LantanaML320

Hello,

I just bought a 2003 CLK 320. I am very impressed with the car but noticed something weird the other night. I had just picked up the car and drove it from Dallas to Austin for the weekend. I noticed that I was having a hard time seeing out the driver's side mirror. It was at night and I was seeing double vision (in the mirror). Headlighs behind me were bright white and a dim dim gold color. the next morning I looked at the mirror and the glass looks fine except it is a various shades of bronze and gold. I did some searching on here to try to figure it out and the closest thing I can suspect is that I have a screwed up auto-dimming mirror? I went online to look for some replace glass but not sure which is correct for me to order. Thanks for any help to confirm what is wrong.

Rudeney

The auto-dimming function uses an LCD panel. My guess is that it's broken and causing the problem. It;s easy to replace, but expensive - Over $00 retail, $260 at parts.com:

http://www.parts.com/parts/2003/MERC...Mirror%20glass

You want the 2nd one in the list - "W/auto dim, left".

LantanaML320

Thank you, that's what I was afraid of...

Glyn M Ruck

Rudney is spot on as usual. If you look at the passenger side mirror you will notice that it is a very different animal.

waveterrorist

On a 100+ day last summer my drivers side failed.
I have seen used ones on ebay for about half of what a new costs at parts.com.

BTW there is an autodimming passenger side available. Stock for RHD cars.
I got one so I know they work....

LantanaML320

Thanks guys. I found a replacement glass mirror that sticks on over the the original on Ebay for $17. I ordered this and will use it until I find a decent deal on a replacement. Right now it is very hard to see anything in that mirror.

gaazmon

I've got the same problem with my driver's side mirror. there are these spots all over the mirror (seems to be on the inside) so at night things seem blurry and double vision like. Also, it looks like it vibrates at higher speeds but maybe that's from the reflection in the glass as well

I've been wondering, is it possible to buy a w/o auto dimming driver's side mirror to use on a car equipped w/ auto dimming or are the mechanisms inside different?

EDIT: Mine also has a brown, goldish color to it. I believe something has leaked, kind of like a puncture to an LCD screen on a phone or computer. Also on the bottom of the glass where the black rubber outline is, there's some markings (clear versus brown like the rest of the glass) so probably right and looks like some liquid stained the bottom of the mirror housing too

waveterrorist

and if you are interested i can let you have one cheap........
as to the vibration the little lock spring on the top may have slipped off

Rudeney

My mirror vibrated, too. It wasn't the spring, it was weak plastic clips. I put some two-sided tape behind it and all was well.

gaazmon

PM sent. I'll check out the lock spring

Thanks Rodney. I'm beginning to think it could be from the messed up electrochromatic glass and just looks like it's vibrating to me when driving since I only really notice it at night and on the highway

Gonna try to get it changed out and see if I still see the vibrations. At that point we'll see if anything is broken inside anyway

Rudeney

If you change the glass, then the vibration should be solved, too, as the plastic clips are part of the glass assembly.

BlankProc

Rudeney,

I was just searching for some solutions on driver's side mirror vibration. Took it to my indy and they got it to stop vibrating from about 0-50 (I think they replaced some parts, don't know about the clips - it was on my warranty but I know they didn't do the whole unit) but it starts going again after that...ready to get creative and saw your tape example.

I know it's been a while since your post, but could you provide a little more detail on how you got the tape back there and where you put it?

Rudeney

First, remove the glass. It has a metal clip holding it at the top. Tilt the glass all the way down and you should be able to barely see the clip and lift it with a small tool. Here's a photo I found that shows this clip with the housing removed:




Once you release the clip, you should be able to remove the glass panel by pulling it out. It does have plastic clips holding it in so those take just a bit of effort to pull loose (unless of course they are broken).

With the glass removed, you'll see the plastic plate it clips into. That's where I placed a piece of automotive trim grade heavy-duty two-sided tape. I then put the glass back in and it's been stable ever since.