Curious light above rear view mirror

[dangermousehouse]

OK, with fear of asking a really silly question.....

I was driving along the other night and I reach up to adjust the rear view and notice a glow on the back of my hand.

Looks like a lamp or something in the head lining....but wossitfor??

Cheers

[Dorko]

Lights up the gears/ transmission.... very slightly.

[Sprint]

mood lighting!

[101RRS]

That light is part of the auto dimming/dipping feature of the internal rear vision mirror.

You will have noticed that when the mirror is dimmed/dipped the colour of the light following you are a green colour and no very bright. If you block the little light the mirror will undim/dip itself for a little while.

Not sure how it actually works though.

Garry

[101RRS]

I know that if you block the little light the auto dimming function of the mirror does not work. The little light shines directly at the little sensor in the mirror.


Garry

[Dorko]

My mirror still works if you cover the light. Its just a light to show you the gear selector.

Dorko

[lewy]

That would be the land rover min min light,its not really there:D

[dangermousehouse]

Could be for adjusting your makeup without having to turn on the bigger lights :D

[jonesfam]

Its called a "Waterfall Light" & is there purely to assist with seeing the gear shift, TR knob, cup holder & to find where you threw you phone at night. It does not effect the mirror or mirrors.
I noticed it while collecting our D3 late at night (joy of living in the bush, you don't always get places on time) & gave the dealer the 3rd degree on it's purpose.
Also I like to think I know every thing - just like a 15 year old.:D
Jonesfam

[connock]

In auto dimming mirror technology, a forward-looking sensor detects low ambient light from headlights behind the car (http://www.ehow.com/cars/) and directs the rear-view sensor to look for glare. The mirrors darken automatically in proportion to how bright the glare is, then clear once the glare is no longer detected. The technology is called electrochromics, which applies electricity in order to tint glass through a low-voltage power supply. The electricity moves through an electrochromic gel placed between two pieces of glass during manufacturing, which have been treated with an electrically conductive coating. Electrochromic technology is also increasingly included in building design with the use of so-called "smart windows," as an energy-efficient response to light and heat.
Nothing to do with little lights aimed down
I think sprint has the best answer

connock

[101RRS]

I must admit that with the exception of the obvious differences in the body shell, as far as I can tell just about everything between the D3/RRS is the same - certainly electronic systems, suspension, drivetrain, engine (TDV6) and basic interior are the same, so I think it is fair enough to to assume that the same issues apply to both vehicles.

Anyway onto more important things - I certainly did learn something through this thread - I believe that is the point of the forum;). I "assumed":( that the light interacted with the mirror because it stopped dimming when the light was interrupted - in reality when I tested it last night it was my hand in front of the mirror sensor that stopped the mirror working. I also noticed for the first time that the little light does light up the gear knob area and the radio area of the dash - never noticed it before in nearly 12,000km of driving. So thanks to Jonesfam, Dorko and Sprint for pointing me in the right direction on this .

Cheers

Garry

[jonesfam]

Don't stress it mate.:p

[TerryO]

Maybe a dumb question but could the light do both jobs both light up the gear shift and dull the mirror when on?

cheers,
Terry

[rmp]

No more personal attacks.