hey everyone, just got a 2004 rx330 from a family member. Upon receiving the car, the passenger side mirror appears to be stuck on dim. It's got a bronze/yellow hue over it, it isn't hazy or anything. Day or night, it's always the same colour!

I did some searching and it seems to suggest either the gasket holding the gel has cracked and leaked out or the dim feature is busted? I did press on the mirror with a finger and didn't notice any colour change.


Could I just buy a replacement side mirror only (no housing) that has auto chrome and heat and just replace my existing?

Or is there another path I should be following

I have attached a picture

thanks a ton!

 

Perhaps your best bet would be the wreckers,
I try mostly U-pick junk yards since you gain valuable experience from taking parts off those vehicles before actually working on your own if you are fortunate to find with a matching color (in this case).
Then again, if your not too picky & are handy with a paint spray can, your odds are better.

 

Thanks for replying!

I found a mirror (just the glass) online that has autodim/heat/memory, replacing just the glass should be okay right? just wanted confirmation.

 

I imagine it will be fine although most likely more difficult to do than replacing the entire mirror, but doable. Post your progress with your DIY, definitely a interesting project to follow.

 

Will do!

I found some youtube videos on how to remove, seems not too difficult. Does anyone have any more tips to removing the mirror?

(go 40 seconds in)

(also 40 seconds in)

 

Certainly not as complicated as I thought it would be, piece of cake as long as you have patient & careful skinny fingers.

 

Be careful with the glass. It is filled with fluid.