Connecting Electrical add ons

[houndman]

I picked up a Day/Night rear view mirror, and wonder if there is
wiring in the 2.5i for it, which it didn't come on? Wasn't gona spend
2500 more for an Outback to get it.)) It is switched by the backup
light switch. I assume to turn it off for backing up. I filp my reg
mirror in the daytime if a car comes up with lights on, since my eyes
are very sensitive to bright lights. Don't know if the factory wireing
powers the mirror in the daytime like I would want, but not when the
engine is off. Guess the compass would need power. Might work like
LED's and wear out with use.

I decided to add an alarm I had that has a shock sensor, that I paid
50$ for, since Sube wanted 230 to add the sensor, and tell the
computer it exists. That will be easier to connect. They say to test
the sensitivity by banging your fist on the front bumper. I can
picture the air bags deploying.((

VF

 

[John]

I picked up a Day/Night rear view mirror, and wonder if there is
wiring in the 2.5i for it, which it didn't come on? Wasn't gona spend
2500 more for an Outback to get it.)) It is switched by the backup
light switch. I assume to turn it off for backing up. I filp my reg
mirror in the daytime if a car comes up with lights on, since my eyes
are very sensitive to bright lights.

I have a day/night auto mirror in my OBW and to be honest, if it weren't for
the compass and temp I'd prefer to have the manual mirror. If you're eyes
are sensitive to light, the auto mirror will drive you nuts when it changes
from day to night back to day when driving at night. There is a delay when
changing and if you think about it, the headlights have to hit the mirror
for it to change, so for a fraction of a second you have full-on daytme
mirror with headlights in your night-time driving view. Very annoying

 

[houndman]

I have a day/night auto mirror in my OBW and to be honest, if it weren't for
the compass and temp I'd prefer to have the manual mirror. If you're eyes
are sensitive to light, the auto mirror will drive you nuts when it changes
from day to night back to day when driving at night. There is a delay when
changing and if you think about it, the headlights have to hit the mirror
for it to change, so for a fraction of a second you have full-on daytme
mirror with headlights in your night-time driving view. Very annoying

Doesn't it take you longer to flip the mirror, or would you flip it
and leave it at night? I am always flipping depending whether there is
a car behind or not. It makes it easier on my eyes, and I like it off
when not needed

How sensitive is it to the lights, if there is a car behind but at a
distance, will it still darken? I have more problems with trucks or
cars with the driving lights on. I am often turning the mirror so I
can't see them reflected at all or turning on my interior lights, to
soften the brightness. Almost like they are on anyway. How dark does
it get? A frind with one and his windows tinter, says he can't see
anything at all.((

VF

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

I have a day/night auto mirror in my OBW and to be honest, if it weren't for
the compass and temp I'd prefer to have the manual mirror. If you're eyes
are sensitive to light, the auto mirror will drive you nuts when it changes
from day to night back to day when driving at night. There is a delay when
changing and if you think about it, the headlights have to hit the mirror
for it to change, so for a fraction of a second you have full-on daytme
mirror with headlights in your night-time driving view. Very annoying

The only time the auto-dimm seems weird is sitting int he garage in the
daytime with the garage door open. The differential front/rear fools the
mirror into full dim.

Other than that , its function is unnoticeably tranpsparent.

Also, I thought the shock sensor was tested by rolling down the driver's
window, engaging the sec. sys. and then banging on the steering wheel?
Supposedly there is a way the dealer can adjust the sensitivuty too.
I wonder how?

Carl

 

[D&SW]

Have you checked in your overhead console? There is 12V present in the
console, even if the connector isn't there, what else does the mirror need?

 

[houndman]

The only time the auto-dimm seems weird is sitting int he garage in the
daytime with the garage door open. The differential front/rear fools the
mirror into full dim.

Other than that , its function is unnoticeably tranpsparent.

Also, I thought the shock sensor was tested by rolling down the driver's
window, engaging the sec. sys. and then banging on the steering wheel?
Supposedly there is a way the dealer can adjust the sensitivuty too.
I wonder how?

Carl

my after market alarm has a screw to adjust the sensitivity.

VF

 

[houndman]

Have you checked in your overhead console? There is 12V present in the
console, even if the connector isn't there, what else does the mirror need?








- Show quoted text -

Overhead console? You mean the ones with map lights or something near
the mirror? The base model doesn't have that. Just the dome light over
the back of the frint seat. That has power.

The mirror is connected to the backup light switch. Imagine the
mirror lightens when backing up, to be able to see better. I'd think
if no lights are behind it would lighten, and if there were, they
would light up the area, unless the mirror darkens a lot.

VF

 

[houndman]

The only time the auto-dimm seems weird is sitting int he garage in the
daytime with the garage door open. The differential front/rear fools the
mirror into full dim.

Other than that , its function is unnoticeably tranpsparent.

Also, I thought the shock sensor was tested by rolling down the driver's
window, engaging the sec. sys. and then banging on the steering wheel?
Supposedly there is a way the dealer can adjust the sensitivuty too.
I wonder how?

Carl

what does the front sensor on the mirror do? Does it dim the mirror
according to how dark it is in front, like that affects how the eyes
would adjust? It might not be good for me, since my injury affected my
vision seeing in the dark.

What does it do when putting the car in reverse, since they are
connected to the backup light switch?

I was warned not to try to install the alarm, that I could do damage
to the electrical system, so get a pro to do it, after someone told me
how to do it. Just really want it for the shock sensor feature, so
should be able to just connect it to the battery, and not have any
risk.

VF

 

[Blair Baucom]

what does the front sensor on the mirror do? Does it dim the mirror
according to how dark it is in front, like that affects how the eyes
would adjust? It might not be good for me, since my injury affected my
vision seeing in the dark.

What does it do when putting the car in reverse, since they are
connected to the backup light switch?

I was warned not to try to install the alarm, that I could do damage
to the electrical system, so get a pro to do it, after someone told me
how to do it. Just really want it for the shock sensor feature, so
should be able to just connect it to the battery, and not have any
risk.

VF

"Connect the wiring as specified in the manufacturer's instructions. One
wire will connect to a ground, another is the power line and connects via
the fuse box to the ignition, and a third connects to the backup-lamp
circuit for the vehicle. The latter connection serves to automatically
disengage the auto-dimming feature when the vehicle is in reverse gear."

I got this by searching with Google for "auto dimming mirror wiring". Some
mirrors do not have this feature. I will have to try mine to see if reverse
has any effect.

I have the standard auto dimming mirror/compass on my 2005 Forester. I find
it works very well. The only thing better is the few cars which have auto
dimming door mirrors. The front sensor keeps it from dimming in the daytime.

I have the factory alarm, dropping a wiper blade will make it beep a
warning.

If you have a strong knowledge of automotive electrical systems, you should
be able to add the alarm. It is more challenging as the cars have more wires
each year.

Blair

 

[houndman]

"Connect the wiring as specified in the manufacturer's instructions. One
wire will connect to a ground, another is the power line and connects via
the fuse box to the ignition, and a third connects to the backup-lamp
circuit for the vehicle. The latter connection serves to automatically
disengage the auto-dimming feature when the vehicle is in reverse gear."

I got this by searching with Google for "auto dimming mirror wiring". Some
mirrors do not have this feature. I will have to try mine to see if reverse
has any effect.

I have the standard auto dimming mirror/compass on my 2005 Forester. I find
it works very well. The only thing better is the few cars which have auto
dimming door mirrors. The front sensor keeps it from dimming in the daytime.

I have the factory alarm, dropping a wiper blade will make it beep a
warning.

If you have a strong knowledge of automotive electrical systems, you should
be able to add the alarm. It is more challenging as the cars have more wires
each year.

Blair- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I'd say I have a fair knowledge of electrical systems, but the new
ones might tie my brain in knots.))

I have a factory shop manual for 06's, which I figured would be the
same as the 07's or close, and the wire colors on the mirror I picked
up are different, and think I need an adapter to mount it on an
Impreza.

It would be nice to have dimming outside mirrors, since I block the
glare with a hand, like I block my eyes when driving in the city. I'm
not as sensitive as I used to be, after an injury, when my eyes would
hurt for hrs after from too bright lights.


VF