Aftermarket Mirror Instal

Spotted a gentex cheaper than Ive seen before, https://tucson.craigslist.org/pts/5272218890.html. Being techtarded Im worried about ending up spending 100 bucks on labor. I couldnt care less about the homelink, or even auto dimming, but an accurate outside temp and a compass is a necessity. Still cant believe they didn't include that in my '14. I know the thermometer probe is still in the engine bay, but does the wiring extend up into the ceiling? Not to mention power? I have no idea how I would run that all the way through with out tearing sh*t up. Thanks in advance for any help. Also if anyone wants to ditch and trade + cash for their yota temp mirror get at me!

 

Do you know for a fact that your Tacoma actually does have a 'thermometer probe'? Why not try and see if the new mirror will pick up that thermometer that you say your truck has just by plugging it in the connector (that should be right above your overhead section?).

But if still no reading then your truck may have very well "not" have an actual outside temperature thermometer?

Click on the following link below and read a particular post almost half way down (this is the first time that I've heard/read about this?) that someone with a 2014 basically has the same problem as you have and was told that on some 2014's, Toyota did not include the outside temperature/thermometer? Also keep searching here on TW and see if this is true?

 

You have a 2014. I have done the compass/temp/homelink mirror in my 2014 and I can tell you for a fact that your 2014 does NOT have the temperature probe under the hood for a mirror. There is one there, but it's for the car computer and you can't tap in to it for a mirror.

You do have wiring in your header for a mirror, but it's 12v constant, 12v switched, and ground only.

Pull your upper console and look:


It's the wiring plug closest to the windshield.

If you want a temperature sensor you'll have to get it and install it yourself. It's not that hard, just a bit tedious. You don't need to tear anything up. It's two purple wires you need to run behind your battery and through a big grommet in your firewall into the cab, then up the "A" pillar into your header. No need to pull the headliner.

Make sure that in the Craigslist ad you get the temp sensor and wiring with the mirror, or it isn't such a good deal after all. Also, be safe - watch out for CL killers!

 

Not trying to jack your thread...but do the 2015 models have this temp sensor? I'd love to get one of these mirrors...the damn visor is too thick for my garage door opener to clip to. I had the upper console out and saw the plug for the mirror but didn't think to look at the number of wires there.

 

The 2015 models are the same as 2014. No temp sensor, only the power wires. I understand that some of the later builds of the 2015 don't even have the power plug any more...

 

Going off my memory of when I last searched this part number, and the fact that it's right in front of the radiator where my last cars probe was, I figured this was the probe?

 

Is that engine temp? If not I would have no idea where to place the probe. Every location I have tried either picks up too much engine heat or too much direct sun. Here is where I mounted my aftermarket thermometer probe. Yeah it looks tacky, whatever. The pvc seems to help diffuse the engine temp for a bit, but if I idle for a minute or two it's starts climbing fast. It could be the fact that the cycle rate in that thermo is 3x per second, not sure. Or OEM car thermometers are just smart enough to stop reading whenever the car isn't moving. Either way, I've never had inaccurate readings in vehicles with OEM outdoor temp. All may seem very trivial but I should add that an consistently accurate temperature read out is very important for my work and hobbies.

 

That's the OEM computer temperature sensor.

Here's where I mounted mine:



Heat soak is minimal, but you ARE going to register increased temperatures when idling, that's the nature of the beast.

 

I figure but how is it so minimal on vehicles that have it pre installed? If it's going pick up just as much as my jerry rigged one I shouldn't even bother

 

I have a Nissan Altima that has OEM temperature built in, and it heat soaks. The car is light silver, but when I get in during a hot day it's usually 10 degrees or higher than what my phone says it is. Idling and stop and go traffic also show 10 degrees or more as well.

The Gentex one I installed does about the same, variance wise. YMMV though... when driving (in heavy traffic) on the Las Vegas strip it was showing 134 degrees (ambient around 108).

It's up to you!

 

Here's the placement by the way. Bright as hell so I can just flip it closed if need to

 

And thanks for the help guys!