Installing Homelink mirrors

Hi mannyprius. I'm replying to give your question a bump and to provide a little distant memory answer. I vaguely recall someone doing this on an '04 or '05 and having a bit of trouble; not major, but not a snap either. The problem is getting an ignition-on switched circuit up to where you need it for the mirror. I think they had to run a wire from under the dash, up through one of the A pillers, under the front of the headliner, and into the area where the lights and storage box is. The power that's up there for the map lights isn't switched, and the door light wouldn't be that useful.

Try searching for electrochromic mirror install, or maybe someone with more knowledge can help.

Oh, and welcome to PriusChat and congratulations on your new car!

My Silver Cloud came with the mirror. I love it for turning on lights with X-10 (no garage door), but it's poor for dimming bright lights behind you. It seems to me that the shadow of the back cross beam is always blocking the photo sensor, but the headlights hit the mirror.

 

You can do it - there is no reason you can't install the Homelink mirror! Find a dealer with more experienced techs and they will be able to guide you better. And if you still don't want to do it yourself, go to a reputable stereo shop and they can install it. The 2005 model isn't significantly different from the 06 so any installation instructions you find will still apply.

 

The mirror has a sort of plastic slide cover that goes from the mount on the glass to the headliner; it covers the power wire to the mirror. I think you can use your existing glass mount, you just need to get switched power up there to tie the mirror to. On packages where it is standard, the wiring harness has the power feed, yours probably doesn't. Have you taken out the overhead console (I don't know what to call it) with the lights and looked for an unused, switched-power wire? If you can't find one, you'll have to get it from under the dash, as I said.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ Feb 2 2007, 09:08 PM) [snapback]384769[/snapback]</div>

I would be surprised if the wiring isn't already there. Also, a dealer here was selling new cars w/ the mirror installed (by dealer). It can be done and I suspect it is not difficult.

 

<_< Hmmmm.... Here's a thought...

Tap the power wire for the "Map Lights." These lights are controlled by push switches at each one as opposed to the courtesy light controlled by the door switches. Seems you could tap into their power source to power the Homelink electrochromatic mirror.

PROBLEM WITH THAT APPROACH! --- Since the Map Lights are always available even when the ignition is OFF, you'd have to remember to switch the Homelink Mirror OFF every time you used it or run the risk of depleting the 12v battery. Perhaps not worth the risk.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(scoot @ Feb 3 2007, 09:00 AM) [snapback]384864[/snapback]</div>

The wiring isn't there. Yes, it can be installed, but not a snap, as it would be if the wiring were there.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Charles Suitt @ Feb 3 2007, 09:40 AM) [snapback]384883[/snapback]</div>

Exactly the reason you have to run a Ig-ON/READY switched power line up to the front of the headliner so you can attach the mirror to it.

Do you guys read the thread and then reply, or just read the first post and reply?

 

IIRC one of the problems is that the wires run under the airbags in the A pillars (which makes working around there tricky).

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ Feb 3 2007, 10:32 PM) [snapback]385066[/snapback]</div>

Watch out. He'll take offense, publicly castigate you, announce to the world that he put you on his ignore list and then bombard you with private messages reminding you that you are on his ignore list.

:lol:

 

I bought a Gentex-453 Auto-Dimming, Homelink, Compass rear view mirror from eBay (WembleySells). I am looking for a installer in Orange County, CA. Can anyone recommend one? I also need an installer for my GPS, and looking to upgrade my stereo and speakers. Maybe there is a shop that can do it all? I have a 2007 Silver Pkg. 2.

Side note: Was on the 405 freeway going South towards San Diego this weekend and for awhile had 4 Silver Prii all going South at the same time, 2 in the car pool lane and 2 in the fast lane all next to each other. It looked like a Prius convoy!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(blzlovr @ Oct 9 2007, 11:54 PM) [snapback]523485[/snapback]</div>

Beach AutoSound in Huntington Beach, CA installed my Homelink rear view mirror. They looked at the instructions and said it might take two hours labor, but when I picked it up they only charged me one hour, 60.00. They said the instructions made it look harder than it really was. I love the new mirror, the programming for the gate and garage door took about 3 minutes. The auto-dimming works really well. They have lots of experience working on Prius cars.

Thank you to the poster who recommended a stereo place to get it installed.