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        General >> Give/Need advice to/from others >> Interior Mirror
        
(Message started by: Frank on Oct 25th, 2004, 1:50pm)
Title: Interior Mirror
Post by Frank on Oct 25th, 2004, 1:50pm
My interior mirror has the fluid leaking but only within the mirror itself. Fortunately it has yet come out all over the inside of the car. I seem to remember someone on the forum explaining how to change the mirror. I think it's this post but it doesn't work

http://forum.fordscorpio.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=Advice;action=display;num=1070201953;start=0

Anyone changed a mirror? What are the pitfalls?
Thanks.
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by Snoopy on Oct 25th, 2004, 4:12pm
Hi there I did a write up of the way I did my mirror after it leaked initially all over the interior of the car... Bt it seems to have been lost in the voidds of cyberspace since the crash after the florida hurricanes..... I will see if I can reserect it and put it back up somewhere but the thing to remeber is when taking the mirror off the windcreen it pushs off towards the front of the car and NOT to the rear as Ford advise... then its just a case of taking it apart very very carefully and clean all the liquid crystal fluid up.... and then reseal and refit... looks like new but does NOT work..... New one is £130 at last time of checking.... I will repost if I can find the web page

Snoopy
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by Snoopy on Oct 25th, 2004, 4:25pm
I have now put the 'Repair' method I used on a web page for you  
I hope it helps

http://www.bigesmalls.freeserve.co.uk/photo_chromatic_repair.htm

Snoopy
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by Frank on Oct 25th, 2004, 8:31pm
Thanks Snoopy; yes, that's the info I was after. Just one thing, and please forgive me if I'm being dense, but when you say "towards the front of the car" to remove, do you mean push downwards on the mirror? I'd hate to FUBAR the thing completely.  
Thanks again,
Frank
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by jordie4play on Oct 25th, 2004, 8:41pm
        Very interesting info on interior mirrors.I have a problem as well.I fitted a photochromatic mirror in my Scorp as mine had been replaced at some point,the problem is there are three wires coming out of the mirror and the connecting plug has  been snipped off.I would like to find out which is pos, which is neg.and is the third wire an earth?I'd be grateful for any advice.           Jordie....... ???            
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by bertie on Oct 25th, 2004, 9:30pm
you have 1x pos
               1x neg
                1x reverse light powered so it doesn't dip in reverse

hope this helps

simon
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by Snoopy on Oct 26th, 2004, 7:12am
Hi Frank, In reply to your question  YES when sitting in the car the mirror has to removed by sliding it off the mounting away from you  i.e. towards the front of the car. Can't explain it any better than that.

Be VERY, VERY, careful as it oh so easy to crack the windscreen, as some of the members on here have discovered.....to their dismay......
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by Frank on Oct 26th, 2004, 12:48pm
:o
Thank you sir;  I'll give it a go.
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by jordie4play on Oct 26th, 2004, 4:24pm
Thanks to Simon for the info. the three wires from the mirror are white, black and grey, what I would like to know is which is live and which is negative.
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by geordievin on Oct 26th, 2004, 7:21pm
Just bought my scorpio and still working it out.
This fancy mirror, mine is clear in the daytime but always dark at night is this right  ???
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by Snoopy on Oct 26th, 2004, 7:45pm
I wil try to work out the wiring and post it here but NO promises......
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by philgood on Oct 26th, 2004, 7:48pm
I've lost the auto dimming function of my mirror and am just waiting for the goo to apear!!

Does any one know of a supplier of just the mirror (Glass bit)? As I understand that a replacement assembly is quite expensive.
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by Snoopy on Oct 26th, 2004, 7:55pm
Mine was like that for several months before eventually leaking as you can see on the pictures.. be aware that it does make a terrible mess on plastic trim   suggest doing what I do now and leave a towl across the centre consul when its parked up.... It is not possible to just replace the glass as its all sealed as can be seen on the write up.. unless of course you have another idea... If it has lost the auto im feature it will eventually fail like mine so either remove it soon or take precautions.
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by Paul B on Oct 26th, 2004, 9:03pm

on 10/26/04 at 19:21:45, geordievin wrote:
Just bought my scorpio and still working it out.
This fancy mirror, mine is clear in the daytime but always dark at night is this right  ???


Yes, that sounds as if its doing its job.
You should have a small green light lit at the bottom of the mirror - this tells you that its turned on.
An you should, of course, notice that you're not being dazzled by the car behind!
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by philgood on Oct 27th, 2004, 2:38pm
Thanks Snoopy

I’ll take precautions for now until I find a replacement assembly.

I was hopping that I could strip down the mirror assy. As the write up, and replace just the mirror glass, at a fraction of the complete assembly cost! Well I can dream!!!

Thanks
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by Snoopy on Oct 27th, 2004, 7:41pm
You can remove the LCD liquid from between the plates of glass and then loose the auto dimming feature...  but I don't reallt think its worth rying to replace the innards of the mirror.. If you get a second hand one the same thing is likely to happen again within time.. It is a know failure point... There is also a conventional dipping mirror available but it requires s differnt windscreen boss as kar as I am aware...... Easy to fit though...

Any windscreen fitter will do it for a couple of beer tokens......well may be folding money...
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by philgood on Oct 29th, 2004, 11:26pm
I’m surprised that no one has come across a supplier of the said mirror.
Surly Fords do not manufacture the mirror glass; some one must make it for them!
But I wouldn’t know where to start looking!!!
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by Just Call Me Captain on Oct 30th, 2004, 8:42am
Try this link - full of mirrors etc etc

http://www.rpminnovations.com/rearview_mirrors.htm


Michael ( Captain )
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by philgood on Nov 6th, 2004, 10:01pm
For your information I contacted gotmirrors.com with the reply below. What are your thoughts on this? (Sorry I don’t know how to attach an email correctly)

Hi.
I live in the U.K. and own a Ford Scorpio Ultima.
This vehicle has, as standard, an auto dimming rear view mirror. This mirror has now failed and I am enquiring as to whether you can supply a direct replacement unit.Please follow the short cut below for more information on the mirror in question.
http://www.bigesmalls.freeserve.co.uk/photo_chromatic_repair.htm
According to the owners club in the UK this is a known problem area, so several units may be required. Could you give me a unit price inc. delivery? as well as a multi order pricing if different? Regards Phil.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello,

We do not have a direct replacement for your vehicle.
We do however sell a universal base auto dimming mirror for $98.99. This is part number 36100 and can be viewed on our website at www.gotmirrors.com.
Any further questions please email me.
Julie
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by craig on Nov 7th, 2004, 7:41am
phil

would it not be best to ..
1.keep an eye on e-bay,they can and do come up for auction quite regularly,keep within your budget though,dont be going bid crazy just to win one...
and
2.try contacting a few breakers (cars are being broken on this site),they are not as rare as other things you know (steering wheels not mentioned ;)),just my thoughts,having just had a look at the universal one,thats my opinion anyway....

good luck with it..

craig..
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by Snoopy on Nov 8th, 2004, 7:42am
IMHO it is only a matter of time before ALL these photochromatic mirrors start to fail like any LCD screen they do have a terminal life span. I do not think replacing with a second hand one is a very good idea as tsome of the members will confirm that even after putting in a 'new' one its failed again.. but the Ford one cost is really quite prohibitive....

Snoopy
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by mr._floppy on Nov 16th, 2004, 1:10pm
As  a  newby,  I'm a tad  confused ,  rear mirror- fluid??

I know the mirror  dips automatically ,  but  where does the  fluid  come in .


Doh!!!!
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by Snoopy on Nov 16th, 2004, 2:49pm
Thats it!... IT does NOT dip but darkens as the light hits it from the rear.... Have a read of the http://www.bigesmalls.freeserve.co.uk/photo_chromatic_repair.htm  it will hopefully explain it all... But in short there is a fluid between two plates of glass.....inside the mirror.
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by Mmonster on Nov 16th, 2004, 3:53pm
Hi,

Spotted same feature in new Volvo S60.
Mirror looks exactly same, but the AUTO button is missing.
Hopefully it gets more popular, so the price will go down.. maybe.

Mmonster
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by simonmd on Nov 16th, 2004, 5:44pm
Just a thought but do any of the other Ford group models use the same mirror, new Mondeo maybe? Surely Ford did not develop this design just for the Scorpio, maybe one of the US Ford or Lincoln models uses one? After all, some of them do use the same exterior door handles, etc.
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by Snoopy on Nov 16th, 2004, 6:53pm
Do the research and let us ALL know if you find a cheaper  alternative....... I for one will have one
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by Baz on Nov 16th, 2004, 9:48pm
The mirror in my beloveds ugly as sin new Megane looks identical to my Scorpio one but in a light beige colour and without the power button. Apparently, the higher spec cars have the button as well.

Baz
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by simonmd on Nov 18th, 2004, 7:43am
It appears that Jaguar models use an ELECTROCHROMATIC MIRROR so must be at least compatible if not the same on. Can't find any pics as yet though.
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by Dave Boulton on Nov 19th, 2004, 5:35am
Simon,

The same mirror is used in the US - drove Ford and Mercury SUV's out there last year and the mirrors were identical to the Scorpio. Bet they'd be less in US$ than we pay in GBP  :-/

When I explained to the guys I went out there with what they did the response was typically "cor, these yank cars have everything don't they" - they couldn't believe that it had been fitted to the Scorpio nearly 9 years earlier  ;D

Cheers,
Dave

ps. Don't remember the names of the models involved (isn't there an explorer or something?) but they had loads of "Scorpio" features - same O/D off button and identical O/D light for instance. Had to explain that too...  ;)
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by Dave Boulton on Nov 19th, 2004, 6:32am
Ok,

Did a bit of searching - have a look at http://www.mitocorp.com/nvsmirro.htm. They do a whole range of mirrors - some with compass, temp sensor etc. They also have fitting kit for "overseas" fords built before 1998...

The link to the specs/fitting instructions shows what the electrical requirements are:
[th]Wire Color[/th]
[th]Connection[/th]
BlackGround Wire
Red+12V supply switched by ignition
White+12V reversing signal (back-up lights)
Yellow+12V constant power (battery)
BrownConnected to +12V dome light circuit

Now, where are those wiring diagrams...

Dave

BTW, the basic model seems to cost around $100
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by Geoff_W on Nov 19th, 2004, 9:40am
Looks like a really good piece of Kit Dave, that might be the way out as our self dimmers start to pack in.

Geoff
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by daven on Nov 19th, 2004, 1:00pm
Yeah nice find!

Wonder if they do discount for bulk orders!

Anyone care to contact 'em

Daven
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by Snoopy on Nov 19th, 2004, 3:21pm
I have sent an email requesting 'discount' quantities and will post back when I get a reply ... could be interesting.....

Regards
Snoopy
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by Snoopy on Nov 19th, 2004, 6:51pm
I have recieved a good first response from the company concerned and will post further detailos as and when they become available.... but it does sound promising! ;D ;D ;D ;D

Keep you al posted as and when
Snoops
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by Dave Boulton on Nov 19th, 2004, 8:46pm
Brilliant! Has anybody checked if the wiring is compatible with our mirrors though? I could look at a wiring diagram but I'd be left wondering if egg fried rice was included or not  ;D

My mirror now has a definite "line" near the top where it looks a lighter colour. Don't see the point of buying another old one and don't particularly want to wait for the "Alien Blood" all over my centre console!

BTW, I looked at the Ford US site, drew a big blank with "photochromatic" but  stumbled across "photochromic" (life would be much easier if Americans could spell  :o). Then found that "Gentex" are a huge mirror maker (and they look like the Ford ones) and then the link to the site I posted...

Dave

Hmmmm, compass AND temperature sensor  ;)

Also found links to "photochromic", heated side mirrors with built in "flashing chevrons" to tell the muppet along side that you're indicating... This could work out more expensive than buying a basic one from an FMD  ;)

Still haven't found a HUD for the windscreen though... yet!
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by Snoopy on Dec 3rd, 2004, 4:19pm
Here is the reply and the link that they have sent to me/us

Quote:
I apologize for the delay on the Gentex mirror pricing you requested.  I had emailed the information to you last week, but now that I look back at that email, I had your email address wrong!   So, again, I apologize for my error!  



I would definitely love to help you out with the unfortunate situation that is occurring on the Ford Scorpios!  From your original email, you had a link to our Gentex Auto-Dimming rear view mirror.  This is part# 50-GENK2.  The cost for your Ford Scorpio club will be $79.00 US Dollars.  If you purchase 50 or more, your cost will be $64.00!  With shipping costs and the wire transfer process, this price would really help out.  You will also need part# 50-7302023 which is the mount you will need to adhere to the windshield in order to mount the mirror.  This mount is $3.95.    



I would like to make sure that you know there will be a slight installation process on these mirrors.  Many of our day to day retail customers do not realize this and end up returning the mirror because they cannot install it.  The last thing I want is to ship these mirrors out to England and find that the install cannot be done.  I don’t want anyone to be out shipping costs etc.  The wiring is pretty much universal, but in case you have not already done so, I would like for you to take a look at the installation instructions to make sure this is will work smoothly for all of you!  Here’s the link….



http://www.mitocorp.com/mirror_installation.htm



I have put a tracking feature on this email so that I am notified of the delivery to your Inbox!  Please let me know if you have any questions at all!  I hope to hear from you soon!        
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by Paul B on Dec 4th, 2004, 1:14pm
Only 35 quid each then.
This could be a 'go-er'
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by Neil W on Dec 10th, 2004, 6:33pm
This looks interesting, but the key issues seem to be:
1) how easy is it to remove the old base unit glued to the windscreen, and
2) compatability of the wiring harness.

The unit as described on the Mitocorp web site also shows a temperature sensor probe but I guess this could be omitted if preferred.

It seems to me that before Snoopy considers a bulk purchase order we need a brave member to buy one and fit it, in order to find out if there are any snags to what seems like one heck of a bargain.

Any takers?

My mirror is OK, at present  ;D, but no doubt it will fail eventually so I would buy one for the spares box  :).

Neil W.
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by waders on Dec 10th, 2004, 7:29pm
After a look at the wiring diagrams, the standard mirror has three wires, a swiched live, a reverse activated live and a ground(-). (Dave, I couldn't find the crispy duck)

The base model of the mirror in question has the same three connections. The other wiring on the mirror described in this thread are for map lights fitted in the mirror. So if you can get the old mirror off without breaking the screen, it should be an easy replacement!!


8) ;D 8) ;D 8)

Waders
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by desperate on Dec 15th, 2004, 11:29pm

Quote:
This is part# 50-GENK2.  The cost for your Ford Scorpio club will be $79.00 US Dollars.  If you purchase 50 or more, your cost will be $64.00!  With shipping costs and the wire transfer process, this price would really help out.  You will also need part# 50-7302023 which is the mount you will need to adhere to the windshield in order to mount the mirror.  This mount is $3.95.  



Well this sounds perfectly reasonable to me.  Does $79 include shipping ??  Don't forget that i have a mate in the USA who will take delivery and post on at cost as 'returned warranty items' therefor avoiding customs malarky.  This will save 35-40% !!!
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by Snoopy on Dec 16th, 2004, 8:09am
I am sending for one in the new year along with the fixing kit required will post back when I have it...

NO point in doing it before Christmas.....
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by Neil W on Dec 18th, 2004, 3:08pm
Snoopy,

Thanks; I for one will look forward to your report in 2005.

By the way, what has happened to your "strap line"? Your best friend is not, anymore, apparently  :(?

Neil W.
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by philgood on Dec 21st, 2004, 5:11am
Excellent work Snoopy, tracing down this supplier.
I did try to getting hold of a second hand mirror off eBay several times but kept getting out bid. I wasn’t keen on replacing my mirror with a second hand unit any way as it feel that it could fail at any time.
I would definitely be interested in this replacement as my one died several months ago.
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by Snoopy on Jan 14th, 2005, 3:43pm
Here we go... I have just recieved this reply from Gentax re the mirror that I wanted to order..... and as a result I don't think I will be doing it  this way ...
Quote:
We have a company policy to receive payment via wire transfer.  We, unfortunately, cannot accept credit card payments due to problems in the past.  This first mirror will be:



$79.00        50-GENK2

$3.95          50-7302023 (mount)

$25.00        Wire transfer fee

107.95 (+ shipping/handling)



We will ship as soon as the transfer is verified.  Shipping will be via UPS which will be approximately $100.00.  You will then pay the Duties and Taxes to UPS upon delivery of the package.  We are unable to tell what those fees will be, but you should be able to call UPS in the UK to get a quote.  



If you decide to order in bulk, we have decided to bring it down to a required 40 mirrors for the lower price of $64.00 USD.  I guess the mirrors come to us 40 in a box, so it would be easier to just ship you one of those boxes!  Your subtotal will be 2560.00 (USD) + $25.00 wire transfer fee.  The UPS shipping cost will be around $270.00 with the Duties and Taxes due upon delivery.          


I have a contact in the USA and will see if I can get it ordered easier and cheaper that way.. otherwise I will be waiting until Easter when I know there will be someone to collect one for me and then we can try it out...

At these sort of costs it will be cheaper to buy a FORD mirror at trade.... but I am still working on it....
will keep you posted.....
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by daven on Jan 14th, 2005, 4:05pm
£60 for shipping and handling - wow ::)

Are they for real :o

Daven
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by bobtheyop on Jan 15th, 2005, 9:02pm
just to let you know the leak happened on my car,asked
ford the cost of a new one,after i'd stopped laughing went to look in all the local breakers but could'nt find any scorpios.at the time i wasnt aware of this brilliant site,so i thought buggar it and got a basic mirror out of a
sierra and put in.cost me a fiver.works just as well,and i find because it's a bit smaller my field of vision to my left is a lot better.the original mirror is just too big.as it is i've now got a spare scorpio i bought for spares and there's one on it,but i'm not going change the one i've got as it works fine.
all the best,bob
Title: Re: Interior Mirror
Post by Stringer on Jan 20th, 2005, 11:45pm
I've got a spare from a 95 Ultima. Got it when I thought my original one was broken, turned out the dealer had turned it off (why?) when they serviced the car. Anyone wants it, make me an offer.

Steve


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