WIRING A POWER REAR VIEW MIRROR

[Firedawgy]

My 97 EB has your standard rearview mirror and I'd like to install a power rearview mirror. I have the overhead console that has light and temp and all that. How tough is the power mirror to install here? Would it be wired into the overhead console. If so will I have use of all the power mirrors accessories or would some be left out? I was surprised to see that I didn't have the power mirror, maybe it was removed sometime and the wires are hanging somewhere, were they standard on the 97 EB's? Thanks for your help with this.

 

[03ExplorerSPT]

I can't really help you on wiring the mirror but I do believe that the power mirror was standard on Eddie Bauer models. So, I guess it was removed sometime so maybe the wires are still there.

 

[X24]

Wait... Can someone please explain why you would need a power rearview mirror. I can understand why you would need power sideviews becaue you cant adjust them easy while sitting in the drivers seat, but a power rear view mirror??? Does this have something to do with the memory thing that saves different settings for different drivers?

 

[ajevenson]

So that it automatically dims when vehicles with bright light come up behind you.

 

[VOATMJ1]

I believe he is referring to the auto-dimming feature which dims the mirror when a vehicle behind you has bright lights on, which in my 2000 Sport, is also coupled with the auto-headlamp feature.

 

[X24]

Oh, LOL.... I thought you were talking about power to move it around. Thats just as bad as having a remote for your radio.

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

Oh man...I just did this mod a couple of months ago. It's awesome!! Autodimming/Autolamp mirror was an option for every model except Limited, which was standard, and XL, which was not available. Anyways...I don't know if the wiring colors changed but here it is...

First, remove the old mirror. In order to remove the old mirror, insert a flathead screwdriver at the bottom of the mirror and put up. The mirror will slide out. To install the new mirror, just slide it in.

Then, if you're going to the junkyard and get the mirror, be sure to get the mirror and the wiring harness. Get as much wires from the mirror as possible because you'll need it. You'll might need extra wires because I needed more wires so I could tap the wires onto the overhead console harness.

Next, in order to get to the wiring harness in the overhead console, you need to take the console down so you'll have access to the wires. If you have a sunroof, open it then pull the plastic molding right behind the console. After pulling that out, go to the front of the console and yank that thing down.

If you don't have sunroof, open the garage door opener compartment door and unscrew the two screws then go to the front of the console and yank it down.

Alrighty...and the fun stuff begins, I tapped the Power (Light Green/Yellow) and the Ignition (Red/Yellow) from the mirror to the Power wire (Gray/Yellow) in the overhead console. I haven't grounded anything yet so now, I had to tap the Ground (Black) wire from the overhead console to the Ground (Black) wire from the mirror and voila! You've got AUTODIMMING mirror.

You won't get Autolamp because you need a module to do it and I didn't do that so don't ask me how to install autolamp.

Good luck. This is a very simple mod and should take you about 30 minutes to do. It's well worth it. Again...good luck!!!

 

[Firedawgy]

Billy thanks for the great detail in how to swap the mirror in. I will wind up tapping into the overhead map/dome light, in the front since I have the sunroof and no full overhead console. Still funny how mine doesn't have it and it should. I'm going to do it this weekend. Thanks again

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

No problem. If you have any more questions, just ask. Good luck!

 

[Hoppy]

So, has anyone figured out the wiring for the Autolamp? I see there is a black/pink and a white/purple wire that is also in the harness along with the black (ground) Green/yellow (Constant 12v) and the red/yellow (ignition 12v)

I think that the white/pink controls the parking lights and headlights through relays, but what does the black/pink wire do?

Hoppy

 

[Stephen]

Originally posted by 98FordX24
Oh, LOL.... I thought you were talking about power to move it around. Thats just as bad as having a remote for your radio.

Some luxury cars do have power rearview mirrors in the sense you're talking about, it is handy with the memory system. Hell, the memory system on my car remembers the position of the steering wheel, the headrests, and the seatbelt pully height, why not the mirror?

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

Hoppy, read the other thread and I explained everything. Good luck!

 

[97Exploder]

ok, i am completly new to the SUV thing and I am upgrading the mirror to Power Rearview also. I have it and the wiring ready to go but i had the pink/black and purple/white wires left! what are they for?? and waht exactly is Autolamp? I know this is an old post but like i said i am new to this!!! thanx

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

Black/pink wire goes to the transmission range indicator. When you put the transmission in reverse, auto-dimming function will automatically canceled. I didn't do it because it's not worth wasting wires.

White/Purple stripe wire is for the autolamp function. You can run it down to the driver's side of the instrument panel. At the bottom of the instrument panel, there should be a huge loom of wires beside the emergency brake pedal. Look for the White/purple wire (the one with purple stripe) and tap it in there. The wire white/purple wire down there goes to the headlight, parking lights, and dimmer control relays so that's the perfect wire for it. Heh...and that's what the service manual says too.

Autolamp is a function that automatically controls your headlights. So when it's dark out, the mirror will send a signal to the lighting relays to turn them on. So basically, your headlights will turn on in dark places while turning them off in the daytime. There's also a delay function, which will keep the headlights on for a certain time (30sec - 3 min) before turning them off. I hope this helps and good luck!!

NOTE: correction. The Power wire (Light green/Yellow) should go to a constant source such as the cigarette lighter because if you wire that to the ignition wire, your autolamp will not have the delay function.

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

Welcome to the boards!!!!

Black/pink wire goes to the transmission range indicator. When you put the transmission in reverse, auto-dimming function will automatically canceled. I didn't do it because it's not worth wasting wires.

White/Purple stripe wire is for the autolamp function. You can run it down to the driver's side of the instrument panel. At the bottom of the instrument panel, there should be a huge loom of wires beside the emergency brake pedal. Look for the White/purple wire (the one with purple stripe) and tap it in there. The wire white/purple wire down there goes to the headlight, parking lights, and dimmer control relays so that's the perfect wire for it. Heh...and that's what the service manual says too.

Autolamp is a function that automatically controls your headlights. So when it's dark out, the mirror will send a signal to the lighting relays to turn them on. So basically, your headlights will turn on in dark places while turning them off in the daytime. There's also a delay function, which will keep the headlights on for a certain time (30sec - 3 min) before turning them off. I hope this helps and good luck!!

NOTE: correction. The Power wire (Light green/Yellow) should go to a constant source such as the cigarette lighter because if you wire that to the ignition wire, your autolamp will not have the delay function.

 

[97Exploder]

SAWEET!!!! appreciate the detail! thanks bro!