Hello,

I just recently purchased a used electrochromatic rearview mirror from a '92 SSE (thanks, Roadtest!) and of course now that I've done a little bit of reading, it seems that the task at hand may be a bit bigger than I imagined.

1.) First, what'* the most effective way of removing the old mirror?

2.) Next, what'* the best type of adhesive to attach the new mirror?

And finally, the biggest problem, is supplying power to the mirror. I would assume that would require removing the headliner and finding power up there. So one question is:

3.) How would I remove the headliner?

I've read that you'd have to remove the windshield, and that is NOT something I'd like to do. The other question is, the mirror will need juice, but only at night, so I was thinking of tapping into the power that runs up the the foglamp switch (I never use the foglamps anyway). Do you guys think this will work?

Sorry for all the questions, but it seems that the logistics of performing this operation were a tad more complicated than I thought they'd initially be. Many thanks in advance for any advice that anybody would have for me.

Regards,
Stoopid

Don't know how to remove it other than carefully prying the old one off. Can't you leave the base, and replace just the arm? Did the harness shroud come with the new one?

Use mirror adhesive to reattach if you can't use the old base. Auto parts store.

Don't remove the headliner. Remove the left A-pillar trim, and run your wire up through it from under the dash, then tuck it into the headliner above the windshield. That'* how I pulled my Radar detector power. Power it day and night. It has an on/off switch for that reason, but I leave mine on all the time. It has a photocell to determine whether it'* daylight or night. Fully automatic. Run it off an ACC switched source. In simpler terms, if the ignition is on, the mirror is on. If the ignition is off, the mirror is off.

You should be able to use the same mounting plate for the new mirror as the old. Normally, there'* just a small set screw that holds the mirror in place.

The parts store will have this. But basically, it'* just the Gel type Crazy Glue. A quick dry epoxy would work well too. Just done go banananas with it. "A little dab will do ya"

Does your car have the overhead accessory outlet? Probably a better bet than the switch. I think Will can answer this for ya best, as I've never been up inside this area...

Beat ya.

Damn, you guys are fast! Thanks for all the info. Now it seems a lot easier than what I initially had in mind. The mirror actually hasn't arrived yet, but hoping that it'll be here later today (1:30am here on the East Coast) or tomorrow.

I was hoping for an EC mirror with the compass built into it, like my mom'* LeSabre has, but beggars can't be choosers, now can we?

The compass would have made it alot more difficult. Make sure you get a harness shroud for it if it doesn't come with it. It makes for a much cleaner installation.

But I put more effort into mine....

Do you have a sunroof? You could get power from the sunroof switch. If not, you need to run a line that is hot when the ignition is on. You also need to run a line from the R gear selector so that the mirror becomes visible again when you try to back up.

Well I think I'm gonna decide to go with Will'* idea and just run a wire up the A-pillar. Playing with the headliner is something that'* too much effort for something this small.

One more question: does anybody know the pinout for the connectors? On the mirror itself (if look at it from behind), there is a three-prong connector, and to the right of it, a two-prong connector. All I'm interested in is finding the two pins that are necessary for 12V operation (I can turn it off myself when I'm reversing).

Unfortunately, it did not come with the wire shroud, so I'll have to dig one up for that nice clean stock look. I'll post pictures and procedures this weekend when I get around to getting the job done.

Thanks again!
Stoopid

Search for the pinout. Fuddy posted it in the last month.