My original auto dimming mirror lasted 11 years before developing a "blob" behind the glass. The car was kept in an garage that pretty much matched the outside temperatures. I replaced the damaged mirror with a new mirror in December 2013. That mirror is the one I just had fixed, and it developed a "blob" behind the glass in just 4.5 years. The car has been kept in a different garage over that entire 4.5 years, and that garage stays pretty cool relative to the hot outside summer temperatures; it's a completely finished garage with insulation in all the walls and ceiling, and it has fully insulated garage doors. It also has complete shade from trees in my yard.

Do you think the "cool" garage to "hot" Atlanta summer temperatures may be the cause of the shorter lifespan of the mirror?

 

Next question: Has anyone replaced the auto dimming rear view mirror with a 996 non-auto dimming rear view mirror (the one where there is no fluid inside and you just flip the lever to switch between daytime and night time settings)?

 

 

I wonder how long these "new" mirrors have been sitting on the shelf for, before being sold. Potentially it could be years which may explain why your second mirror only 4.5 years.

 

That's a great question.

 

Feel free to post up any of that information in this thread.

 

The blob just happened to my mirror... It sat in the heat outside while I was working in the garage this past weekend. I had the sunshade on, but the windows were rolled up and I guess the heat got it.

So, the fluid in the mirror sounds nasty. I guess I'll try sending it to Radar Mirror and see how that works out.

Kinda interested in any info on Non-Adjusting mirrors, on ebay the shape looks way different. Wondering if the mount is different too?

 

The manually adjusted mirror replacement is on my list of things to research. If you find out anything please post up the information.

Good luck with the repair of your mirror. If it doesn't leak during shipment, it should turn out just fine.

 

 

After seeing what the acid can do to very hard plastic (the mirror plastic), I certainly want to avoid ever getting it on the interior parts of my car.

Here is a quote from the link you posted:

"Would you carry a bottle of Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4 for all you chemistry majors out there), a highly corrosive acid, in your car? No, you say? Well, you might as well be! You are literally carrying a container of corrosive acid in your car and it's actually hanging right in front of you every time you get in the car!"

 

 

Another possible solution....

 

From what I found in my research, interior rear view mirrors are not required here in Georgia. Maybe it's time to see if I can remove the mirror and still have a clean look with the rain sensor on the windshield

 

the non auto dimming mirror will work if it has the same mounting large circle to cover the wiper delay circuit board. cost for them is about 75$

 

$75 is cheaper than $475 to replace, and the $100 plus shipping to repair. But really, I'm unsure of fixing this potentially nasty / dangerous item, and going to something that works with no danger, or potential for this happening again.

There is also one in my LX470, it sits outside all the time, and is the same year, 2002, no issues, yet...