Results 1 to 4 of 4

Thread: Gentex auto-dimming, HomeLink mirror install (Civic but applies to NA/NB Miata)

  1. #1
    Individual-1 ☚ ☻ ☛ Agent☣Orange's Avatar
    Location
    🍊SWFL🏝
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Posts
    21,588
    Thanks Given
    4,763
    Thanked 4,318 Times in 2,543 Posts

    Gentex auto-dimming, HomeLink mirror install (Civic but applies to NA/NB Miata)

    Nothing is worse than clipping an obnoxious garage-door remote control on the sun visor and in the case of the well equipped Honda Civic with remote start, it's inexplicable why HomeLink was omitted. NA and NB Miata owners have always been exempt for some reason as well.

    Thankfully, Gentex mirrors with HomeLink remote controls are readily available for super cheap. I used to think they were in the $250+ price range but turns out, they're about $45 with wiring harness included. Besides being able to open the garage via the mirror's HomeLink feature, the Gentex's auto-dimming feature is worth its weight in gold. How many times has anything taller than you, which is everything, stopped right behind you with its headlights searing into your skull?

    Nowadays, there's no excuse for not having one and after discovering my new car's lack of this basic necessity, I decided to remedy this problem. As I said, the Gentex can be had cheap on eBay and turns out, they're the preferred choice for many OEMs. In fact, the mirror I ordered is exactly the same as the one in my Mazda6 I'm sure I was charged a premium for. There are several models of Gentex mirrors and if you want one with the goofy compass, it'll cost more and you'll have to drive around in circles trying to calibrate it. Much easier to be a man and use your own primordial sense of direction anyway.

    So, if you're on the fence in terms of cost, let me reiterate that this is genuinely a cheap mod that yields dividends. Here is the basic $45 kit as ordered: mirror and wiring harness.



    The mirror mount is a generic "V" shape that conforms to most manufacturer's tapered windshield slugs. While the Civic uses a Torx tightening screw, NA and NB Miatas use a release clip on top but the actual mount is a typical V-shaped windshield slug, hence the aftermarket Gentex will fit just fine. I don't have experience with NC and ND Miatas so I can't offer advice although I suspect they're the same.


    Example of the Civic's and Miata's craptastik rear view mirror.



    Yeah, pretty generic. It'll work.



    Typical windshield slug.



    Also included is the wiring cover with little tabs that snug into the headliner. If the length is too much, just cut it down with a hack saw.



    Of course, the mirror needs to be powered in two ways and that requires running power and ground to it. Since the mirror requires a 10-pin harness (included in the kit when purchased that way), one source of power is the dome light but since the harness calls for both a +12v switched (and for some reason) a +12 constant source, a wired connection will be required from the fuse box.

    This is not a terribly difficult thing but will require accessing the A-pillar and running a wire through to the fuse box. Personally, I think the switched source could be eliminated so long as the mirror is getting constant power from the dome light but I figure the Gentex engineers have their reasons so I follow them. If you don't want to use a T-tap on the dome light wiring, just follow along and run the wiring through the A-pillar and down to the fuse box for both switched and constant power.


    For the NA/NB Miata, just remove the A pillar via removing the sun visor mount and start pulling plastic. The A-pillar trim will pop right off. You'll see a way to fish the wiring through. For the Civic and ND Miata, there is a side-curtain airbag present which is no obstacle as long as you run your wiring behind the airbag assembly. I can't stress this enough. Make sure to run your wires behind the airbag. It's both prudent and necessary.

    Here is a Civic A pillar. Notice the side-curtain airbag assembly (Whew! It's not Takata!):



    Now run the wiring behind it. It's just common sense really. If the wires are in front, the airbag can't protect you. If they're behind, they won't interfere during an accident. Use extra zip ties to run the mirror wiring past the airbag harness, not at its mounting point.



    Where applicable, always apply foam padding or other device to prevent wires from rattling. In this case, I just cut pieces of foam from a yoga mat and stuffed into any crevice I suspect wire rattling could happen.



    If you run the wiring harness down to the fuse box, make sure to have a couple of Add-A-Fuse type devices. In my case, I ran two: one for switched and one for constant power.



    Review: I've been driving around with my new Gentex setup for a couple weeks now and the garage door opener is indispensable! I love opening my garage door while I'm a block away. The auto dimming is super nice since I've had several opportunities to use it with maladjusted people behind me. The side view mirrors remain a little bright but the Gentex rear view works as advertised. Very comfortable.



    Well that's it! Any questions, just post.


    No todo que es oro brilla.

  2. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Agent☣Orange For This Useful Post:

    Demon I Am (04-19-2016),Martin (04-19-2016),Phatmiata (04-19-2016)

  3. #2
    2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here! ezmfne's Avatar
    Drives
    NA Miata
    Location
    America's High Five
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Posts
    112
    Thanks Given
    3
    Thanked 26 Times in 24 Posts
    What model number did you use?

    Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

  4. #3
    Admin / Pit Boss / Miataholic Phatmiata's Avatar
    Drives
    Kirin the '93LE Roadster #1073
    Location
    NEW Tampa > OLD Tampa
    Join Date
    Apr 1994
    Posts
    33,605
    Thanks Given
    13,678
    Thanked 9,518 Times in 4,641 Posts
    nice work!

  5. The Following User Says Thank You to Phatmiata For This Useful Post:

    Agent☣Orange (04-19-2016)

  6. #4
    Individual-1 ☚ ☻ ☛ Agent☣Orange's Avatar
    Location
    🍊SWFL🏝
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Posts
    21,588
    Thanks Given
    4,763
    Thanked 4,318 Times in 2,543 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by ezmfne View Post
    What model number did you use?

    Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
    Not sure but this is what I got: http://www.ebay.com/itm/262308687267...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

    I made an offer for $45 and he accepted. Remember, this comes with the wiring kit too.


    No todo que es oro brilla.

  7. The Following User Says Thank You to Agent☣Orange For This Useful Post:

    shlne (01-31-2018)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •