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Auto dimming mirror installation

Discussion in 'Prius c Accessories and Modifications' started by col127, Aug 2, 2012.

  1. TC400

    TC400 Active Member

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    My 1999 GMC Jimmy had that type of auto mirror. I would like the one with temp and compass. But I don't think I could deal with all the wires and getting the wires into the map lights.
     
  2. firstrival

    firstrival Member

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    The guide warns to cover up the airbag assembly. What are the chances of triggering an airbag deployment while taking the cover off?
     
  3. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    Zero chance. The airbags are deployed by sensors. They are not triggered easily.
     
  4. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

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    Static discharge can set these off.
     
  5. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    Ok, here we go, static, really??? Can you give me an example of when that's happened?
     
  6. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

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    I've never seen it happen, but here's a recall notice for some Volkswagen vehicles dealing with static discharging them and some Toyota vehicles dealing with spilled drinks in the console discharging them.

    Air Bag-Related Recalls Demonstrate The Need For Real-World Testing As A Prerequisite For Any Air Bag Mandate Whatsoever | Competitive Enterprise Institute


    Granted, this is an old article and I'm sure things have been shored since, so I may be relaying information that is no longer relevant, kind of like saying let your car warm up before driving... if so, sorry.
     
  7. propman07

    propman07 Junior Member

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    I don't mean to thread jack....but I have a question. I am trying to find a +12V switched supply for a dash cam. I have a 2012 Prius that has controls for the sunroof near the map lights. Do you think that I could tap into the +12V going to the sun roof switch so that I don't have to run wires down the A pillar?

    Thanks.
     
  8. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    Does your sunroof work with the key off (IG OFF)
     
  9. propman07

    propman07 Junior Member

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    No. The sunroof does not work with the engine off. Kind of makes me think that there is a switched +12V source right where I need it....in the cluster of controls near the map lights/sunroof control.

    Thanks.
     
  10. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    Yes, then there is def a switched 12v source there. Feel free to tap into it. Do you have a power detector light or a multimeter?
     
  11. propman07

    propman07 Junior Member

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    Yes, I have both. I'll have to figure out how to remove the bezel near the map lights/sunroof controls to check.
     
  12. JGI

    JGI Member

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    Hi David, just wondering if you were able to find a switched +12 in that area. I have a 2014 with a sunroof as well. Thanks
     
  13. propman07

    propman07 Junior Member

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    Hi-

    I haven't been able to carve out any time to look into this further. I ordered some plastic panel removal tools, and they should be in later this week. I'm hoping to try to take a look at this on Saturday. I'll post back my findings.
     
  14. propman07

    propman07 Junior Member

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    Hi-

    Well, I finally got around to looking for my +12V source near the map lights/sunroof switch. I was able to pull the entire cluster out with the help of some plastic panel removal tools that I ordered. There are four plastic mounts similar to what are typically used on door panels that attach the map light cluster to the interior. It was a little difficult to remove, but I just used the plastic tools to lift the edges, got a firm hold with my fingers, and pulled straight down, and it popped off. I also removed the piece of plastic trim near the front windshield using the same technique.

    I looked in the harness that fed the map light cluster (24 pin connector) for a +12V source. I thought that I had found the right combination (solid green and solid blue wire), but it didn't seem to work. When I had my volt meter on them, they would show zero with the key off, and they would show +12V with the key on. At first, I tapped into them thinking that I could use them for my source, but when I connected my source to them, it didn't work. I'm guessing that the +12V didn't like the load it was connected to. I ended up tapping into the wires that feed the auto dimming mirror.

    There are three wires that feed the auto dimming mirror. Red, tan, and white with a black stripe. The white with a black stripe is ground, and the tan wire is +12V. I checked them with my volt meter, and they were off when the key was off, and +12V when the key was on. I tapped into them, connected them to the load that I had, and did a test run. Everything worked the way that I wanted it to, so I made the connections permanent.

    I bought a 12V to 5V USB converter from e-Bay along with some short USB right angle cables. After I tied into the wires for the auto dimming mirror, I cleaned up all of the wiring. I hid the converter and wiring in the gap between the headliner and the roof. I added some 3M double back tape to the converter, and mounted it to the headliner so that it would not rattle around. I was able to run the USB cable along side the plastic mount that covers the wires for the auto dimming mirror. It came out pretty nice, and works exactly how I wanted it to. Now, I can power my dash cam without having the wire hanging from the rear view mirror.

    Thanks for all of the help from others in this thread. Let me know if there are any questions.
     
  15. dbattle

    dbattle New Member

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    Did you happen to see what the Red wire did? Did it stay on at all times?
     
  16. propman07

    propman07 Junior Member

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    I didn't check the red wire. I initially probed the tan and white/black wire, and saw that they were 12V with the key on. When I turned the key off, the voltage went to 0, so I figured that I was good.
     
  17. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    I recognize this is an old thread but I was looking into adding a self dimming mirror to my 2007. I acquired a perfect A++ condition mirror with the electrical plug and about a foot of wiring. Red, Black and White with a black stripe. There seems to be a bit of confusion on the wires so I just thought I'd put some info into this thread. Based on my electrical schematics for 2007:

    Red is supplied 12v continuous by the DOME fuse (15A)
    Black is supplied 12v by the ECU-IG fuse (7.5A)
    White with black stripe is the common (ground)
     
  18. Hawkeye63

    Hawkeye63 New Member

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    is pin 21 in the 3c connector harness acc 12v that only works when headlights are on?