I know it's an abomination, so if you're squeamish about non-Porsche ergonomic mods, pls stop right here ...

I put a Gentex mirror in the shark and need to figure out how to wire it. It's an auto-dimming mirror with Homelink and has five wires. Hoping one of the exceptionally talented people here is familiar with these things ...

My assumption is the the five wires include:
[LIST][*]Ground[*]Switched power[*]Unswitched power[*]Some kind of connection to the headlights to activate the autodim [LIST]

So what would the fifth one be and what colors would identify the different wires? There are many variations of these things (some have compasses, temperature displays, etc.) but I would bet they all use some standard colors to represent which wire is for what.

Any thoughts?

 

I believe Alan did something similar on his GTS. Hope he sees this thread.

 

I have a Genex with Homelink and compass. The wiring hook up is as follows:
yellow +12 constant power <homelink power
red +12v switched by ignition <Auto Dim power
White Optional Reverse Lamp signal (???)
Black (with 1/4" round lug) -12v Ground
Black (open end - temperture mirrors) "2 open ended black wires may be provided for connection to the under-hood wiring harness that runs through the firewall to the temp. sensor if your mirror has a temp. display."

 

What Jim noted is common. I installed a Magna Donnelly - all are similar...

They need at least a ground & switched ignition/accessory supply for the autodim

They do not use a lighting input to know when to dim - they sense ambient light from in front and headlight glare from behind. The mirror dims when its darker in front than behind - if its dark but you have no lights behind you it will dim less giving you better visibility. The reverse inhibit is so it doesn't dim when you are reversing out of a garage into daylight for example.

Mirrors with temp display will have 2 remote temperature sensor wires, mirrors with map lights will have at least an extra switched ground and possibly an extra lighting +ve supply, mirrors with compass will have a compass plug in.

Mirrors with a homelink will need a non-switched supply.

I consider the stock Porsche mirror a horrible abomination POC - but thats just me.... I'm not afraid to upgrade the things Porsche should have done by the time the GTS was built - this is one of them...

Once you have it you will never go back... The Donnelly is also a much better basic mirror than stock... probably the Gentex too.

Alan

 

I would love to have a slightly larger mirror w/ auto dim and a temp/compass display! I had that in my Grand Prix GTP and LOVED IT!

 

pictures Dudes ... pics

 

I take the rearview mirror off the old very brown 1980 because with my long torso they block so much of the view ahead of me ! The last thing I would want is a bigger mirror ....now if I were better looking

 

OK

 

Jim - its bigger (wider), better looking (the mirror!), more functional and much more adjustable - it has the almost universal (except Porsche) dual pivot mechanism so you can raise/lower and offset the mirror as you wish.

Mine has auto dim, reverse inhibit, compass, external temperature & dual L/R no glare map lights (individually controllable and automatic on/off with the interior lights).

Alan

 

Very cool Alan ... does it mount onto the stock windshield slider or ...?

 

OR...

You need to remove the stock button & remount a new one...

A quick superheat (2 sec) with a mini propane torch and a twist with pliers works...

Alan

 

Are these mirrors slightly convex? I've got a racing mirror that I love that is convex, gives a much wider view to the rear but is slight enough that there isn't really any noticeable distortion. Otherwise looks like a great upgrade.

 

No quite flat - including the Gentex based on what I have seen - there are many different models though. I think manufacturing a curved auto-dim mirror would be problematic since both glass layers would have to match very well for the encapsulated liquid crystal to be uniform. Probably could be done but, rather more expensive.

Alan

 

FWIW, here are some old (actually, some downright ancient!) threads that contain at least one post that has something to do with mounting and/or wiring the "fancy" mirrors. Alan and I have been posting on this topic for... well, quite some time. (in oldest to newest order)

• Valentine 1 Install
• Mirror Update...and Wheels available
• Just bought a radar detector... mounting tips?
• rear view mirror that shakes

BTW, Alan, my mirror never went "lava lamp" on me. Still working perfectly after eight years!