not abrasive, i think, but i think you missed the query. and i think that you may know the answer if i can parse it out for you better...

here goes..

as you know, undoubtedly, the inside mirror on the 140's had three buttons. these could be programmed to operate rf-controlled garage doors and other homelink rf gadgets[entry lights, gates, interior lights, etc].

sometime after 1/1/97, garage doors began to be controlled by rolling code rf transmissions. so, if one owned a 140 assembled prior to some date in 1997, the rf transmitter[single code] in the mirror could no longer operate the garage door[nor any other rolling code devices].

now, i have this c140 that was assembled in 10.96. its inside mirror electronics are single code.

that was OK for my garage door when i acquired the car last april. but as the world works, shortly after that acquisition my 30 year old garage door mechanism said ENOUGH and had to be replaced. replacements today incorporate rolling code rf controllers. now, the remote controller contained within my mirror could not communicate with the garage door controller.

it is my thinking that the rolling code upgrade mirror[introduced as standard fitting in 1997] can be substituted without difficulty for the non-rolling code predecessor.

furthermore, it is my thinking that the internal non-rolling code electronic components can be easily replaced by the rolling code components.

now, the m-b dealer who sold me this c140 owned up to the reality that they owed me a functional mirror. no charge, they sent me a new one, ostensibly the most recent generation, capable of rolling code rf transmission.

but, this mirror still doesn't handle rolling codes. i suspect that the m-b dealer sent me a mirror that matches my vehicle's vin # and does not support rolling codes.

i would like to learn if there were different part numbers for these mirrors. i have tried looking up inside mirrors for 140's up on fast track...it doesn't recognize the part number that i have for this new mirror, nor does it recognize any part number for an inside mirror. hmmmmmmmm.

lastly, i have this complaint with m-b...it occurs to me that if a material change in the rf transmission capabilities[non-rolling code to rolling code] of the mirror occurred in the middle of a model year, then m-b should be obligated to retrofit all vehicles of that model year with the upgrade.

yes or no?

all ears....

if there is still any confusion concerning this matter, address it...please. i find this a very esoteric subject that m-b dealers run from. either i am not making myself understood, or this issue is one that m-b dealers have been instructed to avoid.

consider, i have dealt with a m-b service manager[now vp service] for almost 30 years. we are not friends, but we are friendly. but when i ask him for help on this mirror issue, it is as if i have asked him if venusians own the dealership which cuts his paycheck. and the shop foreman, who i have also worked with for almost 30 years, who has always treated me as a mechanical equal, goes into the long stare when i ask him about this issue.

what is the deal? what are the answers?

yoohoo. anyone got a clue?