How to: Wire a Stock Auto-Dimming Mirror

Here I will show you how to wire a stock auto-dimming mirror to your Tacoma.

What is needed:

First - with the way I've written this, you'll need to have a Tacoma with any type of overhead console. Whether that be one with a temp/compass or one with the garage door opener. Either way, if you don't have one (single cab owners) you could still use this as a guide.. but it wont be very helpful

Second - a beer



Third - your stock Tacoma auto-dimming mirror. The Toyota auto dimming inside rearview mirror is made by Gentex and sold through Mito Corp. Model #50-GENK2A. ($65-80 new) (thank you Pster!)



I've seen them for sale on TW's Buy/Sell/Trade a million times.. take a gander or view Ebay. Usually can find them around for about $50.

Fourth - some wire (preferably black and red for ground and switched power, about 6 inches or so), pin connectors for the back of the mirror, and some wire taps:



You'll only need two. Here is a picture of four. Good times.

Fifth - some hand tools. I'll explain as we go.

So lets begin:

First - lets take off our stock mirror:



Its a piece of junk - feels like it cost about $0.10 to make. Keep it, throw it away, snort coke off it - whatever. I threw it away.

How you take it off - just pull up towards the headliner.. it doesn't have any screws or anything. Just use some force. DO NOT pull out towards you or push in. you will break something. Just pull up and it will give.






As you can see, from under the connector its just a press fitting. You'll be fine.

Second - work on your new mirror. There are four connectors on the back of the mirror. If you're not wiring a backup camera (this one does not have that ability) then all you'll need are two of the four connectors. The one closest to the adjuster is your positive (power), and the one next to the positive is your negative (ground).



(dig mspaint)

Now what we wanna do is get a wire connector and a wire attached to those two poles. Your local Radio Shack has them. I'd suggest taking the mirror to Radio Shack to pick out the connector that works for you. Radio Shack employees know just about as much about electronics as my dog does.



and attach your correctly colored wires to the connectors:



Obviously again, red for power and black for ground.

Third - Lets attach the mirror to the truck. With the stock auto-dimming mirrors you'll need a hex tool. I forgot which one it is, but if you have a set, it's one of the smaller guys..



Slide the mirror onto the metal connector on the windshield (duh) and let the wires hang for now.

Fourth - We need to take our over head console down. If you need detailed instruction how to do so, click on my link here and scroll to half way down the first post.

Fifth - with the center console down, locate the plug for your Temp/Compass. If you do not have a Temp/Compass and have a garage door opener instead; it does not matter. The plug will be there above your garage door opener. All we need are the wires before the plug.



Sixth - Thread your red and black wires from your mirror under the headliner next to the windshield under the headliner where the plug is located. (I also cut the sheathing around the wires to give myself more room to use the connectors. I think this is probably necessary)

We are now ready to use our wire taps and connect our positive (power/red wire from mirror) and our negative (ground/black wire from mirror) to the plug pictured above.

Seventh - Diagram goes as following:

Light Green Wire = Switched Power (attach your red wire using a wire tap to this wire)
Black Stripe/White Wire = Ground (attach your black wire using a wire tap to this wire)

NOTE: There are TWO green wires. One dark, one light. Make sure you use the light green wire!



Eighth - put the plug back where you found it (either clipped to the garage door opener or plugged back into the temp/compass) and re-install your overhead console. (don't forget to put back that little Philips head screw!)

Ninth - Turn on that key! You should get a green light on the mirror if everything is hooked up properly. If not, press the "auto" button and see if it lights up. If that doesn't work, recheck your steps and make sure everything is plugged up properly. (Oh.. and make sure you're reading a temp as well )




How to check if your mirror is functional:

1. Put your thumb over the IR sensor on the back of the mirror
2. Shine a flashlight on the front IR sensor on the front of the mirror
3. Observe. It should slowly but surely dim out. Be patient.. it takes a moment.

Please feel free to contact me through PM if you have any questions.

 

Anytime

 

ibf, why are you so smart? can you figure out how to auto lock my truck???

so i don't think i have that same mirror and when can you and i have a mod day so we can also do the bed lamps and everything else.

 

thanks! Yah, mine isnt a TRD.. so i'm slowly making it a TRD...

OH i think its in your manual.. and yes we can make your bed lamps work next mod day

 

yup. took maybe 30 mins tops.

 

Thanks! Good call!

Just came back from the store and the mirror worked great! I need the little clip to hide the wires, and then it'll be factory.

 

Is there a cover that can be used to cover up the wires?

 

Yes. i have to locate one and i'll update the first page. It clicks into the top of the mirror's connector and then snaps into a dent in the headliner. Next time you get in your tacoma, feel for it; you'll see what i mean.

 

Thanks! I know what you mean. Great write up! Now I need to find me one of these mirrors a a decent price

 

do a search for "auto dim mirror" someone was selling one a while back and wasnt successful. shoot that guy a pm and see what they'd take!

 

cmack, which mirror did you get?

 

Nicely done!

 

Thanks all!

it just got added to the cheap/easy mod's section! Woo!

 

EDIT:

Made the some of the descriptions clearer..

 

perfect, I'm gonna use this as a guideline to hardwire my radar detector.

 

Glad i could help! Its good knowing where switched power and ground wires are... Dangerous too (i tend to wire in a buncha crap to my cars all the time..)

 

Awesome, I was waiting years to see this post! Now....doesn't Toyota sell a wire with connectors so you could side step a lot of the wire steps and have a little easier idiot proff connection?

 

oh sure.. there is a plug that goes in there with two wires coming out. I wanted to show how to do it without the plug just in case (if youre like me) and you dont have everything..

 

I assumed as much Jeff.....many, many thanks! Looking for one now....