HomeLink Mirror and backup camera Install

I had a 2004 Prius with the HomeLink Mirror, when I decided to get the C, I knew I would need add the that type of Dimming Mirror to it. Since the C does not have a backup camera I decided to got the one with that feature too. I ordered one through the company I work for.

I read the various posts about installing in the other models of prius’s to get an idea of what is involved. Since there is no instruction for doing the C , I decide to just wing it.

Started by removing the original mirror by removing the torx screw and lifting it off. the new mirror uses the same mount so I put the new mirror on and tighten the screw.

I decided to go down the passenger side pillar, because it was closer to the outlet. I started by tucking the cable under the edge of the headliner over to pillar, then I removed the rubber door gasket and tucked the cable down the side of pillar and side of the dash. I removed the glove box so that I could access the outlet area.

Next I moved to the back of the car, I removed the black cover off the liftgate, I could not find a hole to run the camera cable thru so I drilled a hole thru the back for the camera cables. I took a coat hanger and fished the camera cable set up the driver’s side to the liftgate. Feed it thru the black flex cable cover between the liftgate and car. real tight fit. I removed the rubber gasket from the trunk area ( not completely just enough to run the cable) Ran the cable down the driver’s side of the trunk. The power cables were much shorter than the video cable so they only made it down about 2/3 of the way. I ran the video down the trunk area. Made a executive decision and decide to attach the camera’s ground to the body via the screw the holds the driver’s side of trunk liner in place instead connect the ground feed from the front cable.

Back to the front, pulled the cover off the under door panel on both the passenger and rear passenger doors. Ran the cable to back tucking them out of site under these panels. I fished it under the edge of the seat in the trunk area, this was done by trial and error until I got back there without showing took a while.

Now with both the front and back cables in back I ran the front cable to the back and across to the driver’s side, again hiding under various panels I connected the video cables together hiding them in area under the rear latch. I ran the power up to the short camera power cable.

Now for connecting to car’s electrical system.

General Note the black with white cables seems to consistently ground.

Next the need to connect a cable to power when the car is in reverse. I am sure that there is a place under the dash for this, but the company I bought it from suggest a backup light, so I ran it to the driver’s side backlight. that works.

under the dash I needed 12V switched and a ground, also needed 12 always on for the Home link part. The 12v switch and ground was easy since the the outlet is switched. I started looking at cable in the area, I finally found a large black with white cable and a large Green cable(both were 16 gauge) , tested them and found the green one was the always on that I was looking for. it only took about an hour to figure this out!

Testing was easy start the car and shift into reverse and a course it did not work I had pulled the 12v switched lead loose by accident. Recheck the connection and then everything worked. Programmed the HomeLink. I had to drive in circles ( 3 times) at less than 5 mph to get the compass to work, it is harder the think keeping under 5mph, the compass started working.

The whole thing took about 4 hours, but doing it again I would guess I could do it in about 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours.

I chose a camera with grid to make easier to judging distance when backing up.

...now got to figure what to do about the automatic headlights feature the '04 had, that the C does not.

Logical

 

the mirror and camera are from MITO

mirror was the home link and camera version
Gentex Auto-dimming Mirrors with Rear Camera Display from MITO Corporation Excellence in Electronics for Auto, Car, Truck, SUV, RV and Boats


the camera is not listed, but is like the bar style on their camera page

Backup Camera Solutions from MITO Corporation Excellence in Electronics for Auto, Car, Truck, SUV, RV and Boats

talked to my rep they could do a group buy for better prices..... camera is about $150.

 

there is a torx screw on the bottom of the mirror assembly that hold it to the piece that is glued on to window.

that the way most mirror are installed today....