Anyway to permanently disable mirror auto dimmer?

[GrantK]

I want to permanently disable the automatic rear view mirror dimmer feature so it only dims when I tell it to. It activates way to easily and when it dims, it makes anything behind me harder to see, manual control would be much better for me. I know I can manually turn off the rear view mirror auto dimmer but that resets every time the truck is started, I want it to default to off.

 

[mikebontoft]

Have you tried a hammer?

If you haven't already, check the manual or wait for someone else to chime in.

If it's anything like the Gentex mirrors, clipping a wire will disable it.

 

[R.A.]

No easy way to do it.

I wish there was a way to adjust the sensitivity of the mirror. With one vehicle behind me, the dimming is ok; but with two vehicles the mirror is dimmed too much to the point the mirror is too dark and visibility is limited.

Just got used to mine; when the inside mirror is too dark, I have to rely upon the outside mirrors; on the GM vehicles they also dim the driver's outside mirror which was more of a PITA.

I used to put a piece of electrical tape over the sensor but I missed the dimming features; just wish there was a way to adjust the sensitivity of the mirror and/or turn it on/off easier/faster.

 

[alc9020]

Just got used to mine; on the GM's they also dim the driver's outside mirror which was a PITA.

I wish mine dimmed the sides. In NYC every other vehicle has DIY HIDs and being cool is to blind everyone.

 

[Hellamatic]

Pull apart the wiring harness on the mirror and put a switch on the power wire.

 

[M.J]

I want to permanently disable the automatic rear view mirror dimmer feature so it only dims when I tell it to. It activates way to easily and when it dims, it makes anything behind me harder to see, manual control would be much better for me. I know I can manually turn off the rear view mirror auto dimmer but that resets every time the truck is started, I want it to default to off.

My 11' has a small on/off button that turns it off. I wish mine would dim much more as the idiots that drive around here have their hi beams on all the time.Mike

 

[westwind77]

It activates way to easily and when it dims, it makes anything behind me harder to see...

What do you want to see behind you at night better? Do you want to be blinded/distracted by the headlights more? The only reason (I can think of) having it 'off' would be if you lived in an area with a TON of ambient lighting so you could see your surroundings (people, buildings, parked cars, etc). Maybe you just want to see if the car behind you has a low-profile light bar

Personally I would not mind if the 4R dimmed it some more, my last auto dimming mirror was perfect.

 

[DannyLlama]

How about replacing it completely with a different mirror, you could do something like Phillyd2 - Mirror with front camera feed. I plan on doing this at some point. I'm not a huge fan of the dimming mirror either, I find myself turning it off at night quite often. I feel like it distorts my vision more than it helps.

Link to Camera Mirror mod:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/102292-them-me-mods-6.html Look at post 89

 

[Randyman...]

Personally I would not mind if the 4R dimmed it some more, my last auto dimming mirror was perfect.

Ditto - Mine doesn't dim quite enough IMO.

Curious - Do those that think their mirrors dim TOO MUCH have non-tinted (clear) rear windows? My windows are tinted - and I suspect this reduces the amount of "car behind me headlights" that gets into the sensor - therefore it might not fully "dim". Is there any way to calibrate or adjust it depending on rear-window tint %?

You'd think it would just work itself out (less headlights coming through the rear window tint = less need to dim the mirror) - but I need more dimming

 

[Jono.ful]

+1 for BFH method

 

[GrantK]

Looks like my best choice for now it to cover the sensor

 

[PoweredByScotch]

Easy, at least for Limited. Unplug the wire and hide it under the front of the headliner. I have super dark tint and the thing was driving me crazy.

 

[Randyman...]

Easy, at least for Limited. Unplug the wire and hide it under the front of the headliner. I have super dark tint and the thing was driving me crazy.

What's the effect of 5% Tint on the dimmer? Less dimming or too much dimming? My mirror doesn't seem to dim enough - but I only have factory tint (probably 20%-30% or so).

Thanks!

 

[PoweredByScotch]

What's the effect of 5% Tint on the dimmer? Less dimming or too much dimming? My mirror doesn't seem to dim enough - but I only have factory tint (probably 20%-30% or so).

Thanks!

It's just way to dark with the dimmer.

 

[Antman]

White plug S5 at the rearview mirror. You can cut the ground and switch it to accomplish what you want. It's the white wire with a black stripe, pin #2.

Only problem is with that ground cut the rearview camera in the mirror will not work (unless the switch is closed). Or- in addition to the switch, you could wire in a relay that overrides the switch and grounds the circuit when the truck is in reverse.