406 auto dimming rear mirror broke

[SAB206]

Hi all.

I don't actually own a 406, I own a 206 GTi180. However I recently what i believe is a 406 Rear view mirror that auto dims.

Looks like this

Not my car, but the mirror is identical



However I wired it up, tested it by holding my finger over the rear sensor on the mirror.

And noticed that only the central part of the mirror dims?

Has anyone experienced this, or know of any fixes at all?

I appreciate all of your help.

Thanks.

[mjb]

It means you need a new mirror I'm afraid.

[HimBigChief]

Feel free to sell me your broken one cheap though!

[mjb]

Can have my old one if you really want - it's just a big single-pixel LCD screen in front of the mirror, and the problem is the liquid crystal fails or leaks out making it completely useless and non-fixable

[highlander]

Interestingly enough, this is the technology that Boeing are using in replacement of window shutters on their new 787 Dreamliner widebody passenger jet.

The idea is that there is a weight saving (good for fuel economy) and that you can adjust the amount of light the window lets in (rather than just open, shut, or open a bit, like with a traditional shutter).

Just a FYI, no real relevance involved or implied

[Doggy]

Just wait till the Barry Boys get hold of that concept - variable tints - anything from plod-friendly transparent to super kewl opaque.

Somebody will be selling it soon, I promise you......

[HimBigChief]

Ooh, MJB, I'm going to send you a PM.

[mjb]

By the way, all auto-dimming mirrors from Peugeots/Citroens appear to be the same. The part numbers are slightly different and it applies to the connector and mount. I'll do a HOWTO on this as I took pictures, but in a nutshell you can remove the pins from the connectors, separate the mounts from the mirrors, switch mirrors with your old one, putting the new mirror on the old mount, and put the new mirror's pins into the old connector.

Rumour has it Ford Granada/Scorpio mirrors are the same, although I guess you'd need to cut+splice the connectors.