Auto-dimming mirror stopped working, suggestions?

[scott78945]

I just noticed the other morning, as I was blinded by someones headlights, that my auto-dimming mirror stopped working. It appears to have no power going to it. I put this in myself and it has worked flawlessly for almost 3 years and all of a sudden nothing. I checked the connection and all appears to be good. Any suggestions as to how I can check the mirror itself to see if the mirror just died or if its the connection? Is there any other port I can connect this into? Thanks.

 

[drmorbius]

I just noticed the other morning, as I was blinded by someones headlights, that my auto-dimming mirror stopped working. It appears to have no power going to it. I put this in myself and it has worked flawlessly for almost 3 years and all of a sudden nothing. I checked the connection and all appears to be good. Any suggestions as to how I can check the mirror itself to see if the mirror just died or if its the connection? Is there any other port I can connect this into? Thanks.

Is the green led on? If not the 12volts or ground isn't making it.

 

[scott78945]

Nope, no lights are on at all. I installed it as specified here and hooked it up to the brown/red wire. Like I said, all of a sudden it stopped working. Strange.

 

[jharris2]

You've gone back and double-checked all the connections? Just trying to ensure the obvious wasn't overlooked?

 

[scott78945]

Yeah, the connections are all set. I checked where I tapped into the brown wire and the wire going into the mirror itself. No go.

 

[jharris2]

Yeah, the connections are all set. I checked where I tapped into the brown wire and the wire going into the mirror itself. No go.

Next thing I'd try is to use a multimeter at the plug by the mirror. If there is no power, then work backwards to the source to find out where the failure is. If there is power at the plug, then it's either a faulty connection (maybe look for corrosion or that a contact is not right) or a failed mirror.

Perhaps the Gentex web site has some diagnostic information, too.

 

[drmorbius]

Yeah, the connections are all set. I checked where I tapped into the brown wire and the wire going into the mirror itself. No go.

There are 2 wires down in the drivers kick panel if you did it the normal way, one goes to the brown wire the other (the ground wire) goes to a screw that is screwed into metal. Did you check the ground wire?

 

[scott78945]

I have checked the ground and all is good but still not working. Any other suggestions as how I can figure out if this thing is actually working or broke? I don't want to take the Runner to the dealership just to find out its broke. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[jharris2]

I have checked the ground and all is good but still not working. Any other suggestions as how I can figure out if this thing is actually working or broke? I don't want to take the Runner to the dealership just to find out its broke. Any help would be appreciated.

Have you measured for voltage at the mirror? We need to track back to see if it's an electrical or electronic problem.

 

[Mike07SE]

Is there any voltage coming into the mirror from the harness. Key question here. If so, then mirror is bad. Go to junkyard and find a mirror from a Tahoe/Suburban. EXACT same mirror. Cost me only a couple of bucks at my local u pick/u pull yard. Should be good pickings right about now after this CARS program...:bash:.

 

[scott78945]

Next thing I'd try is to use a multimeter at the plug by the mirror. If there is no power, then work backwards to the source to find out where the failure is. If there is power at the plug, then it's either a faulty connection (maybe look for corrosion or that a contact is not right) or a failed mirror.

Perhaps the Gentex web site has some diagnostic information, too.

Never used a multimeter before. Can you recommend a good one to buy?

 

[Mike07SE]

In your case, I'd start off fairly cheap. Basically so you can get some DC output numbers.

 

[jharris2]

In your case, I'd start off fairly cheap. Basically so you can get some DC output numbers.

+1

You can get some inexpensive multimeters at Home Depot or Sears. At this point, you're really measuring to see if the electricity is making it to the mirror. If you don't have voltage at the harness where it plugs into the mirror, then you know that there is a problem with the power supply leading to the mirror. If you have power there, then the connections are good and it's the mirror that has the problem.

 

[scott78945]

Ok,thanks guys. I'll try it out.