Taking Rear View Mirror Apart

Juggernaught5 · 05-01-2018, 10:19 AM

Hi all:
Does anyone have experience opening up their interior rear view mirror? If so, can you share how and where you separated the two halves? Or is it sealed?

The previous owner of my car smoked, and the clear cover for the alarm light is filled with thick tobacco residue that I'd like to clean out. The bulb cover doesn't look to be able to be removed by pinching it.

3002 tii · 05-01-2018, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juggernaught5

Hi all:
Does anyone have experience opening up their interior rear view mirror? If so, can you share how and where you separated the two halves? Or is it sealed?

The previous owner of my car smoked, and the clear cover for the alarm light is filled with thick tobacco residue that I'd like to clean out. The bulb cover doesn't look to be able to be removed by pinching it.

You talking about the clown nose? Doesn’t that pull or twist right off (like minimal effort)?

Juggernaught5 · 05-01-2018, 08:01 PM

Yes, the clown nose at the bottom. I've tried pinching it to unseat the clips, but the sides are moving in. It doesn't appear to twist off.

I was thinking I'd have to separate the entire housing to get at it, but I don't see anything that looks like clip points. I was hoping someone knew where they might be located.

3002 tii · 05-01-2018, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juggernaught5

Yes, the clown nose at the bottom. I've tried pinching it to unseat the clips, but the sides are moving in. It doesn't appear to twist off.

I was thinking I'd have to separate the entire housing to get at it, but I don't see anything that looks like clip points. I was hoping someone knew where they might be located.

Unless mines broken it just twists right off. See below but twist and try pulling till you line up the tabs with the openings.

Vanne · 05-01-2018, 08:59 PM

Yep, spot on what tii says.

Juggernaught5 · 05-05-2018, 03:09 PM

I was excited after seeing your photo, but my clown nose has a thick center post that appears to run through the round hole in the circuit board. This is the only attachment point - I can run a sheet of paper around the entire edge. The bulb hangs outside of this post.

3002 tii · 05-05-2018, 03:43 PM

Weird your nose isn’t red, thought everyone had a ‘clown’ nose. Maybe previous owner replaced with aftermarket mirror or glued that thing on

StickMon · 05-06-2018, 11:05 PM

Mine is clear-ish. More like frosted.
Maybe a facelift thing, like the clear 3rd brake light?

Juggernaught5 · 05-07-2018, 11:17 AM

So, I was able to remove and unclip the mirror apart. The knob was indeed mounted on a post that was attached through the circuit board and mounted with a plastic rivet. However, I was able to get a Q-tip into it and clean it. The part had a correct Feb 2006 manufacture date for the car, so I think it was original. Interestingly, the part number isn't listed on RealOEM...

Sadly, after reinstalling the mirror, I was attaching the baseplate trim pieces and whacked the mirror with my hand hard enough to break it off the mount. It broke a clip that holds the ball joint in place, so I have to get a new mirror anyway.

I found one on eBay with a late 2006 manufacture date, but it's just a bit different than the current one. It has a little square light at the top of the rim. Is this just a courtesy light, or a repositioned "alarm" blinking light? I don't have the alarm on my car - just the fake blinker in the clown nose.

StickMon · 05-07-2018, 07:11 PM

It is a light, or the sensor for the dimmer?

05-01-2018, 10:19 AM	#1
Juggernaught5 Enlisted Member 1 Rep 36 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW Z4 3.0si Roadster Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Phoenix AZ iTrader: (0)	Taking Rear View Mirror Apart Hi all: Does anyone have experience opening up their interior rear view mirror? If so, can you share how and where you separated the two halves? Or is it sealed? The previous owner of my car smoked, and the clear cover for the alarm light is filled with thick tobacco residue that I'd like to clean out. The bulb cover doesn't look to be able to be removed by pinching it.
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05-01-2018, 08:01 PM	#3
Juggernaught5 Enlisted Member 1 Rep 36 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW Z4 3.0si Roadster Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Phoenix AZ iTrader: (0)	Yes, the clown nose at the bottom. I've tried pinching it to unseat the clips, but the sides are moving in. It doesn't appear to twist off. I was thinking I'd have to separate the entire housing to get at it, but I don't see anything that looks like clip points. I was hoping someone knew where they might be located.
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05-01-2018, 08:59 PM	#5
Vanne Down Under!! 1621 Rep 4,294 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4MC Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Dubai iTrader: (4)	Yep, spot on what tii says.
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05-05-2018, 03:09 PM	#6
Juggernaught5 Enlisted Member 1 Rep 36 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW Z4 3.0si Roadster Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Phoenix AZ iTrader: (0)	I was excited after seeing your photo, but my clown nose has a thick center post that appears to run through the round hole in the circuit board. This is the only attachment point - I can run a sheet of paper around the entire edge. The bulb hangs outside of this post. Attached Images
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05-05-2018, 03:43 PM	#7
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2282 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.22]	Weird your nose isn’t red, thought everyone had a ‘clown’ nose. Maybe previous owner replaced with aftermarket mirror or glued that thing on __________________ Follow for latest mods
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05-06-2018, 11:05 PM	#8
StickMon My other car is on Mars 636 Rep 3,124 Posts Drives: 2006 MR Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lo-Cal iTrader: (1)	Mine is clear-ish. More like frosted. Maybe a facelift thing, like the clear 3rd brake light? __________________ Warning: May contain traces of nuts.
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05-07-2018, 11:17 AM	#9
Juggernaught5 Enlisted Member 1 Rep 36 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW Z4 3.0si Roadster Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Phoenix AZ iTrader: (0)	So, I was able to remove and unclip the mirror apart. The knob was indeed mounted on a post that was attached through the circuit board and mounted with a plastic rivet. However, I was able to get a Q-tip into it and clean it. The part had a correct Feb 2006 manufacture date for the car, so I think it was original. Interestingly, the part number isn't listed on RealOEM... Sadly, after reinstalling the mirror, I was attaching the baseplate trim pieces and whacked the mirror with my hand hard enough to break it off the mount. It broke a clip that holds the ball joint in place, so I have to get a new mirror anyway. I found one on eBay with a late 2006 manufacture date, but it's just a bit different than the current one. It has a little square light at the top of the rim. Is this just a courtesy light, or a repositioned "alarm" blinking light? I don't have the alarm on my car - just the fake blinker in the clown nose. Attached Images
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05-07-2018, 07:11 PM	#10
StickMon My other car is on Mars 636 Rep 3,124 Posts Drives: 2006 MR Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lo-Cal iTrader: (1)	It is a light, or the sensor for the dimmer? __________________ Warning: May contain traces of nuts.
	Appreciate 0 Quote