Ok, so i have a 97 sc400, and it auto tints my sideview mirors and rear view miror when it detects car headlights behind me, im sure some of you guys out there have it too. Anyway, the rear view one works like a charm, kinda green, ugg, but it works. My problem is this: during the day or when no headlights are detected, my right side view miror has discoloration, so its broken obviously. But when at night and the autotint goes into action, the rear view works ok, then the right miror, the broken one, turns clear with no tint like its supposed to be normally during the day, and the left miror does nothing, ever. How should i start to troubleshoot this problem? especially the left one? Any input appreciated

Thanks
Nick

 

i didnt know sc has auto tinting side mirrors

 

i know mine doesnt ... btw hey xi whats up i told you i would come here.... havent seen you in a while . congrats on the sc

 

It may have been an option in 97+ sc400s.Not for sure,though

 

yep
it's great

I mean it was

 

Holy crap! I never knew they came with auto tinting side mirrors. I thought it was just the rear-view in the cabin.

Could these be retrofitted to a car that didn't come with them?

To the OP- it happens with age. Alot of members who have the auto-dimming rear view mirrors have problems with them now. I think they describe it as being dark and blotchy. I don't remember the thread it was discussed in.

You might be able to consider it a 'safety' thing and have it checked out by your dealer if you purchased a warrantee when you bought your car. If you haven't purchased a warrantee, I highly reccomend it. You've owned at least one other Lexus, so you know that this stuff is super expensive when it comes time to replace/repair anything.

 

Hmmm . I think my 96sc has the auto tint rear view mirror. I was driving at night last week (my sunday pleasure car) & was wondering about it. I thought this is odd its like the hummer rear view auto tint mirror.... I never thought much about it untill I saw this post.

& speaking of mirrors.
Somehow I cant adjust the side mirrors. Maybe its a fuse ? I still have to learn more about this car

 

I've got them on my car too. Auto dimming rear-view and side mirrors. I assumed it was stock on SC's. You'll prolly need to take it to the dealer to get checked.

 

thanks for the responses guys, not sure what years they came with, maybe check intellexual

i was hoping to diagnose it myself and not get raped by the dealership maybe they would diagnose it for free assuming that i would have them fix it right away? i never go to the dealerships except to buy parts, so not sure how it works. Basically no warentee, so no dealership. I dont even want to know how much a new side view miror would cost, ill try and hit up the specialized "salvage" yards and see what i can fish. But if any of you guys find out a way to diagnose the problem before i go to the dealership or shell out the cash for new/used ones, that would be great, especially for my left view miror that does nothing, ever.

rion - hey man yeah havent seen you in a while either, i stopped visiting the stl forums because a lot of the people there are extremely annoying and immature, not to mention throw out false information all the time, its a useless forum other than it being local. good to see you on CL though!

thanks,
nick

 

me either. i thought it was only the rear view mirror

 

Yeah.....but after the novelty wears off....they are more of a pain in the butt.
.....I find my self hittin the button on the rear view Constantly.

If you have a dark car next to you.....you cant see it. (more of a twilight / dusk problem)

 

Auto dim Side rear view mirror? Probably, they came with 99-00 models.


For an inside cabin rear view mirror :

I have a 95SC and it came with a manual electric dimming rear view mirror (You have to push the button on the mirror everytime after you started the engine to activate the dimming) 96 or older models came with this one.

I recently upgraded with a 97 rear view mirror that I got from CL member. This one comes with an AUTO electric dimming feature. It has light sensers in front and back of the mirror. It dims itself when it is dark outside and the light is coming from rear side.

It is so nice. I do not have to push the button any more. Good cheap upgrade for 96 or older model.

 

I have a 96 and the button is always on and the side mirrors dim also, maybe it's just an option?

 

Sorry, it is 95 and older model. It does not have a little green light next to button. It is manual button that you have to push on every time after starting the engine.