The auto-dimming rearview mirror in my 2001 V70 worked well until recently, when I noticed that only a part of it is dimming, oval in shape.

This is quote annoying, I can see a car behind me with one bright yellow light and one bluish dimmed light. i sometimes have to move my head to get both headlights into that dimmed oval.

two questions:

1. can this be fixed? no warranty on the car, and I do not want to pay hundreds of $$ for it

2. can I replace it with a good old mirror with a flip lever? I know this self-dimming one was an options, so perhaps there is a drop-in replacement for it?

Thank you,
Yuri

I have one installed in my 850. It failed after about 4 years of usage. Same symptom as yours. It is very easy to replace - remove the center light console cover then you will see the torx screws and the connector.

Mine cost $50 something from Boston Volvo. It was $40 something 4 years ago. So price goes up about $10.

The one in my BMW is still working fine after almost 4 years. So no complaint yet.

Ching-Ho Cheng
--
1995 855 NA, Bilstein Strut & Shocks, Volvo Protective Grill, K&N Filter, E-Code Lens, ClearCorner Light, Alpine CD-Changer, AutoDim RearView Mirror, 6000K HID

This is another one of those stupid things that no one asked for but auto manufacturers dreamed up to extract more money from buyers. BMW people have the same complaint about their auto-dimming mirrors failing.

They are probably made by the same factory.

As far as I know, it cannot be fixed. And, yes, it can easily be replaced with the old fashioned manual one.

Klaus
--
The 164 has a new home, all I am left with are a 95 854T and a 98 V70R :)

I wonder - if I take a chance and buy this (auto-dimming) mirror used, can it be simply swapped?
Or I have to go to a dealer to program it in???

Yuri

Many of these are made by Donnelly http://www.donnelly.com/consumer/default.asp
Give them a call and see if they have one that will fit the Volvo mount. They will cost about $180-250 or so, depending on the features you want (compass, lights, temperature guage, blue tooth, homelink). I replaced the mirror in our Miata with one of these and it wasn't too difficult even with the temperature option.
--
1998 Volvo S70

LOL. I think you can just swap it out!

Klaus
--
The 164 has a new home, all I am left with are a 95 854T and a 98 V70R :)