Installing a Homelink (Gentex) mirror in a 2016-19 Tacoma

OK, so another nice thing Toyota did in 2016 was DROP the pigtail out of the harness on some trucks to add an auto-dim mirror with Homelink garage door opener and compass. If your truck has the pigtail, it is easy to upgrade your mirror with a plug n play model. But if yours is like mine, the SR5, you can follow these instructions and have an upgraded mirror in about 1/2 an hour. I mostly wanted the compass feature, which is not an option in the settings on my truck.

I added one to my 2016, and it wasn't that difficult.....after hours of research. So let me help you out, save you some time, and tell/show you what I did.

I went to Pic N Pull and got a Gentex 313 Homelink auto dim mirror w/compass. $8.57 out the door. Make sure you take the pigtail also with at least 5" of wire(s). (Mine came from an 05 Nissan Murano). I recommend testing the mirror (with a fuse in) before you go to all the trouble of installing it.

DISCONNECT THE NEG. TERMINAL ON YOUR BATTERY!!!!

Remove your old "flip" mirror by loosening the 10Torx screw, and lift up towards the roof. Install the new 313 in the opposite way.

The wiring pig tail will have 3 wires coming out of it. (other models have more wires, so you'll have to research their placement). One Black w/white dashes (Grnd). One Black w/orange stripe (Compass). One Black w/yellow stripe (Homelink).

I wanted both my compass and my Homelink to only work when the ignition was on. (That way if someone got in my truck, they couldn't open the garage w/o the key). I will tell you how to wire it that way, or how to wire it so the Homelink is always hot.

You need about 3' of triple strand wire if you want to split out the Homelink and compass. If you want both compass and homelink connected to the ignition, you only need 3' of 2 wire.

Both ignition hot: On the pigtail, twist both the Black w/y and the Black w/o together and attach to your strip of wire. Attach the Black w/white dashes to the other strip of wire. Now gently tuck this wire strip up under the headliner (right at the windshield) all the way over to the left trim pillar. To make Homelink hot all the time, connect to the third wire separate from the compass.

Remove the left trim pillar by gently prying out the "airbag" cap. (Little oval thing near top). Remove the 10mm bolt under there. Gently start at the top and pop out the trim from its clips. Lift up and back to remove it. Be very careful not to disturb the airbag.

About 6" above the dash is a (probably grey) 25 pin connector. Pin 1 is ground. Pin 13 in hot with ignition (empty). Pin 14 in hot all the time (empty). Connect the ground wire from your mirror to Pin 1 of the male connector with a "pinch and spade" connector (See pic). Connect the other 2 wires to Pin 13 for ignition hot, OR connect the Black w/Orange to 13, and the Black w/Yellow to Pin 14 (for constant hot) on the back of the male connector. I just striped the ends of the wires and shoved them down into the rear of the pin holes. If you have terminal removal tools to use, all the better.





When you're SURE of all your connections, reconnect the neg. terminal on your battery and turn your key to accessory. The compass should light up. Test the auto dim by covering the front (WS)sensor and shining a bright light in the rear(Cab) sensor. If all works well, reinstall the trim panel in reverse order....AND away you go!

If you need help programming this mirror, send me a message.

 

Pretty sweet. I wouldnt be saying toyota is cheap for dropping something that very few people care about though. My garage door opener works just fine and i can bring it in the house at night or when im on vacation.

 

How much extra would it actually have cost Toyota to put the same wiring harness in ALL their trucks? The higher end models have the pigtail, the others do not. I mostly wanted the compass, which is not an option in my settings. The auto dim and Homelink were a bonus!

Someone sent me this link for plug and play mirrors for this truck.....but if you scroll down their page, there is this quote:

"if your truck has the plain mirror, a regular wiring harness will be needed as you'll need to wire in the mirror on those trucks as Toyota is no longer pre-wiring for them from the factory (wiring harness & wire cover are $35 including shipping). The mirror wiring is available in a connector in the A pillar so if you have to wire yours in, we can include some info on where to find the wiring so you shouldn't have to hunt around the bottom of the dash."

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...uttons-for-16-20-tacoma.550584/#post-17893729

 

That thread has a lot of good info, but I guess my question is what the specific difference is between Homelink v4 and v5. I would love the homelink integration into my mirror, but if a v4 works, I don't want to pay the extra.

 

The only difference is v5 will tell you if the garage is up or not with a little arrow. But, in order for that to work, the opener has to also support it. Most don’t seem to. Not worth the difference (I did v5 when I added homelink, doing it again I would do v4 and save a few bucks)

 

calebc is correct. For more detailed differences, visit this site:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...uttons-for-16-20-tacoma.550584/#post-17893729

 

For a different perspective on this, I had a Homelink mirror in my 2010 and 2012 Tacoma's. Basically the same trucks I have now as far as options. I now have a 2020 without it and I DO miss it. I mean, how freaking behind the times is a garage remote in this day and age? Seriously? And I park my truck in my garage every single night. And add in no automatic headlights. Same thing - behind the times. I love my truck, however.

 

Tacomas used to have all that stuff, plus the 4.0 engine. They've cut corners in really cheapy ways. I like my truck, but hate the way it shifts! I've even installed the SSP, and I don't feel it helps much. Best way for me is to just use Drive and the ECT button. Lots of threads here about this......

Follow my directions and install a Homelink mirror. You won't be disappointed!

 

I may install the mirror and I think a vendor here (Bob's Mirrors?) has a plug and play harness but if that doesn't work, I'll certainly use your method. That being said, I don't see "cheap" anywhere. I do think the mirror should be in there, but the overall quality of the interior is better and the noise level is greatly reduced compared to my other trucks. The truck feels much more refined. In a good way. I think the ride quality is better as well. The only issue I have with shifting is when using cruise in the hills but I put it in S6 and that problem is solved. Overall I'm very happy with the truck and engine / transmission.

 

OP, and those that would replicate a homelink install:
This connector R44 is to the overhead console, much closer than the sail panel connector IN1.


versus the full one

wires you used are on opposite sides...Beige (+) and White with Black stripe (-)

 

If you already have an auto-dim mirror, then you have the pigtail. If you just have a standard flip-for-dim mirror then you do not. Do you have wires running from the back of the mirror and up into the headliner? If yes: pigtail, if no: no pigtail. Try a wrecking yard, especially a self pull one for the mirror. The rest is easy garage usual stuff. Good luck!

Also, after much research, I was told by several sources to not use the pigtail in the overhead console. Apparently it is not fused. But I guess you could do that and add a fuse?

 

R44 is the connector to the overhead panel that powers the map lights, center light...swithes...

 

Good to know. Do you have a wiring diagram for R44 that you can post?

 

SR type:



Pin 16 (+) IGN
pin 12 (-) Ground