How to: Upgrade to an auto-dimming rear view mirror

[@CraigsDIY]

Find a new mirror on Amazon... US: amzn.to/2ie8ReU | UK: amzn.to/2hTFe6d ...or get a used one from a wreckers.

[@statalene1021]

good morning, where are the 3 wires connected on the mirror and in the ceiling light? from the video it seems that 2 wires start from the same contact on the mirror. thank you

[@davidmendez4205]

This guy's voice lulled me to sleep and made me feel safe.

[@nihilnovi66]

me too :)))

[@Jess_E2024]

Like honey 🍯

[@Nasir_VR6]

Lmao

[@tupamarek]

I have been looking for a guide in three different languages for many hours and your video tutorial is just awesome. Thanks a lot!

[@rgruenhaus]

Replacements for my auto dimming mirror is no less than $99 here in the USA. The Ford Dealership wants $212 for my 2011 Fusion hybrid. There is no on/off button or power light on mine. You got lucky with a power source that close!

[@Nmiguy]

Very helpful. Please clarify which of the courtesy light wires are the main ground, and the positive. And thought it would be helpful to have a closeup of the finished exposed wiring as viewed from under and back of the newly installed dimming mirror. Thanks again for such a lot of work to help us all.

[@jayramschannel4839]

One issue, if your car sits for a while that mirror is going to draw on your battery if you do not manually turn it off. I personally would have ran a wire down the windshield pillar to a switched power source so it does not work unless the acc or ignition is on. That way it does not require you to switch it off and on manually. A good source is your stereo. It will have power even if you switch off the vehicle and remain seated in it. Once the door is opened the radio and mirror would then switch off. That's just me personally though. Also some alarms work off the interior lights pulling a draw, the door opening. You have such a vehicle and don't turn off the mirror and a car drives by and hits your car with the headlights and guess what. You're waking up to a false alarm. This would happen a lot in a busy neighborhood

[@Nmiguy]

Just undo your battery’s ground. Otherwise other things will inevitably be drawing it down.

[@anthonybushell102]

It can never be a waste of money if you enjoy doing the project

[@gasgiant7122]

Great tutorial, good clear instructions, thanks.

[@rage242]

The manual for those mirrors says to NEVER spray cleaner directly on the mirror itself because it will damage it. You're supposed to spray the cleaner on the rag, then wipe.

[@Nmiguy]

I noticed that too. Only mild dawn and h2o, never ammonia or vinegar❗️❗️

[@chrishurn2701]

I did the same upgrade a few years ago on my Chevy Silverado since it only cost $10 on ebay -- I don't know if there's a fix, but the electrochromic mirror, as Chevy calls it, almost always displays the wrong direction on the compass feature in the mirror -- The dim feature works great. Along with the mirror, I also got the OEM fog lights I was too cheap for when it was new; they were $18. The best part of it was both options were pre-wired at the factory and a harness and plug were right where I needed them to be -- For the fog lights, I just had to cut out the spaces in the plastic molding below the bumper to mount them, then install a switch in the dash; the wiring for that was there as well. I suppose it makes sense from an assembly line perspective to pre-wire various options; makes me wonder if all manufacturers do this???

[@davidparson7949]

I worked for TMMTX and worked on the assembly line. Tundra and Tacoma were pre-wired for additional options. It was cheaper to make it that way, plus it didn't add abnormal work to the supplier process.

[@ScottGarman]

Isn't power to the courtesy light always available when the car is off, meaning that the rearview mirror could be drawing power all the time and potentially drain your battery? I've always assumed for dashcams and so on you need to run another cable to the fuse box on an outlet that only gets power when the ignition is on.

[@CraigsDIY]

On my Ford there is a power-saving relay on most of these interior circuits which kills everything after 20 mins of the car being left alone, so it's not an issue. The mirror also draws very little power.

[@bbranquinho3133]

On Mercedes 2004 there is a power-saving relay on most of these interior circuits which kills everything after 60 mins of the car being left alone

[@Sci-Mon1]

Crazy how this is still an option on new cars and costs $600 when you can just buy one for $20 and connect te cables and done

[@SamY-el6vm]

Hello, thanks for the informative video. I'm in the process to upgrade the mirror on my Altima. When I was to buy the auto-dimming mirror, the store asked me if my car has navigation or not. Do you know how the navigation and mirror can be related?

[@CraigsDIY]

Um not sure. Probably he was thinking to up-sell you to some gadgetry mirror that includes some digital screen functionality?

[@SamY-el6vm]

Craig's DIY Car Thanks for your response. I bought on auto dimming mirror with compass and home links feature from another model Nissan car. Do you think I should get the power from sunroof or I need to wire it all the way to the fuse box of my altima?

[@JoMarieHartup]

Could you conceivably connect this to a normal battery or would that not last very long? I'm about to get an 18 plate yaris which does not have this kind of mirror in it so I'd love to upgrade it but I have none of the tools you mentioned.

[@CraigsDIY]

Well anything is possible. Car devices need 12 V so it depends on what you mean by a 'normal battery'. So as a flight of fancy imagine you had 8 x 1.5V AA cells and wired them up in a series pack. Each stores about 4 Whr and this mirror draws about 1 W, meaning you'd expect to get ~32 hrs of use from that. Redo for other batteries as you wish. Batteries will have to be stored somewhere. You will also need to remember to turn it off and on as it won't be wired up to ignition. As you might be starting to imagine it will be easier to just do it properly much as shown.

[@gasgiant7122]

You could check behind the interior light the wiring and or plug is sometimes already there

[@iceicebuddy]

Looking for a solution to undo this "upgrade". Previous owner butchered the procedure and sprayed expanding adhesive all over the glass and then the mirror fell. I just want to see who's driving behind me. haha I'm screwed.

[@johnlambert6106]

Great little video on this subject well done.

[@peterpoland549]

Hi, thanks for the video, can you provide a wiring diagram for this mirror please.

[@karenyoung5317]

I want to upgrade my Infiniti Q50 but I'm not sure what type of wire I need to purchase. any input would be great!

[@themikias]

search "Gentex Series 8 FramelessAuto-Dimming Mirror 50-genk8a" on amazon it comes with a generic cable that you can have a shop wire it for the low.

[@MrKohli1000]

From which car was this Auto dimming mirror removed? I've got a similar one already retrofitted in my second hand Toyota hilux, and unfortunately, it failed. So I wish to replace it but I don't know which vehicle's auto dimming mirror to find.

[@CraigsDIY]

It's from my Mondeo, it doesn't really matter other than by getting the same unit it looks 'factory' and also can re-use the same windscreen mount.

[@abdullaalzayani9159]

excellent video just what a i needed

[@stevenharpervw]

Great video

[@1949carlton]

I have a 2016 Veloster Turbo with factory auto dimming rear view mirror, it has never worked since I purchased the car new. Do I need to subscribe to bluelink to have it work? Found out after I purchased that even though I had the Tech package which include remote start and remote climate control, they would not work without a $200/ year Bluetec subscription! Love the car but that’s just not right. Thanks for your great video and would appreciate any info you may have on mirror. Thanks, CW Midlothian, Va

[@CraigsDIY]

That really doesn't sound right, even the remote start etc. Try talking to a different dealer? As to the auto dimming mirror, as shown in the video they are very simple, so long as they have power and are switched on they should dim when dark in front and light behind. Is it powered on? Check the rear sensor isn't blocked. If it's faulty it sounds like your car may still be under warranty so that would be the way to go.

[@nmaggio]

There are 3 wires in the mirror, did you connect the reverse light wire to undimm it?

[@CraigsDIY]

No. I would have to run a new wire down to the dash and tap into the reverse circuit as the factory loom isn't in place. I didn't really see the point.

[@metodde9792]

Hello, I watched your KZbin video on how to DIY upgrade to auto dimming rear view mirror. I successfully installed it on my Toyota Corolla LE 2016 model but it's stays on on default. Even when i turn off the engine it stays on. If i turn it off manually, i have to always turn it on manually each time. Please what can i do?

[@CraigsDIY]

You would need to wire it down to the ACC or engine circuit for it to be off with the key. As explained I'm relying on the car's power saving relay which kills power to things like the courtesy lights after 20 mins. Check yours after half an hour of engine off and locked doors and see if the mirror is cut off.

[@santhasup2290]

i have one on my MK3.. well looking for dim the side mirrors now heh

[@statalene1021]

good morning, where are the 3 wires connected on the mirror and in the ceiling light? from the video it seems that 2 wires start from the same contact on the mirror. thank you

[@13g01as]

1 wire is for the reverse undim function which u dims the mirror the moment you engage reverse

[@carlosbellamysr.4372]

How to replace my existing rear view mirror on my 2018 Hyundai sonata for a home link rear view mirror

[@1cecold]

Well problem with connecting it directly to the courtesy light (KL30) is that dimming will always be running and that brings a risk of drained battery. Atm I'm trying to figure out a way to connect mine to ACC line (KL15) so that when the vehicle is completely off it wont draw any current.

[@CraigsDIY]

That would be a problem. If you connected it to a courtesy light circuit. And if the courtesy light circuit was not killed by a power saver function. ACC or ignition will work, use a fuse tap in the cabin fuse panel, you will have to run wires down through the A-pillar.

[@Sci-Mon1]

@@CraigsDIY have you had your battery drained since you connected it to the courtesy lights?

[@Dsturb85]

I have a 2010 Corolla with an interior dome light just like that 1 and I want to upgrade my mirror to a new one like this cause it's wearing out can I use the same type of installation as you did? I don't know anything about wiring and I really don't want to have to start to mess around with stuff like that I've been searching for the past hour on Google trying to find anyone else who had the same installation done on their 2010 corolla like mine and of course I can't find a single forum or video anyone you're the closest I can get please help? Lol

[@prankingnz2255]

hey mate ive just brought the same car that needs a clutch replacement. any ideas on where the cheapest place to buy one in New Zealand would be? also dothese models have the double weight flywheels? cheers

[@CraigsDIY]

The Duratec HE has a dual mass flywheel yes, although I understand they're not as troublesome as the diesels. As to clutch I would suggest try your luck with wreckers as new prices unlikely to be economic.

[@datco4507]

The problem with your connection is that the mirror will continuously draw power even if you remove the key and lock the car because the dome light will work even if you lock the car. 2 weeks or month of not using the car will drain the battery completely.

[@CraigsDIY]

If you watch the video, the mirror is on the car's battery saving relay, it gets killed after ~20 mins.

[@unuAndu]

There are 3 wieres . From left to rigt.. Positive(+) Negative (_ black) and the third one is for what ?? Thanks !

[@CraigsDIY]

The third is a switch wire to be connected to the reversing circuit, to turn the mirror off when reversing. Optional.

[@ErebeaEnd]

I’m thinking of doing this, but am not very savvy with electronics. Anyone who can tell me which wire does what. I get that the black wire is the ground, but the other two wires I don’t get... are they both supposed to be powered, or is one not necessary? Great video nonetheless!

[@CraigsDIY]

You haven't specified your car. On the Mondeo shown, the courtesy light has 2 grounds and battery +ve. The 2nd ground is the door-open circuit, for when the light has its switch in that position. So I am using the permanent ground and the +ve, which are always live (until the battery saver relay kicks in). A multimeter will guide you.

[@ErebeaEnd]

Oh right! It’s a 2001 mk3 Mondeo.

[@ErebeaEnd]

Okay. What about the wiring from the mirror? There are one black wire (which I assume is a ground) and then 2 wires that to me look identical. Are these 2 supposed to be wired together?

[@CraigsDIY]

One is positive as you see me connecting, the other is supposed to be wired up to the reversing circuit and it turns the dimming off when the car is in reverse. Factory set-up has the loom in place and you can connect it easily but in my case I would have to run another wire all the way down to the dash and tap into the right circuit and I didn't bother.

[@ErebeaEnd]

Okay, I’m going to give it a try! Thank you for the help! Cheers.

[@atraxr603]

That's not a mirror from mk3 Mondeo, right? Cause my auto-dimming mirror looks a bit different. Which is factory of course.

[@CraigsDIY]

Yes it's the pre-facelift (or thereabouts) mirror, which has the same mount as the manual mirror so it's easy to swap.

[@atraxr603]

Oh I see. Yea, I think mine has a different mount.

[@KWatson1984]

I think it's a Gentex mirror. There are many versions, some sold aftermarket others via dealer add on. They come stock on Lexus and nicer Toyota trim levels here in the States since the late 90's or early 2000's. Avoid cheap knockoffs.

[@Pro1er]

Maybe because of the weather in England? In America every car I've bought since 1992 has had an auto-dimming (electrochromatic) mirror.

[@Luckingsworth]

That's because you have been buying luxury cars or upgraded packages :p non standard feature most cars in US dont have it.

[@FourInTehMorning]

"The amazing convenience"

[@codycrawford2385]

I wanna put a Auto Dimming mirror in my 03 Pilot

[@harishts7767]

Play in 1.5 speed

[@InetaGphotography]

Had. One and loved it but new one dosent :(

[@LTDCrownVicFanakaRoyalTsnumber]

Looks like a gm rearview mirror out of a silverado

[@CraigsDIY]

Somewhere a Ford designer is offended.