Today I installed an auto dimming rear view mirror that I got from a salvage 2007 Dodge Nitro.
Besides the mirror, I got some extra harness wire and three female wire ends that I harvested from old OEM harness plug. And I also needed an 11 oz Chocolate Yoohoo and a Diet Coke to counteract the carbs in the Yoohoo. :D
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I only had about 12 inches of the original rear view mirror harness, so I soldered in some extra wire for length. I prefer soldering these connections rather than using butt connectors or something like that. My solder work may not be pretty. But at least I know I have a connection and it won't likely pull apart later.
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All together, the harness I made up was right at 60 inches in length.
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For the three little female ends, I added some shrink tubing so they couldn't get together and cause a short once in the plug.
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I needed to the remove the A-pillar covers and the left sun visor. I also removed the dash panel to clean beneath it. When I put my tweeters in I was running late. So there wasn't time. I had more time today.
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Luckily, those crazy Dodge brothers thought to go ahead and put a slot in the headliner for the auto dimmer rear view mirror harness. This helped make installation neat and clean.
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There were also already clips for the harness running down the left A-pillar. I didn't have to use a bunch of the rare and hard-to-find factory Mopar zip ties. :p
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Here's how I fixed the wires into the existing plug. I didn't have the 18-pin mate for this plug, so I used the little female plug ends I talked about earlier. After installation I pulled them back tight and fixed them in place with a Mopar zip tie. Now they cannot come loose. The three wires are a positive that comes on with key (red w/green stripe), ground (black w/green stripe) and a tap off the reverse lights (white w/green stripe).
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I used a flashlight to test the auto dimming function. I covered the sensor on the back and then shined the flashlight at the mirror. And sure enough, it dimmed just like it should. :)
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And there we have it. It was cold and windy today and this made a nice little job where I could kind'a stay warm. Plus I've now got a cool auto dimming rear view mirror. Now I just need another Yoohoo. :rock:
![]()
Besides the mirror, I got some extra harness wire and three female wire ends that I harvested from old OEM harness plug. And I also needed an 11 oz Chocolate Yoohoo and a Diet Coke to counteract the carbs in the Yoohoo. :D
I only had about 12 inches of the original rear view mirror harness, so I soldered in some extra wire for length. I prefer soldering these connections rather than using butt connectors or something like that. My solder work may not be pretty. But at least I know I have a connection and it won't likely pull apart later.
All together, the harness I made up was right at 60 inches in length.
For the three little female ends, I added some shrink tubing so they couldn't get together and cause a short once in the plug.
I needed to the remove the A-pillar covers and the left sun visor. I also removed the dash panel to clean beneath it. When I put my tweeters in I was running late. So there wasn't time. I had more time today.
Luckily, those crazy Dodge brothers thought to go ahead and put a slot in the headliner for the auto dimmer rear view mirror harness. This helped make installation neat and clean.
There were also already clips for the harness running down the left A-pillar. I didn't have to use a bunch of the rare and hard-to-find factory Mopar zip ties. :p
Here's how I fixed the wires into the existing plug. I didn't have the 18-pin mate for this plug, so I used the little female plug ends I talked about earlier. After installation I pulled them back tight and fixed them in place with a Mopar zip tie. Now they cannot come loose. The three wires are a positive that comes on with key (red w/green stripe), ground (black w/green stripe) and a tap off the reverse lights (white w/green stripe).
I used a flashlight to test the auto dimming function. I covered the sensor on the back and then shined the flashlight at the mirror. And sure enough, it dimmed just like it should. :)
And there we have it. It was cold and windy today and this made a nice little job where I could kind'a stay warm. Plus I've now got a cool auto dimming rear view mirror. Now I just need another Yoohoo. :rock:
