Homelink/auto dimming mirror

shandrea · 03-13-2006, 04:54 PM

Just picked up my new 2006 black package 4. The only thing I wish I had (other than bluetooth) is the auto dimming mirror with homelink. I know nothing about installing electronics in cars (I think I caused major electrical problems in one of my other cars by installing a cd changer that worked for about a week --- anyone know of a good electrical mechanic in the Seattle area?). There is a power source going to the overhead lights, which is only inches away from rear view mirror. Can a homelink mirror be added to my car by hooking into this power source? The dealer had no idea when I asked.

Also, are there aftermarket mirrors that are powered by batteries rather than hard wired? If not, someone needs to invent one. I can't imagine the mirror needing more than a hearing aid battery or two. I'd invent it if I knew anything about how electronics work. (If you do invent such a great invention which would greatly increase the availability of auto-dimming homelink mirrors in cars of all kinds, please let me know -- I want one).

haynesj · 03-13-2006, 05:21 PM

Dealer don't know, but service dept. does! at least mine did.

Had installed on 2005, they pull down the head liner.

Mirror,ADIM,Prius = $238.00

Mirror Install = $194.40

Also had cd changer installed, I'd rather them pull my dash apart! Install price was $90.00

shandrea · 03-13-2006, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by haynesj@Mar 13 2006, 03:21 PM

Mirror,ADIM,Prius = $238.00

[snapback]224404[/snapback]

Thanks!

What is ADIM? Did it include homelink?

haynesj · 03-13-2006, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by shandrea@Mar 13 2006, 09:12 PM
Thanks!

Your welcome,

What is ADIM? Did it include homelink?

[snapback]224484[/snapback]

ADIM is some ID that Toyota put on the parts invoice. auto dimming / infrared / mirror. or something like that.

Yes it included homelink.

BobSoNH · 03-25-2006, 07:26 AM

Hello from a new prius owner. This is my first post.

I've had my black 2006 package 3 for 3 weeks and I absolutely love the car! Before I decided on a prius I drove a friend's 2005 that had the auto dimming mirror and thought it was realy cool. The dealer where I bought the car wanted to charge $552 to install one, which I though was too much so I declined. Now I think about it every night when I flip the mirror, and every time when I fumble for the garage door opener. So I called another dealer and was told they would charge $39 to install the mirror. The parts guy I talked to said there was a note in the book that the auto dimming miror conflicts with the side curtain airbags. I asked what that meant, but he didn't know. Since my dealer wanted over $280 to install the mirror, I have doubts the one that quoted $39 knows what's involved. But my main concern is that either they'll get the headliner off and then discover the power connection is not available (being used by the air bags), or that they will disable the air bags. Anyone have any ideas what this conflict is about? Anyone had a miror installed on a prius with side curtain airbags?

Thanks. I've found PC to be a wonderful resource.

rposton · 03-25-2006, 08:34 AM

My 06 came with both the Auto-dimming mirror, and the side curtain airbags. Mirror works, I have no desire to test the airbags.

BTW, FYI, in another thread, I read that one can control the aggressivness of the dimming feature of the mirror by covering a small sensor on the back part of the mirror with something. Piece of celephone tape about 1/2" long would work, darker the tape, more aggressive the dimming feature. I have thought about using black eletric tape, and just covering part of the hole.

GeoGeek · 04-05-2006, 08:56 PM

I have an '06 package 4 that came from the factory without the auto-dimming/Homelink mirror.
When we bought the car a month ago, the dealer agreed to put the mirror on for us for the "factory option" price of $269.
Just got it installed today & it works great....apparently no conflict with the side curtain air bags.
$39 sounds too good to be true and $500 sounds more like a rip off to me.
Your dealer should be bending over backwards to make sure you're happy.
Good luck in your negotiation.

auricchio · 04-05-2006, 11:51 PM

The airbag conflict is because the wiring in the A-pillar is installed before the airbags at the factory. A field install must avoid the airbag so the wiring doesn't snag the airbag should it deploy.

Some shops probably want to avoid going near the airbag.

talonts · 04-12-2006, 05:26 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rick Auricchio @ Apr 5 2006, 10:51 PM) [snapback]235691[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

The airbag conflict is because the wiring in the A-pillar is installed before the airbags at the factory. A field install must avoid the airbag so the wiring doesn't snag the airbag should it deploy.

Some shops probably want to avoid going near the airbag.
[/b]

Installing and avoiding the airbag wiring is trivial, though, as the wiring is tucked up tight against the A-pillar.

Instructions for the install have been available at VFAQ.NET since late 03.

craigcush · 04-13-2006, 01:38 AM

If you are so inclined to find a installer and want to avoid the overpriced retail,
I have a unused homelink dimming mirror I would sell.
I prefer the old fashion mirror and took this one off my #6 first day.

Do find someone that knows what they are doing for the work.

And elsewhere on PC here many have used black tape on the front of the mirror (can't see it) and just use the power button to turn off and on, pretty cool.

03-25-2006, 07:26 AM	#5
BobSoNH Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: South-Central NH Posts: 15 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Hello from a new prius owner. This is my first post. I've had my black 2006 package 3 for 3 weeks and I absolutely love the car! Before I decided on a prius I drove a friend's 2005 that had the auto dimming mirror and thought it was realy cool. The dealer where I bought the car wanted to charge $552 to install one, which I though was too much so I declined. Now I think about it every night when I flip the mirror, and every time when I fumble for the garage door opener. So I called another dealer and was told they would charge $39 to install the mirror. The parts guy I talked to said there was a note in the book that the auto dimming miror conflicts with the side curtain airbags. I asked what that meant, but he didn't know. Since my dealer wanted over $280 to install the mirror, I have doubts the one that quoted $39 knows what's involved. But my main concern is that either they'll get the headliner off and then discover the power connection is not available (being used by the air bags), or that they will disable the air bags. Anyone have any ideas what this conflict is about? Anyone had a miror installed on a prius with side curtain airbags? Thanks. I've found PC to be a wonderful resource. __________________ Black '06 #3 BT Stiffening Plate, Cargo Net, Splash Guards, Rubber Bumper Protector, 20" Rear Wiper, Zaino Coastal EV, Still waiting for '06 Front End Mask from Sigma

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03-13-2006, 04:54 PM	#1
shandrea Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 28 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Just picked up my new 2006 black package 4. The only thing I wish I had (other than bluetooth) is the auto dimming mirror with homelink. I know nothing about installing electronics in cars (I think I caused major electrical problems in one of my other cars by installing a cd changer that worked for about a week --- anyone know of a good electrical mechanic in the Seattle area?). There is a power source going to the overhead lights, which is only inches away from rear view mirror. Can a homelink mirror be added to my car by hooking into this power source? The dealer had no idea when I asked. Also, are there aftermarket mirrors that are powered by batteries rather than hard wired? If not, someone needs to invent one. I can't imagine the mirror needing more than a hearing aid battery or two. I'd invent it if I knew anything about how electronics work. (If you do invent such a great invention which would greatly increase the availability of auto-dimming homelink mirrors in cars of all kinds, please let me know -- I want one).

03-13-2006, 05:21 PM	#2
haynesj Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 3 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Dealer don't know, but service dept. does! at least mine did. Had installed on 2005, they pull down the head liner. Mirror,ADIM,Prius = $238.00 Mirror Install = $194.40 Also had cd changer installed, I'd rather them pull my dash apart! Install price was $90.00

03-25-2006, 08:34 AM	#6
rposton Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 106 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #8 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	My 06 came with both the Auto-dimming mirror, and the side curtain airbags. Mirror works, I have no desire to test the airbags. BTW, FYI, in another thread, I read that one can control the aggressivness of the dimming feature of the mirror by covering a small sensor on the back part of the mirror with something. Piece of celephone tape about 1/2" long would work, darker the tape, more aggressive the dimming feature. I have thought about using black eletric tape, and just covering part of the hole.

04-05-2006, 08:56 PM	#7
GeoGeek Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Auburndale, FL Posts: 240 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 4,294,967,295 Times in 4,294,967,295 Posts TOTM Awards: 1 Friends: 0	I have an '06 package 4 that came from the factory without the auto-dimming/Homelink mirror. When we bought the car a month ago, the dealer agreed to put the mirror on for us for the "factory option" price of $269. Just got it installed today & it works great....apparently no conflict with the side curtain air bags. $39 sounds too good to be true and $500 sounds more like a rip off to me. Your dealer should be bending over backwards to make sure you're happy. Good luck in your negotiation.

04-05-2006, 11:51 PM	#8
auricchio Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cambria, CA, USA Posts: 857 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #8 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	The airbag conflict is because the wiring in the A-pillar is installed before the airbags at the factory. A field install must avoid the airbag so the wiring doesn't snag the airbag should it deploy. Some shops probably want to avoid going near the airbag.

04-13-2006, 01:38 AM	#10
craigcush Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sedona, Az Posts: 157 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	If you are so inclined to find a installer and want to avoid the overpriced retail, I have a unused homelink dimming mirror I would sell. I prefer the old fashion mirror and took this one off my #6 first day. Do find someone that knows what they are doing for the work. And elsewhere on PC here many have used black tape on the front of the mirror (can't see it) and just use the power button to turn off and on, pretty cool.