Retrofit Electrochrome Mirror to C3 Picasso

[Xantippa]

Electrochrome door mirrors have lines that go around the edge of the mirror glass (they look a little like rear window heater lines) - my -08 C5 X7 didn't have those lines. So you can see right away if mirrors are electrochrome or not.

[GiveMeABreak]

I think I already mentioned - whether you got them or not was dependent upon year and option pack - they changed between 2008 and 2009 in the UK as per the brochures I have.

[Xantippa]

Yes, but you can have that on/off switch without dimming outer mirrors.

[Hell Razor5543]

I must have really got lucky with MY mirror. Not only does it fit the wiring, and turn off when the electrics are off, it also has an On/Off switch!

[patriotbarrow]

You could - if it will fit the C3, and if you remember to turn it off. Before I located the correct feed for my front and rear Dash Cameras, I had it on a permanent feed and forgot to turn it off several times. I left the car for a few days and had a job to start the car the next time! Managed to piggy back a switched feed from the electric seats now the cameras just turn on and off with the car after a 5 second delay. Perfect.

A rather simple solution would be to somehow (emphasis on the "somehow") run power from the electric window button lights, as they are turned off the moment you open the door. I guess it isn't maybe as simple as it sounds.

[GiveMeABreak]

You shouldn't really run anything off another bit of equipment on multiplexed cars to be honest - you are better off taking an appropriately fused feed from the fuse box, by using a piggy back fuse. Splicing into the wiring of the other electronics is asking for trouble - you could interfere with the operation of the vehicle or cause further electrical problems. There may be in excess if 26 ECUs dotted about the car controlling everything from the windows, doors, mirrors etc. There is a door control module in the door that deals with mirrors, doors, windows and lots of other things depending on equipment an options - upsetting any of these may cause intermittent or unexpected behaviour.

[patriotbarrow]

I think I may have found a solution to the power conundrum.