cmgleason

Hi- I recently installed an OEM interior self dimming mirror in a n04' Targa. this is the one that has the integrated rain sensor in the middle of the windshield mount. I need to have someone confirm the correct photocell to cover to cause the mirror to dim to confirm that it is wired correctly. There are two photo cells: 1)one on the reflective glass side & 2)one on the plastic back. When covered one causes the mirror to dim & the other one does nothing. Which one causes the mirror to dim when covered? Thanks cmg

78' 924 @32, 84' 911 Targa@ 38, 03' Boxster @61, & current 04' 996 Targa@63 Yea I really am that old!!

If your car is a 996 it may well have the oem version of the non-dimming mirror. If so that mirror is removed by sliding it down from its mount. You can check it by removing the plastic around the base on the OEM version.

I special ordered an 84' Targa with the Fuchs wheels. As I recall they were 15" wheels. Latter I purchased 16" BBS 2 piece gold wheels for winter tires. Although it was a long time ago I clearly remember that the BBS wheels were larger as I was concerned that the speedometer would not be correct which it was not. However I liked the look. I do not recall any option for those BBS wheels from the factory.

Thought I'd try this again with the thought that someone may be able to see a 996 & 997 Targa next to one another & get a measurement. I've been told that the rooflines are essentially the same so I am hopeful that this can be done. Thanks cmg

As a word of caution you might want to check your insurance policy to verify that you have full coverage for a cracked windshield just in case something goes awry as some of the posts indicate. I upgraded my insurance for a few dollars & was surprised that I had a $500 deductible. Did'nt need it but just in case...

Do a search on this site for "self dimming mirror" & you will find a number of discussions including the TSB which will help you to wire a new mirror. In short use a pair of channel locks with a piece of hose over each jaw so as to not damage the existing mirror. Attach the channel locks so as to turn the entire mirror base to the right or left 90 degrees & it will come loose. Again you will find pictures on this site of my description. Porsche made a tequipment self dimming mirror that fit the non dimming base exactly so that you could use the existing windshield mount. That is no longer available but you may find an NOS example someplace. Alternatively Audi & Volkswagen used the same mirror & mount so a check at the local wrecking yard may work. Finally the Porsche factory OEM version had a windshield mount with a hole in the center for the rain sensor. I found such a mount & mirror on a Porsche wreck & it fits over the existing button perfectly so you do not need to remove the old mounting button. This mirror mounts differantly in that you push the mirror up onto the mount as opposed to turning it. I then mounted the rain sensor next to the mirror as per the tequipment TSB. cmg

The Tequipment mirror fits the non dimming porsche mount without modification. However the M265 factory dimming option has a larger mounting base with a hole in the middle for the factory rain sensor. I ultimately had to get the windshield mount from a wreck after purchasing an NOS "dimming porsche mirror" that turned out to be the factory option version with the larger base. This will not fit the mount for the stock non dimming mirror like the Tequipment version does. This base slide onto the windshield mount as opposed to twisting onto the windshield mount. Also I wrote to the ebay seller you mentioned to ask what mount/size his mirror had but did not receive a reply. I was interested since I can't seem to get 12V power from my interior mirror to my exterior dimming mirror & am thinking that the mirror internal circuits are not allowing the + connection when the sensor tells the interior mirror to dim. Hope this helps. Bottom line- verify the mount before purchasing. BTW the power connection cost me $85 from Sunset. It is a five wire connection for both the interior & exterior mirror.

Thanks Alan. That certainly helps to assure me but I am curious how someone gets something out of those vents Anybody care to comment?? cmg

My dumb move (latest) while working on the the gps antenna in the alarm led carrier on the dash of my 04' Targa was dropping the two screws from the carrier into the hole that the alarm module wires run into or possibly into the vents themselves. Anyway I can't find them & I've tried the mirror & mag tools to no avail. I'm hoping they fell behind the radio but just don't know. I'm tempted to just forget about them but am wondering if these screws might make their way to something of importance like the vent motor. Anyone know of a way to find these easily or have a picture/diagram of how to open the defroster area? Thanks

Success!! As an update I found that the hatch was out of sequence presumably due to the dead battery. It thought it was open when it should have been closed & vice versa. By disconnecting the negative lead on the battery (after recharging) the hatch would either partially open or partially close. Pressing & holding the hatch release would engage the motor to fully close the hatch. Then disconnecting the battery lead would release the hatch. Thru trial & error of closing the hatch manually, pressing the switch & disconnecting the battery I eventually after 10 minutes or so got it in the correct sequence. The easy way would have been to take it to the dealer who has the diagnostic tool as Loren suggested but I did not want the aggravation not to mention the expense.

Loren As always thanks for the quick response but in this case the battery in new so I need to go the next step.

In the process of working on my 04' Targa I must have inadvertently left Targa hatch open. In turn after a week or so the battery ran down. When I tried to start it the engine barely turned over & everything began clicking. The hatch would not close. Each time it attempted to close it poped back up. After charging for a bit it closed fully. I disconnected the battery several times in an attempt to clear the computer sequence. Now the release switch does not "click" to release the hatch but if I disconnect the battery the hatch will release itself. If I attempt to close the hatch it will pop back open but eventually will close fully. Obviously it is out of sequence but I need some help to reset /repair this. Thanks

Well I am trying to run wiring down the A-pillar in an 04 Targa & find that I can't seem to remove the pillar. As a work around I've taken off the driver side vent & unsnaped the defroster plastic by the window but find I can't remove the defroster plastic as it has a metal clip at the base which goes into the A-Pillar. I really need to remove the A-Pillar to get the defroster vent back without breaking it but the searches I've done show only the boxster or cab. A-Pillar removal. The Targa A-Pillar is one piece going from the dash & across the drivers window. Thanks for any help.

As background, I have been on a similar quest for quite some time so here is what I have researched/know. The Tequipment kit has two differant relays that the rain sensor plugs into. In the early version (no longer available) the relay is adjustable with an adjustment screw at the relay itself to vary the speed. The latter relay has one speed only & is not adjustable even though both versions have the same part number. In neither case does the variable dash switch operate even though the TSB states that it will. There has been a number of comments on the confusion within the TSB related to the Tequipment option but if you check the TSB (search rain sensor)on this site it will give you further info as well as the wiring connections requested. In the factory OEM M265 option which includes both the interior/exterior mirrors & integrated rain sensor the dash variable switch is a differant part number 99661312710a05 than the stock unit & has four connectors rather than two presumably to connect to the additional control unit for the sensor as well as for a differant relay from cars that do not have the M265 option. It does fully control the variable wiper speed. I have a new NOS early Tequipment kit with the adjustable relay that I purchased prior to attempting to do the full M265 option. At the moment I need the 10 pin harness that goes from the dome light to the various parts ie control unit, dash switch, relay, door mirror etc. to complete my install so I was waiting to sell this NOS Tequipment sensor but if you are interested PM me. Regards cmg