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      02-06-2016, 08:32 AM   #1
Jetmart
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Why are these sensors?

Can anyone tell me what this sensors are for? One is in the windshield in front the the mirror mount and the other on the back of the mirror.

It is on a 2011 35is - Canadian car with comfort access.
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      02-06-2016, 09:12 AM   #2
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I believe the one in the windshield is the rain sensor that changes the speed of the wipers when in auto and the one in your rear view mirror is for the auto dimming feature in the mirror to reduce glare.
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      02-06-2016, 09:17 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kosd View Post
I believe the one in the windshield is the rain sensor that changes the speed of the wipers when in auto and the one in your rear view mirror is for the auto dimming feature in the mirror to reduce glare.
I would have thought the same thing, but the sensor in the rear view mirror is facing forward....?
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      02-06-2016, 01:07 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sjeupie View Post
I would have thought the same thing, but the sensor in the rear view mirror is facing forward....?
Imo dimmer needs to know the brightness outside (that's the sensor facing forward) for the dimming. So mirrors won't dimm on a sunny day.
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      02-06-2016, 01:44 PM   #5
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There are two dimmer photocells in the mirror, the one you mention on the back of the mirror and a small sensor towards the top edge of the mirror surface itself.

The rain sensor is mounted on the windshield, directly in front of the interior rear view mirror.
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      02-06-2016, 05:38 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ozie View Post
Imo dimmer needs to know the brightness outside (that's the sensor facing forward) for the dimming. So mirrors won't dimm on a sunny day.
Makes sense.
My Z has an even fancier technique with remote sensors, called my eyes, and a chunky turning knob on the bottom of the mirror. Was quite surprised about this old-school technique in a 2010 bimmer to be honoust...!
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      02-08-2016, 11:58 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sjeupie View Post
Makes sense.
My Z has an even fancier technique with remote sensors, called my eyes, and a chunky turning knob on the bottom of the mirror. Was quite surprised about this old-school technique in a 2010 bimmer to be honoust...!
Hmmm that sounds like it was replaced with the non auto dimming version or miss installed from the factory. I was under the impression that all Zs came with the auto dimm function.
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      02-08-2016, 11:39 PM   #8
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My 2011 3.0 has the knob too. I was surprised that my 2010 Kia Forte had auto dim mirror and my e89 didn't. Yet it can sense the rain with a laser and change wiper speeds... Oh well.

Quote:
Originally Posted by sjeupie View Post
Makes sense.
My Z has an even fancier technique with remote sensors, called my eyes, and a chunky turning knob on the bottom of the mirror. Was quite surprised about this old-school technique in a 2010 bimmer to be honoust...!
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      02-09-2016, 03:43 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gbell210 View Post
My 2011 3.0 has the knob too. I was surprised that my 2010 Kia Forte had auto dim mirror and my e89 didn't. Yet it can sense the rain with a laser and change wiper speeds... Oh well.
I always said I wanted a drivers car without any frills.....ok it may not yet be a KTM X-bow but it sure is more hard-core than an E89 with the auto-dimming mirror installed
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