installing aut0-dimming mirror in 2010 Prius 3

actually, don't bother.The spoiler blocks the headlight sensor in the mirror, and it doesn't dim well.

Use the search function, there's a few long threads about the mirror. I was able to pull power from the overhead console that powers the LED that shines when the lights are turned on, since it only needs to dim when it's dark. I'm thinking of buying a visor homelink button set and putting the original mirror back up.

 

I found the "hot when headlights on" wire in the harness and tapped off that. For the homelink buttons, I used the vanity mirror lamp power. I didn't want to play with any more wires on that overhead console plug.

 

I had an auto-dimming mirror with compass installed by a local trim shop for $25.

For do-it-yourself instructions, here's a link to a very detailed explanation, with pictures, of an install on a 2004 Gen II Prius.

ElectroChromic Mirror (ECM) Installation

Hope it helps.

 

lenjack: To remove the passenger A pillar cover, gently pry it off starting from the top next to the headliner. Several plastic body buttons hold it in place. About 1/2 way down on the inside, there's a separate plastic retaining clip that you must rotate 90 degrees in order to release its lock on the metal framing. This clip is important as it keeps the A frame cover from flying off during the air bag deployment. When you re-install the cover, be sure you rotate it 90 degrees again to re-lock it. I have used a needle nose pliers to reach it for the rotations.

Now that the airbag and innards are exposed, you can see the best path to add your wiring to. If you want a lead that becomes "hot" only when the headlights are on, use the green lead from the lower glovebox LED which is powered by the headlight switch. You will need to carefully trim away some of the plastic flexible conduit from the LED to gain access to the green wire. The white wire is the ground lead. Good luck.

 

Here's some installation instructions for the auto dimming mirror for a Gen III but with homelink.

Electrochromatic Mirror with HomeLink-no compass at Sparks Toyota-Scion, Myrtle Beach, SC

 

The A frame cover removal process for the driver's side is the same as the passenger side. The reason I sent you down the passenger side is that the glove box LED is closer to that side. It would do a nice job of powering the auto-dim mirror only when the headlights are on.

 

All you will need is a T-tap for the green lead on the LED and a ground lead should be available just screwing it to the roof (I think there are some bolts up there) inside that little panel forward of the sun-glass holder. You carefully pry it off with a small screwdriver and it too is held up there with a couple of plastic body buttons.

 

Me too! I hope Toyota R&D is reading this forum.

 

Lenjack

Please tell me how your install went and any details and pixs.

I just purchased a used dimmer with homelink that came from an '05 Prius and wondering how easy it is to install on my 2011. I have read other people taking their old one from their Prius and having it installed on their gen III model II.

Seems like a lot of work on the headliner and a-pillar but not really too bad. What gets me is if there is an easier way since I just saw a youtube vid about a 30 sec install of one of these dimmer mirrors onto a new Camry. The guy did it fast but the connections only needed to go into an existing harness in the headliner behind the map light. No such luck in our case though??

Thanks !

 

This install went well and the part procurement was a little rough but the seller did a great job to source the missing parts like the wire harness and the cable cover.

The only thing I will add is that I would forgo using the console area to get to any power or ground since pulling that console down adds the risk of making for a poor fit when you put the console back in. Mine ended up having a gap so you could see wiring inside. I tried to bend the mounting point back up but it just did not help. I tried some different snap/clips that were shorter but that did not help either. Even tried hot melt glue to help glue the original mounting points (rubber ball spaces with adhesive) back against the roof but that did not seem to really hold it in place. I finally just added the glue to rear tabs on the console so that they had enough dried glue on it to make for a tight grip onto the headliner. This helped to lessen that gap but still did not look like it was "like factory". Some might be lucky to pull the console once and get no space/gap. But if I had it to do over again, I would skip wiring anything up in the console area and just take the front cover off that is seated close to the window and just run the wires down from there. I did not care about the power being on when the car was off so I just connected both Red and Black wires from my mirror together and in turn tapped into the outside mirror control harness gray wire (Acc power).

Works great and I did have the issue with the sensor line of sight problem as noted in many places in PC. I did the simple recommended fix and flipped the mirror up side down. Some say the mirror cannot flip that way on their cars and mine seemed to have that problem as well. Then I realized that you have to gently wiggle the mirror right to left little by little after you flip it so it can then position it high enough so you can see the rear window through it. Be careful with the cabling as you flip the mirror so you don't overly strain the wiring or damage it. You can certainly disconnect the harness from the mirror before making any adjustments.

This install was well worth it and I give it a hardy "Recommend!"