1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

prius v auto dimming mirror fail?

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by lonelymango, Jun 18, 2012.

  1. lonelymango

    lonelymango Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2012
    18
    8
    9
    Location:
    New Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    I've recently noticed that my v's auto dimming rear view mirror has stopped working, or at least appears that way. I'm not sure if it's because of the tint because I have used my iPhones led to test it by shining the light from inside of the vehicle but it still fails to dim.

    Just wondering if anyone else had this problem. I have less than 3000 miles on the v but I wanted to know if anyone has resolved this before I take it in for service which may result in taking half a day without my v. This mirror was great when it worked.
     
  2. rogerv

    rogerv Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2008
    1,639
    317
    14
    Location:
    Simi Valley, California
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    No offense, but is it turned on?
     
  3. Cap'n

    Cap'n Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2012
    34
    4
    0
    Location:
    TX
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    That's an excellent question / suggestion. They're easy to unknowingly turn off when you reach up to adjust the mirror. Many's the time ...
     
  4. lonelymango

    lonelymango Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2012
    18
    8
    9
    Location:
    New Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    none taken. yes, i've turned the mirror off (no green light) and on (green light) and still, no dimming.
     
  5. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2009
    2,519
    1,790
    0
    Location:
    NEPA
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    If the v has the same mirror as the 2010, then you probably won't see much if any dimming compared to other vehicle makes or models. On the Gen III hatchbacks (I can't speak for the c or v) the spoiler blocks most of the light hitting the sensor on the mirror unless its adjusted just so. I've had my car for three years and I don't even notice the dimming anymore. Should it work better? Yes. Is it a deal breaker? Absolutely not.
     
  6. st-bob

    st-bob Hi-miler

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2010
    8
    5
    0
    Location:
    Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    To test the auto-dimming mirror, cover the front light sensor with a black piece of cloth, cardboard, business card etc. In the daytime, the mirror should begin dimming but only when the headlight are on (unless you've done an after-market install).
     
  7. Frank Kwong

    Frank Kwong Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2015
    14
    2
    0
    Location:
    Cocoa Beach, FL.
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    I cover the front sensor "square" (facing outside) with my finger and no dimming. The I cover the front part with my hand covering left half of the mirror and I see dimming. Where is the actual sensor doing the dimming? For now, no dimming at all in night time driving. Took it to the dealer and they said they have to keep the car overnight for testing.
     
  8. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2009
    2,519
    1,790
    0
    Location:
    NEPA
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    The sensor
    On the mirror-side, facing the rear of the vehicle.
     
  9. jacktechie

    jacktechie Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2014
    27
    5
    0
    Location:
    South SF Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Frank, you are testing correctly, so looks like something internally broken. I installed this about 8 months ago and it still dims. What I did not know at the time was there is no North indicator on the Nav. If I had known that, I would have ordered a Gentex with a compass.
     

    Attached Files:

    #9 jacktechie, Jul 24, 2015
    Last edited: Jul 24, 2015