jinro1

Hope someone can help me. I searched already with no luck. tried lots of variations on the title.

On the far part of the rearview mirror housing (part that faces away from you - part that is perpendicular to the windshield) there are vent slats.

What are these for? more importantly, can i block them?

I am attaching my E-Zpass (which I painted textured black to match the rearview mirror housing) to the windshield and I want to put it at the bottom where the housing ends (so it looks like an extension of the rearview mirror). this blocks most of that vent.

am i blocking anything important?


THANK YOU.

mrfva

You might be blocking the light-sensor for the rear-view as well as your side-view mirrors. I made this mistake mounting my toll-tag there. Initially I placed it over these "holes/slats" and both of my side and rear view mirrors dimmed, which became useless during daytime driving. Mount it on the driver-side and you should be fine.

jinro1

the sensors for the dimmer are located on the front and back of the mirror itself not the housing behind it so I don't think that's the purpose of those slats.

but i'll do a test and tape over them during the day to see if mirrors darken. Thanks.

Anyone know for sure what it's for?

mrfva

Post a pic of the part you're talking about... that might help us trying to help you

Hyper_545i

I think this is what he is referring to. I got this pic from the DIY Section.

kearflex

Rain sensor? Just a guess

jinro1

Thank you Hyper!!! that's exactly what i'm talking about. those vents at the bottom.

The lens is the rain sensor. the little sensor on the back of the mirror itself is one of two autodimming sensors.

now does anyone know what those vents do?

i'm starting to sense it's just for ventilation for the electronics housed in that unit but I guess I just want to make sure blocking it isn't a big deal.

anyone?

Thanks.

mrfva

I check this morning, and found the vents you were referring to. I'm guessing they're simply for ventilation. Alternatively, why don't you mount your tag on the back of your rear-view mirror (driver-side). Since you've already painted it black, it'll be less conspicuous that way. Just use double-sided Velcro strips. It should still work with the tag sensors.

Just a suggestion...

jinro1

Yeah, I'm actually attaching both the E-Zpass and a radar detector and looking for the best place to put them.

aesthetically, the ezpass as an extension of the mirror housing looks the best and most inconspicuous - like it's supposed to be there.

but i guess i might just play it safe. i don't want anything overheating and starting to smoke on me. =)

thanks all.

mrfva

Here's where I installed my radar and toll tag (ez-pass for you folks)
http://picasaweb.google.com/frankche...oe/2004BMW545i

Note, I haven't painted my tag black yet, so it's white as you see it there.