F.Rizzo

The last 5 vehicles I've owned have had the Auto Dim mirror installed in the - either by the factory or by myself as an aftermarket item. Once you get used to this feature it becomes increasingly difficult to live without it, so I knew from the get-go that I'd be installing one on the RDX. This is a super easy project and the only specialized tool you might need (if you have never worked on cars) is a Torx t20 screwdriver to snug the mirror down. I ordered mine from Hondacuraworld.com for $236, no tax, shipping included. It took about two weeks to get here, but I think the Holdiays had something to do with the delay.

Just about all manufacturers use the auto dim mirrors grom Gentex Co. They have over a hundred different models of mirrors and have even introduced a mirror with a TPMS display built in.
Here is alisting of some of the other mirrors: http://www.gentex.com/auto_plo_interior.html

Here's a pic of the Gentex mirror I installed on my Ford Ranger. It has: Auto Dim, Home Link, OSA Temp and compass all in one package.....(it was over $350). I kept it when I traded in the truck. Gonna try Ebay, because I did not need the homelink or temp display for the RDX.




.................................................. .................................................. ....

^Step one is to pop off the overhead console. It's held in with a clip (shown) and pulls straight down.




^Unplug the two harnesses from the OH Console, then remove the four 9mm screws that hold the trim piece in place. The white plug with the grey tape around it is the factory harness for the mirror. All you have to do is plug it in.




^Believe it or not - you actually use a rubber or plastic hammer and gently tap the old mirror up and off the base. It comes off pretty easy.




^The kit comes with a template that you cut out to help line up the wire chase that attaches to the windshield.




^Here is the template installed




^Here is the wire chase installed against the template. You can see how it lines up with the little notch in the sheet metal.




^The rest of the work is just to install the supplied cusion tape over all the sharp edges and cable tying the mirror harness. Then you install the mirror to the windshield mount and there is one Torx T20 screw that binds the mirror against the base. Reassemble everything - and you are done.




^Here I'm covering up the sensor to make the mirror dim.

.................................................. ..................

Finished:

DNPhotography

good job with the DIY pics.

Tripp11

+1

rdx4fun

Good post, so that whole upper panel is held with clips? Do you just pull it down and out? Looks good.

c_hunter

Thanks for the pics! Very timely for me to see. As I mentioned in another thread, Subaru uses the same mirror for their 07 models, and it costs about $135 street price -- quite a bit cheaper than the Acura version. Looks to include the same crap in the kit, and my only question is about the harness plug. But I think I am going to get one and try it out (I have some Subaru coupons and it won't cost me anything). Since there are only two wires going to the mirror (+12V and GND) I can easily bypass the harness plug if need be.

The original RDX mirror has a fairly large base where it mates to the windshield via friction fit. Am I correct that the new auto-dim mirror has a much smaller base (with the set screw)?

rdx4fun

135.00 let us know if it works. That would be great.

F.Rizzo

I think the base size is the same, or I cant tell the difference.

Also as you can see is this pic:



There are 3 of 7 wires in pins 1, 2, & 3. I believe them to be +12v, GND, and reverse trigger. Reverse is to "undim" the mirror when you put the car in reverse. It would be pretty easy to figure out with a meter. I think the problem is the plug - you might have to cut it off and splice the wires together if it is and Acura-specific plug.

Here's what I found on the12volt.com:

PIN 1 PINK POWER +12 volts

PIN 2 BK CHASSIS, GND

PIN 3 LT GRN BACKUP LIGHTS

PIN 4 GY TO AUTO DIM OUTSIDE MIRROR

PIN 5 PINK TO AUTO DIM OUTSIDE MIRROR

PIN 6 DR GRN/WT TEMP PROBE

PIN 7 BK/WT TEMP PROBE

http://www.the12volt.com/installbay/...560&PN=0&TPN=1

Fishbulb

Great write-up!

wmal13

maybe a stupid ??,but would a TSX mirror work,have a tech,dont really need a redundent
(duplicate) compass,