Gentex autodimming mirror installation
 

I wanted a auto dimming mirror but I didnt like the ones from the Explorers. So I found one in a 02 Grand Cherokee and brought it home:

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o...031101906a.jpg

There are 5 wires on this one. The wiring diagram is here:
http://www.wjjeeps.com/day_night_1.jpg

There are only 2 wires we are concerned with:
Black w/ Light Green Stripe = 12v Switched
Black = Ground

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o...1031101926.jpg



The other wire you can hook up is the Black with Violet Stripe if you want. That can go to your back up lights. It wont auto dim when you put it in reverse.

The other 2 wires Black w/ White(Auto Dim +) and Black w/Yellow(Auto Dim -) go for the auto dimming side mirrors on the Grand Cherokee.

Test it out on your bench. I used a battery charger on 10 amps with a 10 amp fused wire coming off the positive clip. Black w/ Green to Pos, Black to Neg. Turn the mirror on by pressing Auto. You should have a green light. Shine a flashlight into the mirror. You should see the mirror dim a little, just enough to take off the glare. I tested it with the lights in the garage on and off. If it tests good, time for the install!

Pull off your mirror. Mine just lifted off, which scared the crap out of me because I wasnt expecting that. Unclip the harness from the new mirror and proceed to wire it in.

Since I have the OHC installed I just tied into the grey/yellow wire(12v switched) and black(ground) on the OHC harness with tap connectors. These are the wires on my truck, yours might be different, so please wire accordingly.

Turn on your ignition and push the auto button. You should have a green light. Do the flashlight test again. You should have the same results as you did when you tested it on your bench.

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o...1031101954.jpg

Now I realized with the OHC the arm on the mirror is shorter that the original one, so it looks a little crowded. It works for me for now, but this might be a point of concern for the OHC folks. Later on I will move the mounting button down enough to let it clear.

Nicely done!

Looks good, I had one with a compass, temperature, and Homelink too.

I have the ones with the LCD screens built in on both of my trucks. This way when I go in reverse I have the back up camera wired to the screen and what's behind me appears in the little screen so I can see even better.

Thanks!
The one with a small lcd screen would be cool too. If I didnt have the OHC i think I wouldve got the one with the compass and temp. I found more of those at the jy than just the regular auto dim. I moved the mirror mount about 1/2 or so lower and looks a lot better.

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o...104101605a.jpg

This must sound really stupid. But I've never really paid attention to my moms auto dimming mirror.

Does it make a big difference? I have 20% tint over stock tint and I don't really know if it will make a huge difference. Since the light is reduced coming in, will the mirror still notice and dim?

I have autodimming LCD display mirrors in both of my trucks. One has no tint, the other has dark tint. On a dark tint truck it doesn't make a difference. On a truck with no tints it is totally a necessity to have a dimming mirror.

Not sure on that much tint if it would make a difference or not but on stock tint I love mine. Just wish I could get auto-dimming side mirrors o

So I really won't notice a change? Oh well. Good job on the install

On my truck the windows are tinted but during good weather I'll open the slider and at night the glare is bad. If the slider is closed I dont need it, but I can tell it is working.

nice install!