Auto-Dimming Mirror with Homelink Garage Door Opener Installed! DIY how-to tutorial

[Sticks]

Entry level Fords haven't come with auto-dimming mirrors for 20 years either. Some Lariat owners seem to forget that they own the highest trim package on an entry-level Ford.

The highest trim Escape has it.

But with trucks, Ford seems to think a mirror will make me want to spend 15-25k more on a high-trim Ranger or mid-trim F150. It's pretty silly.

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[Tbone289]

The highest trim Escape has it.

But with trucks, Ford seems to think a mirror will make me want to spend 15-25k more on a high-trim Ranger or mid-trim F150. It's pretty silly.

The Focus and Fiesta didn't, so they haven't been there for 20 years, as stated. The Escape didn't become an entry level Ford until 2020, and then was supplanted by the Maverick as entry level in 2022.

The lines have to be drawn somewhere. I don't think anyone expects massaging seats like Lincolns have in a top-trim Ranger either. The point is, expecting an option to be available in an entry level model just because you bought the top trim and you had that option in a more expensive model previously will likely leave you disappointed.

 

[Betsch-kb]

Thank you for this tip, I ordered a mirror for my Maverick, it arrived on time, the cable was already modified and it took longer to watch the YouTube than to install the mirror and hook up the cables. The Home Link only took seconds to program to my opener and the compass was spot on, no changes necessary. I only wish that Ford offered this as an option.

I love the info we get from this club site.

 

[whitsoneric48]

To start I want to give this man a shout out for providing this fantastic wiring harness and auto dimming mirror with garage door opener/compass for the Ford Maverick:

Link to the mirror kit on E-Bay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/126968047760

Link to the mirror kit on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/186955...d737:a941f37256bb87fe903353213f0dee77ada190db

His install video:



(Just to note, you no longer need to solder those connections shown in the video, the seller does that for you and all that you have to do is click the harness into the existing connections. I was thrilled with this!)

The tldr version of this: I absolutely love this auto dimming mirror and wire harness kit, it’s worth the $176 with taxes/shipping and it’s something that most people can install with minimal experience.

My biggest pet peeve was Ford omitting these features from the Maverick, especially after jacking up the price on it recently. Thankfully this kit here with the instructions provided allows for someone to add on the auto dimming mirror and built in garage doors openers that looks/functions as if it was installed at the factory.

Install was relatively easy, the only tools you need really are the plastic pry tools for removing interior trim panels, I got mine on Amazon for $10 (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L8GHB7O?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1). I only needed the pry tool for the black plastic trim piece mounted to the windshield, the overhead light panel/sunglass holder can be removed by opening the sunglasses holder compartment, hooking your hand on the inside and pulling down with a little force.

I would also recommend having a drill with a 1/4” bit, in the video the man used wire cutters to make a channel but I saw elsewhere someone running a drill bit on its side against the plastic and it makes a much cleaner cut that looks like it’s there by design, you won’t see it after everything is up but I am a bit of a stickler about things looking nice.

Just to note, that black panel on the windshield has some plastic cable that prevents it from falling, I couldn’t figure out how to remove it without damaging it so I left it on while I drilled that channel, then the panel fell off the wire, I couldn’t get the cable back into it’s mount so I left it off when I reattached the panel.

After connecting the wire harness and mirror everything powered up, my overhead lights continued to work and I didn’t get any electrical issues or alerts from the car. The mirror continues to stay on after locking the car for 15-20 minutes, then powers off when accessory power goes off. I don’t know if the Homelink garage door opener buttons are still powered after this point, as I know an always hot wire exist up there but I don’t know if the harness is setup to take advantage of that. I’m fine with the Homelink being completely powered down with the car off as I often park on the side of my garage.

After that, getting the Homelink/garage door openers programmed to my equipment took about 5 minutes. I used the wireless remotes to program them, as that took less effort compared to getting to my garage door openers learn buttons. I had to calibrate the compass manually, you have to set what zone you are in North America using the map in the instructions and then drive around in circles 3 times at below 5 MPH before the display goes from “C” for calibration to displaying which direction your facing. I had some issues here, I did it 6 times in one spot and it wouldn’t calibrate, I changed to a bigger parking lot and did it 3 times, then it worked. This parking lot had less trees overhead and was wider, I am unsure if this mirror tells your direction from GPS or has a magnetic sensor that picks up the Earth‘s magnetic field.

After that I tested the auto dimming with a flash light and the mirror dimmed. So now it’s fully setup, I am happy with the function and look of it, looking at it from inside and outside the windshield it looks like Ford put it there from the factory. Lastly, the seller gave you the option of a frameless auto dimming mirror with the Homelink buttons tucked under it, I didn’t like how it looked since it seemed like it had a gaudy silver finish and cost more money. However, the seller makes wiring harnesses with additional connectors for other accessories, I paid the extra $12 to get the female USB port in case I decide to ever get a camera or radar detector, I might never use it but it’s there under the plastic trim if I decide I need it, the female USB also glows red from the socket to show it’s powered.

Thats it, I am quite happy with how this turned out and added features back that I expected to be standard relatively cheaply and easily.

Do you happen to know who made the video? You may know anyway. I am looking to get the mirror with the USB C on the harness what does that look like? Do you happen to know how to contact the harnes person? Thanks for any help you can give me?

 

[chrisofpa]

Thank you for this tip, I ordered a mirror for my Maverick, it arrived on time, the cable was already modified and it took longer to watch the YouTube than to install the mirror and hook up the cables. The Home Link only took seconds to program to my opener and the compass was spot on, no changes necessary. I only wish that Ford offered this as an option.

I love the info we get from this club site.

Glad I could help buddy!

 

[chrisofpa]

Do you happen to know who made the video? You may know anyway. I am looking to get the mirror with the USB C on the harness what does that look like? Do you happen to know how to contact the harnes person? Thanks for any help you can give me?

Yeah, you can reach out to him on his E-Bay account, he responds to messages.

 

[whitsoneric48]

I got my mirror today and installed as well. Love it! I had auto dimming mirrors in most of my other cars I have owned, but in those cases I had bought them from the dealership and had them install them. I will say the plug and play harness is great it took far longer to get the panels off then it did to install the the mirror and get it up and running. If you are looking to get auto dimming mirror I do recommend this.

 

[chrisofpa]

I got my mirror today and installed as well. Love it! I had auto dimming mirrors in most of my other cars I have owned, but in those cases I had bought them from the dealership and had them install them. I will say the plug and play harness is great it took far longer to get the panels off then it did to install the the mirror and get it up and running. If you are looking to get auto dimming mirror I do recommend this.

Welcome to the club bud!

 

[HotRod Junkie]

Welcome to the club bud!

Thanks for the link and this thread

Bought the Gentex auto dim and love it!!

 

[ZhuHan]

The highest trim Escape has it.

But with trucks, Ford seems to think a mirror will make me want to spend 15-25k more on a high-trim Ranger or mid-trim F150. It's pretty silly.

My 2019 Ranger Lariat had a dimming rear-view mirror, but the 3 homelink buttons were on the drivers side visor.

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