Has anyone ever tried replacing with a newer mirror and just re-wiring white plug to yellow plug?

1. What year model had the fixed/good mirrors after the recall?
2. Why couldn't you purchase a newer white plug 6 or 8 wire mirror and remove those wires and then re-install into an older yellow plug matching colors as I go?
3. In my case, I would have to buy the newer white plug mirror and then also buy a yellow plug since mine has been cut off.
4. Does anyone have a 1999 wiring schematic for mirror with auto dimming and auto headlights?
5. Is there a better way to approach? I mainly want the auto headlight feature to start working.

 

What RECALL? I never heard about a recall and I worked at the dealer until 2006.

Do you know the Service Action or Recall number?

I just mail the faulty mirror to Global Battery Solutions (Sybesma's) and get the electrochromatic section replaced.

 

I guess I mis-spoke when I said Recall. Surely there is a cutoff year when mirrors started being OK and did not need to be replaced. Current mirror has wires cut and was installed by previous owner. I have no idea what I have.

With answers to my questions, I might be able to retrofit a newer mirror with old plug.

 

2000 vs 1999 the wiring is:
White/Red = +12V (same on 1999)
Black/Pink= Ground (same on 1999)
Yellow= Reverse light (Yellow/White on 1999)
Yellow/Blue=Auto headlight (to light switch) (same on 1999)
Blue=Tint (to side mirrors) (Purple/Black on 1999)

 

Thank you for your detailed answer. That's what I'm looking for.

Do you know what year the mirrors actually started being good and not failing? Or was there such a year?

If I only care about getting the automated headlights to work, I would only need the three wires in BOLD. Correct?

White/Red = +12V (same on 1999)
Black/Pink= Ground (same on 1999)
Yellow= Reverse light (Yellow/White on 1999)
Yellow/Blue=Auto headlight (to light switch) (same on 1999)
Blue=Tint (to side mirrors) (Purple/Black on 1999)

 

An electrochromatic mirror on any vehicle can fail at any time. It happened to the passenger side mirror on my wife's 2004 Lexus RX330. The driver side mirror never failed before I sold the vehicle in July 2012....

 

Yes!

 

Update. I went ahead and purchased a used unit on Ebay. It was in great condition and had the correct Yellow plug. It was an easy job to pull the old mirror, slide on a the replacement and everything works for now. Especially the Automatic headlights. I am happy with the results.