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Auto dimming mirror installation

Discussion in 'Prius c Accessories and Modifications' started by col127, Aug 2, 2012.

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  1. col127

    col127 Member

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    i'm thinking tapping the dome lights may be the easiest thing for me to do - but - being all thumbs, how do i go about doing that? :) kjconrad, any pics of how you removed the headliner, plus the dome lights - and how you connected the wires? sounds like mik1 and you have different interpretations on which wires were for what...

    mik1 - any suggestions on tapping dome lights too? :0

     
    #61 col127, Nov 10, 2012
  2. Mik1

    Mik1 Member

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    Col127 here is the file which I was talking about. If it will be too complicated to take it off, you can actually just pull a small wire behind the garnish without taking it off. Just pull the plastic a little bit and you will get enough space to put the wire behind the garnish.
    As for the dome light, I am not sure how did it work for kjconrad but I tapped hot +12V and grounding in there only. I didn't want the mirror to take the power for auto dimming function all the time so I tapped the switched +12V into my door mirrors control.
     

    Attached Files:

    #62 Mik1, Nov 11, 2012
  3. col127

    col127 Member

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    Thanks for the tips... So the mirror I bought shakes ALL the time :( everything in the mirror view is vibrating. It's really distracting... And I can't get the mirror off now :( I wish I never took off the original. I tried different methods and nothing is working. It's so frustrating!
     
    #63 col127, Nov 19, 2012
  4. Christian

    Christian New Member

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    #64 Christian, Nov 25, 2012
  5. col127

    col127 Member

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    So quick question - I only need to hook up my mirror's 12V wire to the car. I found an install diagram here - http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0176/5842/files/00016-47600_PRIUS_C.pdf?2000 . If I'm using the T-tap connector route (which I was planning to do ), which wire do I connect it to? Is it the one on page 5-6, figure 4-6-figure 4-8? Or is it the other ones on pages 7-8? Thanks :)
     
    #65 col127, Nov 30, 2012
  6. Mik1

    Mik1 Member

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    Col, the pin #8 in Fig. 4-10 is the switch +12V, that is the same one which I used for my mirror. Switch +12V usually goes to auto dimming function or compass function of your mirror. Since I've taken hot +12V from my dome light, I can't be 100% right about pin #21 in Fig 4-6, but I am very positive that this pin is a hot +12V (mostly for homelink function). Ground wire you can find almost everywhere, but you can follow this instruction and tap into pin #7 in Fig. 4.12
     
    #66 Mik1, Nov 30, 2012
  7. col127

    col127 Member

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    Thanks Mik1 - that's very helpful :)
     
    #67 col127, Dec 4, 2012
  8. col127

    col127 Member

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    Installation was a success! However, had a few questions.

    #1 For grounding the wire, I grounded it to this screw (see attached) - not sure if it's against metal though - do I need to ground it to something else?

    Mik1 - the screw you attached it to, I couldn't figure out what tool would remove the nut - it was almost squarish in size, so I didn't know how to remove it.

    grounding.jpg
    #2 How did you 'hide the wire'? I just ran it down the side of the dash and then into the fuse area - but it looks ugly - see the next photo. How did you guys do it?

    wire.jpg

    Thanks!

    My only problem with my mirror is that it shakes like crazy :( and i can't remove the mirror off the base because it's stuck now.
     
    #68 col127, Dec 5, 2012
  9. Mik1

    Mik1 Member

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    Hi Col127,

    As I mentioned earlier, I connected my ground wire to the dome light's ground wire; however if this screw is touching some metal parts you should be fine. I can take my cover off tonight and check it as well.

    I pulled my wire behind pillar garnish, and the link which you put some time ago also shows the same way of hiding the wires. If you don't want to mess with pillar, try to pull it behind that door's rubber sealant, all the way underneath the dash bottom. Hope it will help!
     
    #69 Mik1, Dec 5, 2012
  10. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    That screw does not look like it touches metal. Does it screw into metal? It looks like it screws into plastic to me.
     
    #70 usnavystgc, Dec 5, 2012
  11. col127

    col127 Member

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    It screws into plastic, but behind it is metal of the car... :p So the screw does go into that metal piece... i put the connector between the washer & the screw so it's sandwiched it between metal.

    Does that ground it? I don't know how this works :)
     
    #71 col127, Dec 5, 2012
  12. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    I would not trust that as a ground. It needs to "touch" bare metal of the chassis. I'm not confident that screw touches the bare metal of the chassis. There are undoubtedly several other screws nearby that screw directly into the metal of the chassis.
     
    #72 usnavystgc, Dec 5, 2012
  13. col127

    col127 Member

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    Hmmm, okay - maybe I'll just get a lug nut and attach the wire to the OTHER side of the screw (so it will be directly against the metal of the car) :)

    That should do the trick right? :)
     
    #73 col127, Dec 5, 2012
  14. Mik1

    Mik1 Member

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    I've checked that screw, and it is actually connected to the metal parts holding the dash itself, but further down these metal braces are welded to the center beam which also holds the steering wheel column.
     
    #74 Mik1, Dec 5, 2012
  15. col127

    col127 Member

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    Hey Mik1,

    Thanks for checking. So, is that sufficient where it is (as in the pic) or should I attach it to the other side of the screw so it's directly against metal? I tried finding a lug nut that would fit the screw but Home Depot didn't have the correct size. Go figure.

     
    #75 col127, Dec 6, 2012
  16. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    That should be sufficient.
     
    #76 usnavystgc, Dec 6, 2012
  17. Mik1

    Mik1 Member

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    I agree, it should be sufficient.
     
    #77 Mik1, Dec 6, 2012
  18. Johnny C

    Johnny C Member

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    I under there is a constant 12+ wire in the dome light. Is there a switched 12+ wire as well? I am trying to avoid routing the wires down the A pillar, if possible.
     
    #78 Johnny C, Apr 14, 2013
  19. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    No and no. The map lights probably have a constant 12V but the switched is nowhere to be found in the overhead. Routing wires down the A pillar will be necessary.
     
    #79 usnavystgc, Apr 15, 2013
  20. Johnny C

    Johnny C Member

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    Thanks for the quick response.
     
    #80 Johnny C, Apr 15, 2013
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