Rear view mirror defective

[Astrodokk]

My rear view mirror has the compass and outside temperature capability. I think it also should have the automatic dimmer since it has the little light and sensor, but that doesn’t work.
What bugs me is that perhaps someone tried to clean it at one time with the wrong type cleaner and the temp area is blurred and hard to read.
Not sure if it would be worth replacing since I don’t want to pay lots just for outside temp, but it bugs me. Any way the plastic can be replaced?

[chin_k]

Depends on how the plastic is mounted, maybe you can remove it and polish it to remove the blur?

[Astrodokk]

Hmmm, didn’t think about that.
Maybe I can pry it out and polish it.
I’ll try that!

[chin_k]

you maybe able to use those head light polish for this, but my experience is on polishing acrylics paneling, and the kind of polish I used is called Novus.

[Blue~Go]

I can't tell from the photo if you have the same one I do ('99). I wonder if the little lenses are lights? Mine has two "dome" lights in the base, one on each side. Plus then the temp and compass. No auto dim.

OTOH, if it is auto dim, maybe it can't work because (at least the one in my car) needs to see lights coming in the back window (shining on the sensor from the face side of the mirror). I don't think I'd say light gets that far up from the rear window of the Chinook.
.
Does anyone else have auto dim? Does it work? Or do you have little "dome lights" like mine does?

Good idea on the plastic polish

[Astrodokk]

I finally had the front windshield replaced due to a running crack that bothered me just looking at it. The glass company broke the rear view mirror attachment and since the temp indicator was shot, I decided to replace with new. The glass company had a used Gentex 177 auto dim/compass/temp from a 2009 Suburban that they gave me. It uses the same 7 pin connector so I took it. It works perfectly and has the temp and compass indicators up in the mirror itself rather than below it like the factory one. The only thing I don't like is that I have to decide which view I want lit up, since it doesn't show both at the same time like the old one did. I'll try it out and if I really miss the old one, I saw one on ebay for around 90 bucks. But this one is free so I think I'll just adapt!

GENTEX 177 AUTO DIM/TEMP/COMPASS 7 PIN

[Jlfchinook]

Does anyone have the model number of the Donnelly rear view mirror. I have a 2001 Concourse that the outside temp doesn’t work on. Need information on wiring, or outside temp sensor that is located inside front grill. Thanks

[caconcourse]

Does anyone have the model number of the Donnelly rear view mirror. I have a 2001 Concourse that the outside temp doesn’t work on. Need information on wiring, or outside temp sensor that is located inside front grill. Thanks

I just repaired my 2001 Concourse compass/temperature display which was damaged by rats. The compass is located in the mirror mount/housing, and must be level to work. The temperature sensor is located under the hood, but the sensor wire runs under the dash near the left fuse panel by the left driver knee position, and runs through the left front fender to the engine compartment. The wires were a loose green wire and black wire, tie wrapped to a larger harness inside, but just run loose through the fender. In my case, rats chewed through the sensor wire in that fender. I ran a new pair of wires from the dash through the fender and spliced it to the broken wires. I did not locate the temperature sensor itself, but the wire seemed to run towards the radiator, under the battery isolator switch. Hope this helps you find/fix the problem.

[Jlfchinook]

You were spot on about chewed wires, I knew I had some but thought they were to alarm system that had been removed by prior owner. Now shows 40 degrees in c or f mode. Any one know where to get a new sensor or part number for it?