Discuss Auto dim mirror install from an explorer - Page 6

somidscr21 · #76 10-08-2010, 04:34 PM

Good news and bad news...who wants to hear what first?

Nobody? Nobody?

Alright. Good news first. Figured it out! Fixed the wiring issue. Turns out there was a bad connection that looked good, but the multimeter said it wasn't.

Bad news is that the lights stay on all the time. Even without a key in the ignition at all. The only way not to drain my battery all the time is to unplug the battery. Obviously not a desirable solution. Any ideas why this would be happening?

Clinton · #77 10-08-2010, 04:38 PM

Check the relay wiring or the timer on the mirror

rwenzing · #78 10-08-2010, 04:43 PM

Do you have anything connected to the 87A pins? The 87A pin is nearest to the center and should have no wire going to it on either relay.

somidscr21 · #79 10-08-2010, 04:45 PM

if i turn the slider to off on the mirror it works, but isn't that kinda defeating the purpose, having to turn it on and off like that?

somidscr21 · #80 10-08-2010, 04:47 PM

no nothing on 87A on either relay.

Clinton · #81 10-08-2010, 04:51 PM

Just remember the slide is the timer for your lights in case it is just the timer keeping them on

rwenzing · #82 10-08-2010, 04:54 PM

Where exactly is the red/yellow mirror wire connected?

somidscr21 · #83 10-08-2010, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clinton

Just remember the slide is the timer for your lights in case it is just the timer keeping them on

Ya I realize that, but in order to shut off the lights and everything I need to turn the slider off. Basically the headlights are on and it yells at me when the drivers door is open, almost like the key is in accessory, however it even happens when no key is present. I think I understand how the slider works, and it should be a timer for the headlights (how long should it take on the lowest setting roughly?), but doesn't it have to have the key in in order for that to work?

To answer the other question. I hooked up the red/yellow into the GEM. I thought that was a good place for it? If not, I really don't mind hooking it up to the radio's power as I hardly ever run into the situation you described, and I'd rather have to turn it off manually once in a blue moon than every time I turn the truck on.

Clinton · #84 10-08-2010, 05:49 PM

Yeah your light reminder will stay on when the key is out, thats the primary function of the reminder so you dont kill the battery. Put it on the lowest setting turn the key off and close the door see if they work

rwenzing · #85 10-08-2010, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by somidscr21

To answer the other question. I hooked up the red/yellow into the GEM. I thought that was a good place for it?

That's fine as long as it is tapped into the red w/yellow stripe in pin 15 of the black connector to the GEM. This RD/YE is hot only when the key is in the ignition ON position or when the key is moved to the START position. Turn the key to OFF or ACC and the RD/YE is unpowered.

rwenzing · #86 10-09-2010, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by somidscr21

Basically the headlights are on and it yells at me when the drivers door is open, almost like the key is in accessory, however it even happens when no key is present. I think I understand how the slider works, and it should be a timer for the headlights (how long should it take on the lowest setting roughly?), but doesn't it have to have the key in in order for that to work?

If you wired the mirror according to the first post in this thread using step 2 below shown in green, your lights could be on whenever the mirror switch is on:

Quote:

WIRES COMING FROM MIRROR ITSELF:
1) White/pink wire (may look white/purple) This wire triggers the relay

- add more wire by crimping a butt connector, run it under the dash to pedals, when you get the wire to the pedals, add another butt connector, and splice two wires into the open end of the butt connector for the relays leave extra wire too and LABEL IT

2) Red/yellow wire (may look red/white) (12v constant,always hot

- Use a wire tap, and tap it into the grey/yellow wire coming from OHC. If you do not have an OHC you can simply tap this wire into the green/orange wire from your dome light using 1 T-tap)

3) There is a black/pink wire, Cut it and tape it off, you do not need it, its just a wire that auto dims the mirror when the truck is in reverse. I did not use this wire therefore I can not tell you where it goes because that function was unnecessary for me.

4) Solid black wire - (ground wire) Can be tapped into the ground of the OHC or add wire with a crimp on "O" ring connect and attach it to another ground found underneath the dash

somidscr21 · #87 10-09-2010, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clinton

Yeah your light reminder will stay on when the key is out, thats the primary function of the reminder so you dont kill the battery. Put it on the lowest setting turn the key off and close the door see if they work

Oh i see, then I guess I misunderstood. The thing is at night, the lights stay on so the only way to turn them off is with the switch on the mirror. Is that how it is supposed to be? The door reminder is fine I like that.

somidscr21 · #88 10-09-2010, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwenzing

If you wired the mirror according to the first post in this thread using step 2 below shown in green, your lights could be on whenever the mirror switch is on:

No I made sure to change that to the green/yellow going into the dome light. I sent the red/yellow to the GEM.

rwenzing · #89 10-09-2010, 12:53 PM

Ok, I have a 2003 Ranger like yours and and the autolamps mirror is wired like the diagram and it has worked fine for several years. So I can only think of two possible conclusions:

your mirror is defective; or
yours is not wired the same as mine.

somidscr21 · #90 10-10-2010, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwenzing

Ok, I have a 2003 Ranger like yours and and the autolamps mirror is wired like the diagram and it has worked fine for several years. So I can only think of two possible conclusions:

your mirror is defective; or
yours is not wired the same as mine.

That's all I can assume too. I need to get some time to really get out there and dig in instead of having 15 minutes here and there.