When you twist the clown nose, you shouldn't have to force it either so if you're getting a lot of resistance when twisting then don't force it. BMW rear view mirrors that aren't auto dim have the twisting clown nose and its easy to flip the mirror. My ZHP originally came with this type of mirror...
I can't twist my clown's nose. What a thread this is turning out to be!
I noticed for the first time today that I also have rain-activated wipers, in case that adds to the complication....
If I remember correctly, the rain sensor is underneath the plastic cover where the mirror mounts to the windshield, but it isn't a part of the mirror itself, so you don't have to worry about it with regard to replacing your mirror.
I'm glad someone else spoke up about the removal of wires in the harness for cars with BMW Assist. I would not have known. I swapped my non-autodim mirror for one with autodim, Homelink, and a compass from an E90 and love it. Details about it and the guide I used can be found in my project thread here (relevant posts are #14-20).
OP,
As Charlie mentioned, you must pull the pins out and you will be good to go. Pin 3 and Pin 10 need to have connections and you can set the compass to work. I have a E9x Homelink,AutoDim,Compass mirror in my ZHP and I had SOS before.
This might help as well:
http://www.bigpatsfans.com/mirror/compass.htm
The retrofit instructions linked at the bottom tell you how to set the compass zone and calibrate it. Just added one to my E53; bought it from LKQ for $38, it was plug and play. The E46 plug is different apparently. And as others have said, if your mirror has the 3button integrated Homelink and the SOS stuff, the pinouts are likely different.
12 BMW X5 3.5i xDrive (E70)
12 Audi A4 Quattro 2.0 turbo (the black sheep)
03 BMW 330i ZHP (E46)
01 BMW X5 3.0i (E53)
79 Triumph Spitfire
73 MGB
More information:
'03 Oval Mirror with no Assist, no homelink (10 pin connector)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Pin 1 +12V when car is put in reverse, I believe so AD is disabled while backing up
Pin 2 +12V Constant source (Power "reciever" for remotes)
Pin 3 +12V Ignition source (Power AD circuitry)
Pin 4 O/S (-) Optical Sensor
Pin 5 O/S (+) Optical Sensor
Pin 6 O/S (-) Optical Sensor
Pin 7 O/S (+) Optical Sensor
Pin 8 ????
Pin 9 LED kathode (-) This is the clown nose LED
Pin 10 Ground
Note: that the O/S pins 4, 5, 6, 7 take up four pins and loop into each other (ie 4/6 and 5/7)
Now on the car side, an '05 M3 with Assist wiring is similar but different from other E46 vehicles.
'05 M3 Car connector located near rain sensor, no homelink (10 pin connector)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Pin 1 +12V when car is put in reverse, I believe so Auto Dimming is disabled while
Pin 2 -BLANK- NO CONNECTION
Pin 3 +12V Ignition source (Power Auto Dimming circuitry)
Pin 4 +12V Constant source (I-Bus for Assist)
Pin 5 Parking light +1.5V (used to light the Assist buttons)
Pin 6 ?????
Pin 7 +12V Constant source (Power "reciever" for remotes)
Pin 8 +12V Constant source
Pin 9 LED kathode (-) This is the clown nose LED
Pin 10 Ground
I found this video to be a big help regarding removing/installing the mirrors themselves:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5R0WNXGpvI
I have removed the old and reinstalled the new with very little difficulty thanks to the vid. Reset the compass very easily as well.
Kinda putting off getting the garage door transmitters working, but I think it will work in the end...
It's pretty easy, even with rolling codes (which I have). I used this guide:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho....php?p=4363430