Gentex Mirror Install with Problem

[Blueegg]

There was recently a thread on outside temp monitoring and the temp mirror looks like the way for me to go.
The pictures describe the process.

 

[Blueegg]

This is the mounting button and how I was able to use plexiglass to reuse the OEM cover .

 

[Blueegg]

Getting the mount in the right spot takes several deep breaths. The wiring was easy. I did check and recheck the I had power and ground.

 

[Blueegg]

Mr. Toyota would not like the glue or the wire clips

 

[Blueegg]

The finished product. It has power but just does not work. Nothing
The instructions don't mention and on off switch or a reset.

 

[treerootCO]

The icon below is the on/off button. It is a combination of 1 and 0 - binary for on and off.

 

[Blueegg]

Oh, The temp probe on an ARB with a Slee dryer plate.

 

[Blueegg]

The icon below is the on/off button. It is a combination of 1 and 0 - binary for on and off.

Nothing happens with pressing the icon as per the instructions. I'm going to do some bench testing with the mirror. Maybe the wiring was not so easy.

 

[wearsabrowncoat]

How many wires coming out of the mirror?
Looks like you tapped into the light for power, what about ground? Tell us more about the wiring and maybe we can help.

 

[supercarrera]

Don't tap into the map lights. Tap into the sunroof motor power. If you have a wiring diagram, you should be able to figure out which one it is. I have a 94. I took the trim around the sunroof out and separated the headliner from the sunroof opening to get access to the sunroof motor wires. It may be a little different for a 96. Hope this helps. When I installed mine, it came on right away.

 

[IdahoDoug]

I ran the power wire up the driver's A pillar from whence I tapped power down in the kick panel. It's a prototype Gentex I got 10 years ago and still works fine. The auto dimming spoils ya, but no outside temp. I'd like to get a temp/compass/dimming model for the family 80.

DougM

 

[wearsabrowncoat]

Any luck?

Agree that you should tap the sunroof for power especially since it doesn't look like your mirror has homelink or map lights. However since you did use the light it should have powered up your mirrior right away. Is there a way to bench test it with a 12v source?

I like the Plexiglas solution, what was the thickness used?

You could now use the cap part to attach a radar detector to. Would look better than those dumb suction cups they usually come with.

By the way your button mount looks to be in the perfect spot. How far down from the headliner is it to the top of the mount?

 

[Blueegg]

Problem solved. With the mirror's simple 2 wires connected directly to power and ground it immediately came on.

Wiring into the sunroof looked good but proved more difficult than it appeared and no wiring diagrams. The light has constant power and the switch opens the ground; powering the mirror all the time would waste the battery for nothing.

Following the instruction, I ran a power wire from the lighter circuit and immediately.

 

[Blueegg]

Any luck?

Agree that you should tap the sunroof for power especially since it doesn't look like your mirror has homelink or map lights. However since you did use the light it should have powered up your mirrior right away. Is there a way to bench test it with a 12v source?

I like the Plexiglas solution, what was the thickness used?

You could now use the cap part to attach a radar detector to. Would look better than those dumb suction cups they usually come with.

By the way your button mount looks to be in the perfect spot. How far down from the headliner is it to the top of the mount?

The plexiglass was 1/8 in.thick and 48mm wide with several washers. It worked with OEM screws but just barely and I did buy some slightly longer ones. The cover snaps on perfectly.
I'm not totally happy with the button position. You need two sets of eyes, since it is so small and you just get one chance with the fast drying glue.

 

[Blueegg]

Just remeasured, and the top of the mounting button is 100mm from the top of the windshield using the pictured square.

 

[wearsabrowncoat]

Thanks for the Plexiglas info and measurements.

I'm not totally happy with the button position

So would you move it up, down, or was it not perfectly centered?

 

[Blueegg]

The button height is perfect and 100mm just happened to be the distance. It could go a little up or down. I'm not completely happy with the position of the button because it is a little off center and not completely perpendicular.

During the glue positioning exercise it was hard to make minor adjustments because of the vantage point of the front seat and the hand being in the line of sight. This was also true during the glass marking before it went up with the glue.

The positioning imperfections are not easily apparent with the mirror attached, because the mirror base covers the button and the mirror itself needs to angle to the drivers side. As the photo reveals, with the mirror attached, it looks well positioned from the inside. From the outside, a critical eye is needed the see the position problem.

A more detailed pre-marking the glass would have helped. Someone standing in front might have helped as would attaching the button to an applicator. If one were going to do several of these a plexiglass positioning jig would be nice. But this was suppose to be a quick and easy upgrade?

 

[hzavarce]

Blueegg,

Where di you buy the mirror ?

 

[SeanAndHis80]

Blueegg,

Where di you buy the mirror ?

I'll take a stab at it... eBay. They are available every day at about $50. ...however for that price you will need to buy harnesses x2 - one for power and one for temperature with the sensor. That will add up to about $35-40 additional. Search on "temp compass mirror" and you will see. Mine is on the way

 

[Blueegg]

Mine came from Error Page
In Dec. 08 these were $179 and free shipping.

The mirror is a nice addition but if I were to do it again I'd get one with the home link. Wiring the mirror to the sunroof motor power line as described by waresbrownpants is on the to do list.