How to tell if My car is prewired with this option - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

AznVR4 · 03-14-2005, 09:43 AM

How do i tell if my car has the automatic dimming mirror wires Prewired in the car without taking out the headliner? Is there a way to look at the fuse box to see if there is a wire that is linked to it?

t^3 · 03-14-2005, 11:51 AM

Unless your car originally came with an auto dimming mirror, most likely, it doesn't have the wires for it, at least for the Gen 5 Camry's.

AznVR4 · 03-14-2005, 11:37 PM

I know this is different class but my friend's 96 Lexus was prewired. so i thought mine would be as well

CamNub · 03-14-2005, 11:43 PM

It could actually be prewired.

I think sometimes they just prewire all of them because it saves time.

98CamryLE · 03-15-2005, 01:01 AM

I don't believe they are. XLE's have them as standard equipment, but if you want the option on Standards, LEs and SEs, the dealer (or whoever installs it) just runs the wire down the driver's A pillar, and splices into the ignition wiring under the steering wheel. You might be able to tap into moonroof power if equiped with that as well.

I don't think they would prewire them, as they are only standard equipment on XLEs...which only represent 10-20% of total camry sales.... that would cost a fortune in wasted wiring. The mirror that I installed was the same one they put into Camrys at the dealerships, and it came with a wiring kit.

AznVR4 · 03-15-2005, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98CamryLE

I don't believe they are. XLE's have them as standard equipment, but if you want the option on Standards, LEs and SEs, the dealer (or whoever installs it) just runs the wire down the driver's A pillar, and splices into the ignition wiring under the steering wheel. You might be able to tap into moonroof power if equiped with that as well.

I don't think they would prewire them, as they are only standard equipment on XLEs...which only represent 10-20% of total camry sales.... that would cost a fortune in wasted wiring. The mirror that I installed was the same one they put into Camrys at the dealerships, and it came with a wiring kit.

Yeah i got the same 1 that the dealerships installs in other camry's as well. I got mine used which came from a Salvage Camry, the only thing is there is 6 inch of wiring on the mirror which i would have to extend it when i install it. I dont have a moonroof on my camry, do you think i could tap it into the front dome lights. Did you install your's yourself?

lenjack · 03-15-2005, 07:57 PM

You need to tap into any wire that has power only when the ignition switch ison. If you tap into a wire that has power when the ignition is off, you'll run down the battery.

AznVR4 · 03-15-2005, 08:10 PM

well the wires for the cars are cheap and if they prewire it then they would save lots of time incase some one might want to install it later on in the years

98CamryLE · 03-15-2005, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AznVR4

Yeah i got the same 1 that the dealerships installs in other camry's as well. I got mine used which came from a Salvage Camry, the only thing is there is 6 inch of wiring on the mirror which i would have to extend it when i install it. I dont have a moonroof on my camry, do you think i could tap it into the front dome lights. Did you install your's yourself?

Yes, I did the installation myself on my 1998 w/o a moonroof. I followed the instructions and it took about an hour. you remove the old mirror, the sunvisors (to open the headliner), the driver side A pillar, and some trim pieces under the dash... and connect to the ignition wire...that way it only turns on when the ignition is on...as mentioned above (to prevent the batt from running down).

It is really easy, and I really like the compass and auto mirror.... plus I always get "man, that's sooo cool" comments when I have a friend in the car.

I don't know if you could tap into the overhead light- because that has power all the time (although there is an on/off/door switch...but the light itself can be turned on with the ignition turned off) so I don't recommend it. I suggested a sunroof (which you don't have) because it only receives power when the ignition is on, plus 30 sec after the key is removed.

AznVR4 · 03-15-2005, 10:29 PM

Man thats hot, how much u paid for yours with the compass? i paid $25 flat for mine with just the dimmer with the auto button and off button. i was going to pick up the compass and temp 1 but i figured i didnt need a Compass and i already have the Temp on my car so might aswell save a couple of hundred of bucks and get the standard 1

98CamryLE · 03-16-2005, 05:59 PM

I paid about 100 bucks for the one with an auto dimmer and compass on ebay. It was new and came with instructions and everything needed to install. It is one of my favorate upgrades that I have added- because I drive 20 miles freeway to school, and during rush hour I like to take side streets, and can get lost....now I know that as long as I'm going East, I'll eventually hit Milwaukee...or Lake Michigan...lol. And once you have that auto mirror, you really hate driving any car at night that doesn't have one.

AznVR4 · 03-16-2005, 10:01 PM

Lol, I got mine off ebay as well for $25 shipped, Yeah i wanted this upgrade cause i drive to school aswell on the highway and these New Yorkers like to turn on their high beams at night cause they see other cars with HID and it makes them feel that their lights are dimmer, but they are forgetting the fact that HID does not really hurt the eyes of other drivers (disregarding those AfterMarket HID) comparing to Highbeam it really bothers the eyes of the other drivers.