Auto dimming mirror installation

Spend the $100.

 

It is extremely easy to do. 3 wires, one always hot (usually yellow or red), one negative (usually black) and one that is hot when in ACC or IG ON (usually white). I've done it on all 4 of my cars (2001 Prius, 2006 Prius, 2012 Sonata and 2013 Camry Hybrid). I ordered whichever one I could find on Ebay. Nearly all are the same. I've found that Nissan, Hyundai and Toyota all use the same "Homelink" auto-dimming mirrors made by Gentex. The main thing you need to make sure of when ordering it is that the wiring harness comes with it and that it fits on the mount that's already installed on your car.

It is one of the simplest things I've ever done. In every case I've tapped wires already available in the roof such as the map light or front dome light (always hot or hot when the door is opened) and vanity lights (hot in ACC (most cars, not sure about the C)) or in the case of my 06 Prius and 13 TCH, I used the 12V pwr outlet for an ACC switched supply and ran it up the molding around the passenger side windshield.

The wire that's supposed to be always hot can be hooked to an ACC connected wire (the homelink functions will only work with the car in ACC or IG ON) or or the wire that supposed to be ACC can be connected to an always hot connection (the auto dimming function will be always on if you wire it this way. No current draw unless a bright light is shining it from behind). I'd say do it yourself but, that's just me. I try to do everything myself though.

 

^^^ What he said - easy install, you don't have to be handy, save your $100 for something else. This should take about 20 minutes or so.

 

You just pull it down a little. You'll see. No special tools just some wire taps.

 

No, I just used the power from the dome light and the aux outlet.

 

Yes but, I don't have the C. What I did was located an always hot 12V source (hot even when car is off. "Usually" a yellow wire) and hooked that up to the garage door function (in my case it was in the map lights (just above the mirror)) using one of these wire taps (purchase at AutoZone etc).

Then locate a switched 12V source (hot when the car is turned to ACC or IG ON), tap into that with a wiretap and hook it to the auto dimming function (usually a white wire). In my case this was the 12V pwr oulet (aka cigarette lighter). I did have to run this behind the dash and up the molding around the windshield (the hardest part of the whole install).

Then hook the black wire (ground or negative) to any screw near the map lights that screws into metal.

Like I said, very simple

 

Here's the wire tap, post #4 in the link if the picture fails to post.

Clutch lever start relay

 

Hell, here's one on Ebay for a Prius for $40 with the harness. Red= always hot, White + switched hot and black = neg. I just about guarantee this one will fit the fitting your mirror is currently attached to.
04 05 06 07 08 09 prius rear view mirror nice used oem homelink | eBay
Its toooooooooo eeeeeaaaaaaassssssyyyyyyyyy!!!!!

 

Did you get a homelink mirror? Did you get the one I showed you a link to? If a homelink mirror, one wire is for the auto dimming function (usually white), one wire is for the garage door opener (usually red) and one wire is for the ground or negative.
Yes, the negative (black) wire just hooks up to any screw that screws into metal. I don't know what a reverse feed wire is as I've never heard that terminology b4. I'm guessing that's the wire for the garage door opener or the compass (not sure).
Can you post a pic of the mirror in question?
As far as extending the wires on the pigtail, the best way to do it is to solder wire to the existing pigtail wires and cover it with heat shrink but beyond that, yes you can use a wire tap (small size) like the one I linked to previously or even small solderless connectors (available at Home Depot or Lowes) could be used but I wouldn't recommend them. If you do use them, wrap them and the wires with tape.

 

Do not use wire ties like they use in home wiring as they are not protected very well from moisture. Keep in mind the entire car body is the negative "wire" so it would only take a small amount of moisture or condensation to create a potential short. Solder + Heat shrink is best as mentioned above, otherwise go to the automotive section of almost any retailer or an auto parts store or hardware store and get the connectors there.

 

The only thing I can think of that would be a "reverse" feed would be that the auto dimming feature would shut off in reverse (which makes sense). I'm guessing that this would be a 12V + signal from the reverse light switch that when 12V is applied, would shut off the auto dimming function. There is a posibility (slim) that it operates the opposite of what I stated meaning a 12V - signal (or chassis ground) will cancel operation. If this is the case, you will need to hook up both wires to a 12V + source (switched when car is on or ACC). It is probably a 12V + signal though.

Here's what I would do: Hook up the 12V+ and ground wires and do not connect the reverse feed wire. If it works, great, if not, hook up the reverse feed to chassis ground. If it still doesn't work, hook up the reverse feed to +12V. If it still doesn't work, then, I don't know.