Toyota auto dimming rear view mirror install?

[Joe B]

Before I order is a auto dim Toyota PT374-02030 dim rear view mirror hard to install on a '05?

[PhantomS]

Originally Posted by Joe B

Before I order is a auto dim Toyota PT374-02030 dim rear view mirror hard to install on a '05?

Dunno, but I'd say save your $$$ .... flipping a lil lever is not all that hard - and works every time

[Cyorke]

Hte hardest part is going to be getting fused power to it. There may be a wire in the headliner you can tap into if not you will need to run it down one of the a-pillars to get to ignition on power only.

[Joe B]

The stock mirror has map lights so there's juice there to tap off of but electric is there all the time.Got to tap an ignition post.
The problem on the Toyota part dimming mirror is that there's a note that the mirror cannot be used if vehicle has side airbags.
We have side airbags.
I talked to a guy from Brands Sport Automotive(where I've bought Toyota parts in the past) and he says the plugs might be different because of the side airbags.
I thought the problem would be running the temperature wire down the side panels would interfere with the airbags going off properly.

Don't need a temp reading on the mirror because it's by the odometer.
The guy says the Toyota mirror is made by Gentex Corp.
The Toyota mirror says Gentex Corp right on it.
I wound up buying a Gentex Corp mirror without temp and compass,just dimming and map lights for $90 with free shipping.
No Toyota plugs just straight wiring.
The Toyota dimming mirror with compass and temp reading is $240.
So $90 is a great price as I don't need the compass or temp reading.


Here's the mirror that's $10 less than I paid!
Then again shipping was free on my order.
http://www.autodimmingmirrors.com/st...oduct=50-GENK2

I found some directions for the install and it seems the wires still have to be runs down the side pillar.



http://www.rearviewautomirrors.com/D...stallation.pdf

The "cannot be used if vehicle has side airbags" on a Toyota parts site
has me a bit worried a bit.

[Ukrainian102]

Don't see why you'd pay so much money just to save yourself the flip of a little lever.

[Joe B]

Originally Posted by Ukrainian102

Don't see why you'd pay so much money just to save yourself the flip of a little lever.

How true!
I'm into gadgets.
However I may pass after I see what's up with the install.

[karazy]

[QUOTE=Joe B]The problem on the Toyota part dimming mirror is that there's a note that the mirror cannot be used if vehicle has side airbags.
We have side airbags.[QUOTE]

I have both on my 03 LE.

[Joe B]

[QUOTE=karazy][QUOTE=Joe B]The problem on the Toyota part dimming mirror is that there's a note that the mirror cannot be used if vehicle has side airbags.
We have side airbags.

I have both on my 03 LE.

Toyota must have changed.
Here's a post I recieved from another Corolla site on side bags and the mirror option.

"I didn't see that you had side impact airbags. That is a problem. If you buy the leather package, you get the auto dimming mirror. However, if you purchase the leather package with either the moonroof, or the side airbags, you no longer get the self dimming mirror. This is because the roof wiring harness in cars with SAB or the moonroof is incompatible with the mirror. Thus you need to go somewhere else for the wiring. In cars like mine with a sunroof but no SAB, they run a wire underneath the interior winshield moulding to the fuse block. You can't do this on a car with SAB and so there is no way to get power to the mirror other than to splice off the dome light circuit, which would certainly blow the fuse. Unless that is, you have no moonroof, then you do have factory wiring to the mirror for maplamps (cars with monroofs don't have lamps on the mirror), and you should be able to tap into this wiring. This is the only way I see you being able to install this mirror"

[karazy]

Maybe, because I have a moonroof and leather seats as well.

[Old Dood]

I know you can't get the mirror if you ordered the Moonroof. Why? I have no idea...It is not like there isn't power up there. I like the auto-dimming mirror...but regular mirrors are better at night when you want to "see" who is behind you....like a Police Officer. It is harder to see what kind of car is behind you with an auto-dimming mirror.

[karazy]

Originally Posted by Old Dood

I like the auto-dimming mirror...but regular mirrors are better at night when you want to "see" who is behind you....like a Police Officer. It is harder to see what kind of car is behind you with an auto-dimming mirror.

You can turn the dimming off, with the touch of a button.

[caddymac]

My LE is the first car I've had in a long time that doesn't have autodim, and I really miss it.

I see there's a Gentex mirror with Homelink. Hmmmm...

[Xrolla]

Originally Posted by caddymac

My LE is the first car I've had in a long time that doesn't have autodim, and I really miss it.

I see there's a Gentex mirror with Homelink. Hmmmm...

I installed the Gentex mirror with homelink in my 04 almost 2yrs ago and love it. The range of the homelink is unbelievable. I ran the wires down the a-pillar and found ign switched wires under the dash.

[caddymac]

Xrolla, does that mirror have a compass?

[Old Dood]

Originally Posted by karazy

You can turn the dimming off, with the touch of a button.

Yes, I know that. It is not instant though. With a regular mirror you can set the mirror at an angle that will cut off the headlights and you can still see the outline of the car behind you.