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auto-dimming mirror

9

97GLblack

CEG'er
Joined
Jan 5, 2008
Messages
88
Location
Minnesota N-burbs
I was planning on installing an auto-dimming mirror and I need to splice in somewhere. I need a positive,negetive and positive when in reverse lead. I was wondering if on cars equipped with the MTX if the plug under the center console for the ATX shifter that lights up the gear selector has any type of power running to it or if it was possible to run power there. If not does anybody know where a good place to tap in to a positive and negetive feed would be and where the wires for the reverse lights run in the cabin.
 
my advice from installing these mirros on 7 of my own cars, screw the reverse disengage wire. all you need is to wire the power and ground. the reason for the reverse disengage wire is a safety precaution so the mirror will not go to auto dim mode when vehicle is in reverse so people that only use their mirror for backing up will be able to see. i have never wired mine that way and many of the mirrors like this that go into suv's do not have it as they have heavily tinted windows and the feature would be redundent. now here is the interesting part and the best reason not to wire it in. when i was with a gm dealer, we used to replace a lot of those mirrors. talked to an engineer one day and he informed me the reason they go out is because that reverse disconnect circuit is a weak spot on these mirrors. that reasoning helped justify my laziness!!! :cool: now a lot can change in 10 years but still.......... as for where to go, take out your interior light and remove the drivers side sunvisor and drivers side a pillar trim. pop down your fuse box and find a small amp fuse that comes on with ignition. go to auto zone and get a pack of the little brass electrical connectors that go around the male side fuse blade and have a flat male blade on it that sticks out. pull the fuse out and put it on the non hot side of the fuse and install the fuse. install a female blade terminal on some wire and rout you wire up along the a pillar, headliner and through to your mirror harness. then just make a short ground wire and ground it right to one of the screws that hold the light housing in place. theres your ground, reinstall everything and your ready to go. this way you are not tapping into any wires and if you want to take it out, sell the car whatever, its easy to take out! i love those mirrors!!!!
 
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Where's a good place to get these really cheap. Even on eBay them seem to go for around $70. I'm looking for one with temperature at least.
 
i frequent u-pull it junk yards and find them from time to time. i only found one with the temperature in it. u can tell if the wiring harness has four wires too it. and then u follow the wiring harness out to the temp. sensor which is usually located around the front lower air inlet area. if u have to buy them its probably a minimum of $150.00. they are soooo cool though.
 
awwww. why did u have to post that, i was all happy with what i have until u mentioned that. they make the mirrors with red display???????:cool:
 
Try the LKQ store, hit the interior parts link and search for "rear view"
http://stores.ebay.com/LKQonline

I recommend picking one up with a harness, otherwise you'll be trying to track one down... When I got my Autodim/Compass/Temperature mirror I ended up having to buy the cheapest autodim mirror I could find just for the harness, then had to get a temperature probe from a GM parts site (the probe and probe connector were seperate items)... Ended up costing me within $10 of what they were going for with a new install kit.

Then I found a good deal on LKQ with an Autodim/Compass/Temperature mirror with 6" harness and temp probe (with it's harness). Picked that bad boy up for like $45 since it came out of a Chevy Express van. I've seen the ones that come out of trucks and SUVs run up near $70 complete like that, so I guess nobody looks for parts off GM Vans :p

However, I went to install that in my Sentra one day and found out Nissan's mirror mount is a hair narrower than GMs, so the mirror won't stay on :(

I will almost bet a mirror coming out of a Pontiac also has a red display... Would be a lot easier to find than an Audi or BMW mirror! There's also a few makes that light up amber...
 
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I prefer having the reverse cut-off feature intact does anyone know where to splice it? I was relly hoping to use the connector for the auto trans shifter since it's just sitting there and not being used. It would make a clean hookup that way, so I was hoping someone could tell me what wires do what and if it even gets power to it:?
 
Big Daddy Kane said:
Try the LKQ store, hit the interior parts link and search for "rear view"
http://stores.ebay.com/LKQonline

I recommend picking one up with a harness, otherwise you'll be trying to track one down... When I got my Autodim/Compass/Temperature mirror I ended up having to buy the cheapest autodim mirror I could find just for the harness, then had to get a temperature probe from a GM parts site (the probe and probe connector were seperate items)... Ended up costing me within $10 of what they were going for with a new install kit.

Then I found a good deal on LKQ with an Autodim/Compass/Temperature mirror with 6" harness and temp probe (with it's harness). Picked that bad boy up for like $45 since it came out of a Chevy Express van. I've seen the ones that come out of trucks and SUVs run up near $70 complete like that, so I guess nobody looks for parts off GM Vans :p

However, I went to install that in my Sentra one day and found out Nissan's mirror mount is a hair narrower than GMs, so the mirror won't stay on :(

I will almost bet a mirror coming out of a Pontiac also has a red display... Would be a lot easier to find than an Audi or BMW mirror! There's also a few makes that light up amber...
Click to expand...


Nope the Pontiac Mirror displays are green. The last Audi I was in had the temp/compass in the Multi-Information Display in the dash, as for BMW, you can't get the mirror without the big red anti-theft globe on the base, so I wouldn't even use one.
 
97GLblack said:
I prefer having the reverse cut-off feature intact does anyone know where to splice it? I was relly hoping to use the connector for the auto trans shifter since it's just sitting there and not being used. It would make a clean hookup that way, so I was hoping someone could tell me what wires do what and if it even gets power to it:?
Click to expand...
:shrug: still wondering if someone can help me with this question???:confused:
 
Your best bit is to pop in there with a multimeter and see. If you don't want to, send me a PM as a reminder Wednesday night or Thursday morning and I'll do it for you on mine.
 
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