VAnderson

I bumped my rear view mirror and it fell out of it's socket.

There doesn't appear to be any damage or missing screws, but I can't figure out how to re-attach it.

Does anybody know how to replace the rear view mirror of a 1997 Acura TL?

Thanks!

Mandy

Have you tried popping it in?

VAnderson

It won't really pop in. The whole mirror has fallen out. I'm trying to figure out how to reattach the anchor piece.

Mandy

Gotta check mine on how it is attached. It is not one of those glue ons, right?

myisanog

u can always get a wink mirror . lol

97Acura tl

I just replaced mine, but I am sure by you now you have figured it out??

MrSteal

My rear view mirror was knocked off the other day and like VAnderson said everything looks fine just can't figure out how to re-attach. Please help

blckchip

I too have this problem. I have had 2 engineer friends, one a summa from Berkeley, try to fix it to no avail. Is there an answer or is time to contact "Click and Clack?"

MsPoo

I am having the same issue with my 97 tl. I can't get the covering that is around the light and over the mirror attachment piece to come off. That is all I need!!!! I am afraid I am going to rip the lights down as well! HELP!

Empenguin

So I felt the need to sign up and give a response here because of all the people who have had this issue.

Same thing happened to me yesterday in my 97 TL. There were no real answers that I could find on the web, but with the help of some photos I found on ebay of the back of the light/speaker dome panel that encapsulates the mirror, I was able to figure it out.

First thing you have to do is open that panel. Use a screwdriver to pry off the light cover. This should be pretty easy. Underneath, there's a hex screw that can be removed with a 10mm socket.

Once that's off, you want to remove the end of the panel nearest the rear of the vehicle. There are three rather large plastic tabs that hold the panel into the ceiling. Use a flat screwdriver or a putty knife to push each tab toward the front of the car to free them. You will have to push the tabs forward about one cm or more.

Once those are clear, there are only two metal clips holding the panel. They're located around where the speakers are. You can now pull the entire panel down to free them off the clips. Be careful not to damage the wires for the light that are still connected to the panel.

Now, you will be able to see the black metal mounting plate that the mirror was once attached to. The mirror mount has a screw that was held in place by a special convex washer that's above that metal plate. You'll have to remove that mounting plate to get to the washer. It's held by three screws.

Once that's off, remove the phillips screw that's on the mirror end. You need to affix this back into the washer. So screw -> washer (protruding side facing the mirror mount) -> mounting plate -> mirror mount. It should be screwed in pretty snug.

Now, you can install the mirror mount (along with plate and washer) back into the ceiling by the three screws, then replace the light panel. Done!

Let me know if you have any questions.

Empenguin

Just clarifying that this is the clear-ish plastic cover for the light only, not the entire panel.

main70072

Thank you for taking the time to sign up to make such an informative post for anyone else looking at this in the future. And yet another overly engineered part on our cars, haha. Reminds me of the post about removing the entire dash to get to the blower motor.