Interesed

Any idea how to turn off the dimmer? Everytime I drive at night I have to push the button in to turn it off. I prefer not to have it on.

Kingmeow

I couldn't so I stuck a small piece of electrical tape over the sensor.

prepreludesh

Wouldn't that make the dimmer on all the time then? I think he wants it off, thereby making all the visible light able to reflect off of it.

HosTL Moderation

^ actually blocking the sensor lets no light in hence no dimming. The sensor deciphers how much headlight light is coming in from the rear and dims accordingly.

Pete2010

You mean it doesn't stay off when you hit that button? Turns back on when you start the engine again?

Kingmeow

Correct. Bascially I and the OP wants it to be off permanently. Not so. Each time you start the car, it comes on by default, even if it was off when you shut off the car.

So if you do NOT want auto dimming, then put a piece of electrical tape over the sensor (other thinner tapes may let light leak through and thus the mirror will dim partially - still annoying).

Personally I don't like auto dimming as it dims it too dark and I can't make out any law enforcement tailing me.

Takehold66

could you pull the plug from the back and strap the wire if it hangs?

Kingmeow

Now there's someone thinking outside the box! That would work and my hardwire radar detector to it would still work.

prepreludesh

Alright, my apologies then.

I know in this 2008 Chevrolet 2500 Pickup Truck I'm driving around, when paperwork and clipboards I have on the dash start to move around and cover the light sensor on the dash, the radio display dims as does the display on the center gauge console, because it's telling it that it's night and to dim the gauges. You don't want the fully illuminated daylight power gauges that the truck has during the day, at night, or else it would be too bright.

So I thought all vehicles worked on this principle

Kingmeow

They do but the rear view mirror sensor is just below the mirror on the frame and not the sensor on the top of the dash that controls the instrument panel lights like you describe.

No apologies needed. We are all here to learn and help each other.