Although it is 'stuck' in dipped mode, the mirror itself is still ok with no real loss of visibility. Might think about replacing it when I'm feeling a little more flush after Xmas!

[Sharfrs2]

I've heard that these mirrors are covered by the manufacturer lifetime warranty. If you give them a call they will send you a new one in return for the old mirror. Unfortunately I can't remember the name of the company

[MyQuest]

Checking the Jag-lovers website (great forum --oops!), I note that USA cars have mirrors made by Donnelly. They have a good name and as stated give a life-time guarantee.

If UK mirrors are the same, check out: http://www.donnelly.com/

Michael

[MyQuest]

Checking the Jag-lovers website (great forum --oops!), I note that USA cars have mirrors made by Donnelly. They have a good name and as stated give a life-time guarantee.

If UK mirrors are the same, check out: http://www.donnelly.com/

Michael

[painter]

I've often wondered what happened to my CD/Radio unit, thought a passenger had spilt nail varnish or similar, but from the description on this topic it seems as though my mirror has 'burst' and leaked. Same symptoms as described, with discolouration within rear view mirror area, and pressing the auto button achieves nothing.
My car is 96, so I guess a retro fit and suppose this means no warranty. Are they worth replacing and can they now be fitted to 96 models?

[painter]

what advantage do the 'bursting' mirrors have over a standard rear view mirror. Is it an electronic auto dimming process? and what is the 'corrosive' liquid inside. Further to last post I assume it is still not possible to fit the upgraded mirror, but seems a shame to 'downgrade'

[MarkyM]

I think it is possible to retrofit even to cars that didn't have it, but I figure it must be connected to an ambient light sensor or else set up to only come on when your lights are on.

I had one connected to my 96 before it melted down but is still in situ disconnected with only a small off-coloured bubble an indicating that it's frazzled.

Mark

[pjnews]

Hi
Am pleased to report that I was recently able to obtain a replacement rear view mirror for my Nov 96 coupe through the local Jaguar dealer at no cost.

[mike020150]

Well done! We like good news like that. Mike.