Gentex Autodimming Rearview Mirrors

[yerrago]

I talked with Autoanything and was told the Gentex K31 autodimming mirror "should" work with the Nissan Versa. Seeing how the stock rearview mirror is connected, directly to the windshield with electrical connection going thru the glass, I sensed this isn't an easy job. I was told to go to a stereo shop and perhaps be billed 2 hours of labor.

Has anyone here been able to replace the stock with a Gentex K31 or similar autodimming rearview mirror that also has compass, temperature, and map lights? Were you successful and did you do it yourself. Is it really more complicated to install because it has the additonal features: compass, temperature, and map lights? What are the gotchas? Thanks.

[toby]

As I said previously, I'm ordering (actually already ordered) the Gentex autodimming mirror (without map lights), which I'm having professionally installed. Are you saying there's an existing electrical connection through the glass on the stock mirror? If so, that's weird, as the stock mirror has no function that would require an electrical connection. If it does have one though, I guess it'll be terminated by the install, but that shouldn't be a problem, given that again, it has no existing remote function, and thus terminating the connection (if it exists), would make no difference. Good luck to you with your mirror...

[yerrago]

There a nice array or web of copper-colored dots at the middle top of the windshield that ends where the rearview mirror is attached to the windshield. I wonder if that serves any purpose. Maybe they serve a purpose other than providing electrical connection. But I'm hoping they do provide some electrical connection, so that I could connect them to the Gentex mirror.

Since I haven't gotten my car yet, there's no way to check. Can you please check?

[toby]

I've looked at my car's "dots" closely, and to be honest, I've seen that same array of "dots" in other cars. I don't know what they're there for, but always assumed they were somehow related to sun deflection or the defrost. Either way, they wouldn't impact the installation of the Gentex K21 as the integrity of the glass wouldn't be compromised by installing a new rearview mirror , so it's no issue. What I do worry about is the removal of the stock mirror window attachment, which I understand must be replaced with the one included with the K21... I don't think that's as easy as it sounds, and could see me end up with glass damage, which would suck

[yerrago]

I don't think there's much to worry with your windshield cracking, as long as who's uninstalling the stock mirror has experience and isn't using your car as high lab. After all, why pay someone when you can wreck your car yourself, right?

I'll start looking at cars that have the Gentex mirrors built-in as stock, and see how electrical connections are wired in. Maybe those arrays of dots are in those windshields, and if these mirrors are connected directly to the windshield, then there is hope that you can wire the Gentex thru the windshield.

Here's a link http://www.mitocorp.com/flash/...s.htm that gives installation instructions. You have to call an 800 number to get usernam and password.
Modified by yerrago at 4:39 PM 8/27/2006

[skoobahead]

The dots you see are for sunlight deflection. They are not electrical in any nature. I have one of the Mito mirrors I installed in my Maxima. 8 years old-zero problems. You run the wiring up the A-pillar, under the front of the headliner and it comes out in the center above your newly installed mirror. You don't wire anything through the windshield.

Wire it through the windshield???!!!!!

[yerrago]

I get the idea now. Smart aleck emoticonic answer to a stupid question.

[toby]

While I don't see how anyone would think mirrors were wired THROUGH the windshield of any car, I don't think the question was stupid, because you just wanted to be sure, as I would before spending hard earned cash on mods. And not for nothing, but those "dots" do a crap job of blocking sunlight, which apparently is their primary purpose for being.

[yerrago]

How much work does installing the Gentex mirror on your Maxima? In terms of hours and the cost for doing that?

[skoobahead]

The mirror I purchased has temp,compass and map lights.Everything you need comes with the kit. You may want to buy some tie-wraps to make everything neat.

The temp sensor needs to be mounted near the front of the vehicle obviously away front any direct heat source. It's about the size of a AA battery with attached bracket that can be bolted on with an existing bolt. The wiring for the temp sensor is run through the firewall. It's pretty easy to find an existing rubber grommet to poke through.

Power for the mirror needs to be "switched power". In other words the mirror will only be powered when the ignition switch is in the "on" position. On my maxima there is a circuit for phone power. This is what I spliced into.Next pop off the plastic trim on the A pillar and run the wiring up the A pillar and then under and across the front of the headliner. I had to loosen up the sunvisor supports in order to have room to fish the harness under and across headliner.

Mount the mirror where you want it with supplied rearview mirror glue and then connect mirror to harness at center of headliner and tuck in the excess.

Your Golden and now can complain about the current temp

Time wise? Like everything else...if things go perfect-2 hours. If murphys law is present that day-8 hours

[yerrago]

Thanks Toby and Skoobahead. I know now it can be done- not by myself. And I'll be willing to pay 2 hours labor max to have it installed. The tricky part is to find a shop that can do it without destryoing my headliner or cause some shorts in my wiring. There are tons of shops out there where the only thing they do consistently well is swipe your credit card.

[toby]

About hanging wires, autoanything has a neat piece that hides excess wires, and advises buying it if the mirror is 3 inches or more from the top of the glass (which it is in the Versa).

[scottstachowiak]

Were you successful in installing your new mirror?

[toby]

Everything went well with the mirror, and it definitely adds an air of luxury to the car, as it were. Cost me $90 bucks to install, and about an hour. I've been asked to post pics of my car, particularly with regard to the sunroof, but have yet to get a digital camera, so I haven't managed to do that just yet. I'm working on it though, for those who care, so please be patient!

[yerrago]

Toby,

Which wire cover did you end up getting? Is it the 3" or the 6"?

Thanks.

Gerry

[yerrago]

Toby,

Which wire cover did you end up getting? Is it the 3" or the 6"?

And you got the K31 model. Which mounting kit is used for it as I checked with AutoAnything and he checked with Mito and Mito couldn't give him an answer. Jim with AutoAnything thinks it should be the same mounting kit used by Ford or GM. But he wants me to verify with the installer. Thought you may know better with your experience.

Thanks.

Gerry