Auto Dimming Mirror with Compass and Thermometer Installation

Things you need:
Auto dimming mirror, Sensor
Flat and phillips screwdriver
Mounting button
Windshield mount adhesive
Extra wires
tape
Cable ties

First get your existing mirror parallel to the roof. Mark wither ends to the sun visors so you can align your new mirror in place

Using a flat screwdriver pry the plastic cover in the reading lamps (closer to the windshield)

Remove the 4 phillips bolts and disconnect the wire plug and remove the unit.

Now, remove the mirror from the reading lamp unit by removing the phillips bolt. (two small cylindrical parts may fall, so be ready to hold it)

Remove the driver side sun visor

IMPORTANT: Remove the front grab handles (IMPORTANT) this is the toughest job in this process!!! USE a GOOD phillips screwdriver and with a strong push TURN the BOLT to the RIGHT little bit (I know... but do it) This will break lose the thread locking. Now SLOWLY turn the bolt left and right (all the time put enough pressure on the screwdriver so it won't strip the bolt). Do it slowly until you remove the bolt. Takes about 8 minutes per bolt!! Patience guys..

Remove the plastic cover on the roof by prying the locations ONLY shown in the pictures (so you won't break any tabs). Pull the cover from the rear door insert. Now you can lift the cover off

Pass 3 wires from the reading lamp opening to the left pillar post. One goes to the fuse (wiper 20 A. ) attach it to the right post as shown by the screw driver head. Other two wires should go to the front Head lamp area. Pass it through the rubber gourmet on the driver side firewall

Now, open the windshield mount adhesive. Clean the area where the button is going to attach. Leave for a minute. Follow the directions on the cover.

Allow the button to settle for 15 minutes. ( I left about 3 hours).

Connect the 3 wires to the mirror rear wire plug. The 4th wire is ground and you can ground it to the reading lamp bolt easily.

Slide the mirror over the button and by using a star bit, tight the bolt.

There are two plastic covers to attach the compass monitor to the mirror mount. Follow the images. (don't use too much force to press anything in just to be safe)

Pass the wire plug through the reading lamp unit and plug it to the mirror.

Put everything back in.

Remember to calibrate your compass according to the region you are in.
Hold the compass button for few seconds, You'll see Z and some number. If you hit the compass button you can change the number (which is the zone you live in). Once you get your zone wait for few seconds.... the mirror now shows CAL and it is time to make two full circles slowly in a parking lot (take spacial care when you are making a full cycle in a parking lot) I did it in the night.
See this link to find your zone (Figure 19)

http://allscion.com/images/rostra/Installation instructions for all mirrors.pdf

(ADDITIONALLY: I install a 2nd generation reading lamp so it will light up when I open the drivers door)

Continued....

More......

Mirror....

Very nice and thorough DIY write-up.

I never know how much I love my auto dimming mirror until I drive another auto at night that doesn't have it, no matter how many times I flip the mirror.

I found an auto dimming mirror with a rear view mirror in it off a Lexus Hybrid SUV for $125 last weekend. Now I just have to find its matching camera and then install the package to see if I can get it to work sans a backup sensor.

Sweet!

:bravo::bravo:Man that is one nice write up, can't wait to get back and install a unit on my truck! Well done Nissan!

Pretty nice mod man!

Just want to tell you that you didn't need to run that power cable the way you did. [Hold up, I revise my statement, see below]

All you needed to do was connect the + cable to positive side of your left map light bulb and the negative lead to ground side of right map light bulb.

That is how I power my radar detector. I've still never seen it repeated but trust me folks it works perfectly and is very safe.

And is very simple because you don't even need to crimp or solder, just strip the wire and clip in "with the bulb" as described above.

Whalllaaaa!

Did the adapter plug that goes into the back of the mirror come with it or did you have to order it separately? I've had an auto dimming only mirror from a tacoma for a while just haven't bothered to wire it up. Mainly cus I don't have that adapter.

Sub'd!

ARKRWLR said:

Did the adapter plug that goes into the back of the mirror come with it or did you have to order it separately? I've had an auto dimming only mirror from a tacoma for a while just haven't bothered to wire it up. Mainly cus I don't have that adapter.

Click to expand...

Yes, adapter plug comes with the mirror.

brianemc2_42 said:

Pretty nice mod man!

Just want to tell you that you didn't need to run that power cable the way you did.

All you needed to do was connect the + cable to positive side of your left map light bulb and the negative lead to ground side of right map light bulb.

That is how I power my radar detector. I've still never seen it repeated but trust me folks it works perfectly and is very safe.

And is very simple because you don't even need to crimp or solder, just strip the wire and clip in "with the bulb" as described above.

Whalllaaaa!

Click to expand...

Thanks for pointing that out. Yes I use the ground from the map lights but I didn't get the 12V from the map lights because it will be running all the time and may drain the battery.... may.... not sure how long you have to store your truck for it to drain the battery though.

If you notice I also installed a 2nd gen map lights. It turns on when I open the drivers door!

You bring up a good point about the map light and battery drain.

I used that power source for a radar detector which has its own manual on/off switch. I turn it on when I start the car up.

I'm not sure how many W that mirror uses but I doubt anyone wants it running 24x7 on their rig.

i have a 2002 limited with the outside temp feature, could i just tap that wire into the mirror one to display the temp on the mirror?

4x4runner2002, I have an '02 Sport with the factory exterior temp sensor harness with female plug on driver side down below headlight behind the grill but no temp sensor. So I ordered a factory temp sensor to plug in thinking I could just use that with the GM mirror. I don't think they're compatible as I quickly tied in the temp sensor mirror wires to the Toyota temp sensor harness wires (also reversed the wires) but no temp displayed, of course that's assuming I wired correctly. Anyone else disagree?

toyota temp is connected to the a/c controls of the limited 4runners, not compatible w/GM mirror temp compass You're saying you installed the mirror and the wiring all the way to the front grill area? Or did you try to tie into the temp of the dash a/c?

Sorry I should have been more clear, my sport edition does not have digital temp ac like limiteds do. Before installing the GM mirror, I powered it up directly from battery and tied the 2 mirror wires for temp sensor into 2 wires (stripped the insulation enough to tap in) in factory ambient temp sensor harness plug. I ordered the oem ambient temp sensor (since it didn't come from factory with one) and plugged it into that plug but no temp registered on the mirror.

Boiseflyfisher said:

Sorry I should have been more clear, my sport edition does not have digital temp ac like limiteds do. Before installing the GM mirror, I powered it up directly from battery and tied the 2 mirror wires for temp sensor into 2 wires (stripped the insulation enough to tap in) in factory ambient temp sensor harness plug. I ordered the oem ambient temp sensor (since it didn't come from factory with one) and plugged it into that plug but no temp registered on the mirror.

Click to expand...

You got to use the correct sensor that goes with the mirror. I also tried to use a mitsubishi temperature sensor with a GM mirror.....and no luck. You'll need the GM sensor to GM mirror.

installed the mirror today! and took a test drive in ~80F sunshine, so nissanh warned me, but it went in one ear and out the other.... when your outside temp says 140F on a day like today, you're temp sensor is too close to the A/C Condenser! :brick:

so keep the sensor away from that thing! works great! install was easy with some planning! thank you [MENTION=85046]nissanh[/MENTION]

Believe me, I too fixed it about an inch away from the AC condenser (lot of mounting spots around the AC condenser) and the reading was awfully off. Seems we all make simple mistakes!!

Did you calibrate the compass? You can find the link (PDF) at the beginning of the thread.

nissanh said:

Believe me, I too fixed it about an inch away from the AC condenser (lot of mounting spots around the AC condenser) and the reading was awfully off. Seems we all make simple mistakes!!

Did you calibrate the compass? You can find the link (PDF) at the beginning of the thread.

Click to expand...

Even better! Compass is accurate out of the box!