Hi,

 

How does the auto dimming mirror work? It has sensors at both sides, both front and back? In previous vehicles I've had, I could make the mirror dim by covering/shining a torch at the sensor on the back (mirror side) but this one has a sensor at the front as well? 

 

Reason for wanting to know is that I want to fix a forward facing camera to the mirror, ideally on the passenger side, but there's a sensor there?

What is that sensor for?

 

Cheers, Daniel

The sensor is for the auto dimming, it basically compares the light brightness in front and behind the mirror. Putting a dashcam infront of it might cause issues but if it does, you can always move the dashcam ;)

 

When I fitted my cam, I put it on the drivers side to avoid the sensor.

Cheers Langers!

Do you know what it actually senses and if it ties in with the rest of the car's systems like the auto headlights?

 

 

Edited 6 March, 20206 yr by Daniel_Bos

It's only used for the dimming rear view mirror and dimming wing mirrors (if fitted). As the rear view mirror doesn't have CAN-bus or any other communication channel with the car, nothing else cna use the data :)

 

The auto headlights are controlled by the RLS (rain light sensor) which is seperate.

3 minutes ago, langers2k said:

t's only used for the dimming rear view mirror and dimming wing mirrors (if fitted). As the rear view mirror doesn't have CAN-bus or any other communication channel with the car, nothing else cna use the data

 

So if I interpret this correctly all I need to convert to an autodim rear view mirror (MY08 preFL Octy) is a 12v feed? Plus, of course, any necessary plastics/fittings.

 

8 minutes ago, StickyMicky said:

So if I interpret this correctly all I need to convert to an autodim rear view mirror (MY08 preFL Octy) is a 12v feed? Plus, of course, any necessary plastics/fittings.

 

If I remember correctly, the auto dimming mirors have the following connections:

- power

- ground

- reversing lights

- interior lights

- dimming wing mirrors

 

It should work with just power/ground but it may dim if the reverse lights or interior lights are on.

 

You need to check you have the correct bracket attached to your windscreen. Most 'standard' mirrors have a round puck to attach to whereas the auto-dimming mirrors use a different mount that's large enough to take the rain light sensor too. It is possible to remove the old mount and fit the correct one but it's probably easier to wait until your windscreen needs replacing to get the correct bracket fiited.

41 minutes ago, langers2k said:

 

If I remember correctly, the auto dimming mirors have the following connections:

- power

- ground

- reversing lights

- interior lights

- dimming wing mirrors

 

It should work with just power/ground but it may dim if the reverse lights or interior lights are on.

 

You need to check you have the correct bracket attached to your windscreen. Most 'standard' mirrors have a round puck to attach to whereas the auto-dimming mirrors use a different mount that's large enough to take the rain light sensor too. It is possible to remove the old mount and fit the correct one but it's probably easier to wait until your windscreen needs replacing to get the correct bracket fiited.

 

Sounds like a project too far for the moment!  Thanks for the detailed response.

1 hour ago, langers2k said:

It's only used for the dimming rear view mirror and dimming wing mirrors (if fitted). As the rear view mirror doesn't have CAN-bus or any other communication channel with the car, nothing else can use the data

 

The auto headlights are controlled by the RLS (rain light sensor) which is separate.

Thanks, It'll probably not obscure it fully anyway, so i'll just see what happens.