I find the auto-dimming mirror a complete waste of time.  It has a photocell at the front just under the mirror itself, which detects light coming from behind me, and another at the back of the mirror, detecting light coming towards me. if the the light from behind me is brighter than the light from the front it dims. (At least this is how I assumes it works.)

I often have to drive at night along a busy, dark road. It is a fast and difficult road and I am often dazzled by headlights from behind.  The mirror refuses to dim because (I think) the headlights coming towards me are just as dazzling as those from behind.

The solution is (I think) to cover the sensor at the back of the mirror. This will force the mirror to dim whenever i turn on the dimming function.

 

Has anyone else had this problem, and how did you solve it ?

 

KK

 

 

On my fl 03 there is a sensor at the back but none at the front.

 

Correction; just popped out and checked; the mirror does have a rear facing sensor but it is behind the glass and is visible at the centre of the top of the frame  when a bright light is shone on it. Haven't noticed it dimming much but this may be to do with the sunset glass in the rear window. Mirror has no activation/deactivation switch.

The sensor on the back of the mirror is to detect daylight, to stop it from dimming during the day.

My car was supposed to come with the auto-dimming mirror, but it wasn't included, so I have to make do with the manual.

I wish I had been able to get the manual, but the auto was part of the spec

55 minutes ago, YMe said:

On my fl 03 there is a sensor at the back but none at the front.

 

Correction; just popped out and checked; the mirror does have a rear facing sensor but it is behind the glass and is visible at the centre of the top of the frame  when a bright light is shone on it. Haven't noticed it dimming much but this may be to do with the sunset glass in the rear window. Mirror has no activation/deactivation switch.

Mine has a switch at the bottom turns auto-dimming on/off

39 minutes ago, Trebor77 said:

Mine has a switch at the bottom turns auto-dimming on/off

 

Do you get a green light when turned on ?

yes I think so, will check later

31 minutes ago, Auric Goldfinger said:

 

Do you get a green light when turned on ?

 

No I usually get something else... 

7 minutes ago, ahenners said:

 

No I usually get something else... 

 

Trust you, Smut,    

 

Might show Mrs G the " Green " Light to see what reaction I get........................

I have the auto dimming rear view mirror too: just note if you fit a dash cam with a small display screen ensure it isn't anywhere near the sensor on the rear of the mirror as it stops it from auto dimming, as I found out :(

 

Easiest way is as OP said, is to block the sensor and it will be permanently dimmed bit of blutac.

 

BTW I'm happy with how my auto dimming mirror operates, most the time