Whats the doo-hickie between the rear view mirror and windshield?

[2006KR]

Just noticed it the other day. It's kind of a 2" by 2" by 1" high box that mounts to the bottom of the bracket that mount the rear view mirror to the windshield. It has a button on the top drivers side. The owners manual talks about a button on the bottom of the mirror to disable the electrochromatic dimming of the mirror. I have the electrochromatic mirror, but no button on it, so I had assumed that the one on the box replaced the one on the mirror, but pressing the button has no effect on whether or not the mirror dims. Someone on another forum thought it may have something to do with the compass, but .... I reset the compass via the in-dash message center. I've came to the conclusion that it has to be the "lets add a non-functional button and drive them bonkers" modification.

Any ideas folks (other than by pressing it, it give you 200+ HP, or increases your towing capacity)?

Thanx is advance for helping relieve this old-timers confusion.

[mschn99]

That box is for your on board compass....its the actual "sensor" that figures out which direction to display

[2006KR]

Thanx, that makes sense .... any idea as to what the button is for, besides doing a fantastic job of confusing me? To reset the computer, I go thru the in-dash message center and press the reset button on the dash ... which is also the trip reset and average lies (oops, I mean miles) per gallon readout.

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Last edited by 2006KR : 01-08-2007 at 10:07 AM.

[mschn99]

Originally Posted by 2006KR

Thanx, that makes sense .... any idea as to what the button is for, besides doing a fantastic job of confusing me? To reset the computer, I go thru the in-dash message center and press the reset button on the dash.

the button is to calibrate the compass for different magnetic zones.....there should be instructions in your owners manual.

[CHenry]

Originally Posted by 2006KR

Thanx, that makes sense .... any idea as to what the button is for, besides doing a fantastic job of confusing me? To reset the computer, I go thru the in-dash message center and press the reset button on the dash ... which is also the trip reset and average lies (oops, I mean miles) per gallon readout.

Whatever you do, DON'T push that button 3 times in a row while turning on the left turn signal on and whistling the Barney theme song!

[2006KR]

Too late, I already tried that - someone told me I would get an added 200HP and 500FtLb's torque .... boy, were they wrong .... only got hand cramps from trying to reach up over the mirror to push the button.

Mark, according to my manual, I use the function/reset buttons on the dash and the in-dash message center prompts you thru the process. I diidn't notice any prompting when I pushed the button on the 'black box', but then I wasn't paying particular attention either. I'll give it a look-see tonight when I get off work.

Thanx,

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Last edited by 2006KR : 01-08-2007 at 11:53 AM.

[mschn99]

Originally Posted by 2006KR

Too late, I already tried that - someone told me I would get an added 200HP and 500FtLb's torque .... boy, were they wrong .... only got hand cramps from trying to reach up over the mirror to push the button.

Mark, according to my manual, I use the function/reset buttons on the dash and the in-dash message center prompts you thru the process. I diidn't notice any prompting when I pushed the button on the 'black box', but then I wasn't paying particular attention either. I'll give it a look-see tonight when I get off work.

Thanx,

that button was used on some of the older rigs to set the zones...most of the newer ones its just a useless button.....

[2006KR]

Thanx Marc, just as I thought, it's a confusion factor button, the more you press it, the more confused you get as to why nothing happens.

[Logan]

Haha, kinda reminds me of that commercial where the guy is fliping the switch, and he is not sure what it does, but next door, the garage door is going up and down on the old ladies car. You are prolly killing some other guys truck everytime you hit it.

[DKR]

Originally Posted by CHenry

Whatever you do, DON'T push that button 3 times in a row while turning on the left turn signal on and whistling the Barney theme song!

Clay, I thought you had to whistle Sanford and Sons?



Or was that the old Pinto?