outside mirror is dimmed all the time

[bilgriff]

I have a 99 with the heated/night dimming outside mirrors. The drivers mirror stays dimmed (it has a green tint) all the time. Does anyone know how these work?

[95ragtop]

The outside dimming mirror is wired to the inside mirror. When the inside mirror dims, the outside dims. The outside may dim quicker if you have dark tinted rear windows. The pin-out on the mirror (from the mirror mount going out) is:
1) 12V ignition
2) ground
3) reverse over-ride (12V when in reverse to clear the dim feature)
4) outside mirror + (1.2V when dimming)
5) outside mirror - (ground)

Make sure you are not blocking the sensor on the back of the mirror (facing towards the front of the vehicle). This is the ambient light sensor. Blocking it puts the mirror into night mode. Any light on the front of the mirror (glare sensor) will then darken it. Good luck.

[bilgriff]

Thanks for the good info. Maybe I have a bad sensor. But it doesn't change when I put it in reverse. It looks like that would over ride the sensors. Do you know how the mirror comes apart?

[BlazerLT]

sounds like a connection is shorted or has fallen out.

Remove the mirror and look.

[95ragtop]

The mirror rear housing and front bezed are snapped together. If you push on the glass near the buttons you should be able to get a grip on the front bezel and slowly pull it off. When your done, it should snap back together. Be carefull to put all the part back in the way they came out. Good Luck.