GENTEX auto-dim with compass and Homelink install! [PICS]

[AXMACD]

I purchased everything I needed for the install on eBay. The mirror I purchased was used, but it looks brand new, the model is 50-GENK45A. When shopping around for mirrors I came across this website: http://www.wembleysells.com/mirrorte...Comparison.htm, it shows the differences between the two series' of Gentex Homelink mirrors, make sure you get the good one (453 Series). I knew ahead of time that I needed to purchase the wiring harness so I ordered that at the same time. I purchased from: http://motors.shop.ebay.com/ddave57/...1&_from=&_ipg=. He offers a great kit, came with harness, wiring cover, t-tap connectors, zip-ties and instructions.

For the most part I followed the instructions posted in the modifications sticky, but there is an extra wire for the Homelink that isn't part of that install.

1) CONSOLE REMOVAL – I used my hands for this, slid my fingers between the headliner and the rear portion of the console (facing the windshield) and pulled down. Don’t be afraid to use some force, it’s just 2 clips holding it in. Then I released the wiring harness leading to it.

2) WIRING – the harness for the mirror consists of 3 wires:



I have a moonroof so my Highlander has the moonroof controller box mounted in the same location as the console. I also disconnected the harness leading to that.
I tapped into the LIGHT GREEN wire in pin #9 on the 22-pin connector with the RED wire. I then tapped the BLACK into the LIGHT GREEN/RED (or WHITE/BLACK) wire in pin #2 on the 22-pin connector (as per instructions).




(WIRE SIDE VIEW THEY TALK ABOUT IN THE INSTRUCTIONS)

I didn’t want power running to the Homelink when the car wasn’t running (safety precaution) so I found a wire running to the sunroof control that only works when the key is turned to the on position. This wire is the YELLOW wire on the sunroof controller harness, I tapped the YELLOW wire from the mirror harness into this YELLOW wire. (just think YELLOW on YELLOW).



3) PUTTING IT BACK TOGETHER





I plugged the harnesses back into their respective locations (including the one for the actual mirror) and turned the vehicle to accessory, green mirror light came on and so did the compass, Homelink didn’t operate. Turned the car to ON and the Homelink did operate. I snapped the console back into place and installed the wire cover and I was done in less than an hour!

Success.



The mirror I purchased was out of a Nissan Murano so the compass display is amber. If I do the mod in my Tacoma I’m going to put the mirror with the amber display in it and get one with a green display for the Highlander.

Feel free to PM me with any questions!

[bobert1634]

I like. Any idea which series this one belongs to ? Does the "A" guarantee the 453 series ? Checking the manual I have the claw type mounting.

Gentex Auto-Dimming Mirror with Compass and Outside Temperature

50-GENK21A

[jmuhammad]

Originally Posted by AXMACD

The mirror I purchased was out of a Nissan Murano so the compass display is amber. If I do the mod in my Tacoma I’m going to put the mirror with the amber display in it and get one with a green display for the Highlander.

Feel free to PM me with any questions!

Nice write up. I installed mine in 2009 but I didn't do a write up. Also, that amber looks pretty neat...stands out. I have a darker blue display; at first I did not like it but it grew on me and now I like it (my Honda has the ice blue display). It would be neat if the colors were programmable (could change them). Like a mood mirror

[grandpapa]

how much does this mod cost you?

[AXMACD]

http://shop.autodimmingmirrors.com/products-genk21a.asp

It has the characteristics of a 453 series mirror, so I'm thinking it is..

It would be sweet if the colors were interchangeable.. there's a seller on ebay who offers mirrors with different color displays.. I'm curious as to how he changes them..

AS for price, the mirror cost me $50, the harness cost me $30 and shipping for both of them was roughly $20, so about $100 for parts..

[Thunderchief]

I got the Gentex one with temp read out since the chuckleheads at Toyota failed to give me a temp read out on my model. The temp read out model is way more bucks but I really wanted to see the outside temp.
http://www.mitocorp.com/homelink-aut...g-mirrors.html

[gchu]

Originally Posted by AXMACD

AS for price, the mirror cost me $50, the harness cost me $30 and shipping for both of them was roughly $20, so about $100 for parts..

You got a good price on the mirror! What year murano did it come from? I've seen on on ebay for 03-07 but wasn't sure if it would fit....

[jmuhammad]

Originally Posted by gchu

You got a good price on the mirror! What year murano did it come from? I've seen on on ebay for 03-07 but wasn't sure if it would fit....

You could go to the junkyard and easily get one off the windshield...TONs of them today. Then go to any autoparts store and get a new mirror mount kit (a piece of metal and a tube of windshield glue). You just have to know how to calibrate the compass.

In 1997 when I worked for The General (GM) I went dumpster diving and got a perfectly working compass mirror (they usually broke the electronics before they tossed them). Fourteen years later it is still working (its in my retired Honda Accord).

[rcan1015]

I've been trying to locate a good deal on a Gentex homelink mirror with compass for my 2012 base Highlander. All the instructions I've located on various websites, say to remove the 'A' pillar and route all the wiring to the kick panel. Even Gentex says to do that rather than access the overhead console. Anybody know why?

Thanks

[sweeneyp]

Originally Posted by rcan1015

I've been trying to locate a good deal on a Gentex homelink mirror with compass for my 2012 base Highlander. All the instructions I've located on various websites, say to remove the 'A' pillar and route all the wiring to the kick panel. Even Gentex says to do that rather than access the overhead console. Anybody know why?

Thanks

I bet because most car's don't have a lot of electrical equipment up there you can tap. OP tapped the moon roof control power lines, a lot of cars only have map lights up there (which wouldn't be the best thing to tap). I would bet that is why it says wire it down the A-pillar, so you can get access to more substantial wires/equipment to tap.

[rcan1015]

That makes sense. I wonder if my base 2012 HL has the moonroof power lines in the overhead console?

Thanks

[AXMACD]

Originally Posted by rcan1015

That makes sense. I wonder if my base 2012 HL has the moonroof power lines in the overhead console?

Thanks

Best way to find out would be to pull your console down, slide your hands between the headliner and the part closest to the windshield and pull down, don't be afraid to use some force.. if you have a little white box then you have the sunroof controller. I'd avoid tapping into the map lights for the Homelink because they're always on so your Homelink would probably work when the car was turned off (security risk).. My HL has to be turned to the on position for the Homelink to work, the mirror turns on in acc position.

[rcan1015]

I appreciate the tip. I'll wait for a warmer day and pull the console.