Is it possible to install the mirror and antenna (for looks only) on a CL?
If someone was brave enough could it be done. Is the mirror a direct swap? Theparts would be out of a 03' CL btw.

 

It can be done.

 

The mirror is easy to swap although you would need a new harness to make it functional as well as the complete onstar system.

As for the antenna, its mounted via a hole in the roof. Im not sure about you, but i dont wanna drill anything into my roof.

 

Care to elaborate Ken? How hard would:

1. Drilling a hole on roof and postioning the antenna in the exact OEM spot.
2. Taking out headliner.
3. Swapping out mirrors.

 

I'm doing this because I've always like the way it looked. The Onstar in those cars don't work anyway. They are dead. There would be no cable to hook up to it. Would the auto dim feature still work using that rear veiw mirror?

 

Are you doing this so your insurance agent can see the car and you can get a discount for having onstar?

 

The harness is different so no unless you cut the harnesses off and and splice the necessary wires.

 

1) Easy, just need to take measurements off of a car with one
2) Easy, better make sure you know what you're doing though. Be careful with your hands, use clean gloves to keep dirt off.
3) Mirror is easy too, just need to figure out the wiring.


You're doing this strictly for appearance? Sounds like a lot of work, you might as well ditch the Onstar 'look' and just install bluetooth using the Onstar mirror buttons and stock stereo setup.

 

OnStar doesn't even work on our vehicles anymore. Why bother? You couldn't subscribe to it if you wanted.

 

Thanks everyone for your input and answers. I don't recall anyone ever doing it as far as the antenna was concerned. BTW Ken, I did the navi conversion back in Nov. 07' with the A/C controls and voice prompts so this doesn't seem too difficult but a little scary about the roof part. As always the the prep work will be the key. We'll see, maybe sometime after the New Year.

 

Thanks but I did say it was for looks only. I've known it dosen't work anymore.

 

If you can do that, the Onstar look shouldnt be an issue at all.

 

mirror is super easy then, you wont have problems splicing the harness, should be only about 2-3 wires.

the roof antenna is what worries me. i dont want a chance of leaks or rust in that area.

 

You can just get stick on roof antenna fins if you're just doing it for looks.

http://cgi.ebay.com/BMW-Type-Shark-R...item588450e423

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MERCE...ht_1407wt_1167

 

If you're doing it just for looks, no need to cut a hole in your roof. Just get an antenna and the mirror should swap right on

 

Where do I get the DIY guide for the mirror install? There is some splicing involved right?

 

Only logical reason I can think of. Doesn't make mush sense in $, time, & energy.

 

Can any of the CL owners that have it provide the measurements for the 2 red lines. Up from the back glass and then from the side. I believe that the back glass has a line down the middle of it that I could actually use to line the antenna up with which will make that very easy to use as my guide. Can you confirm this. Also where is the DIY pinout to install the mirror? Thanks to whoever responds.

 

If no one can give you exact measurements, I can say that it appears to be about 1.5" off the glass, right in the middle of the roof.

 

x3 on the aftermarket stick on antennas if your just looking for the look. Your drilling a hole into the roof to put a nonfunctional antenna there, might as well just put a stick on type.

theres no DIY. just take the mirror off, looks for the colored wires and match them out and splice away. Its probably 2 wires, power and ground, which is black.

 

As far as the mirror, is it a direct swap (other than wiring) or do I have to buy the plastic mounting pieces?

 

Getting the old one out and putting the new one in are pretty easy here is my write-up for it:

https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-cl-2001-2003-50/rearview-mirror-replacement-diy-724233/

As for getting the wires to match up that will take a little trial and error. You'll have to get a wiring diagram for the new mirror with the onstar so you can figure out which are just power wires so you can get the dim feature to work right. GL!

 

Thanks Dave. I have the Helms manual and the colors look the same for power only. I might try it this weekend.

 

No prob. Good luck, it should be pretty strait forward. You figure out the antenna thing?

 

like i said before, should be only like 2 wires. one power and one ground and the ground is usually black. since you have the helms manual, then the swap could be done in a few minutes.

 

I think you guys are wrong about the mirror. The way the Onstar mirror attaches to the windshield looks to have different hardware than the normal CL Type-S mirror. The original metal mount bracket that's glued on the windshield is different?

 

Can anyone chime in that has actually swapped the mirrors on our CL's?

 

AFAIK the mirror isnt glued to the window. Its mounted to the roof. The plastic piece going up the window is just a cover for wiring.

I could be very wrong though

 

true but I think 5thgen is saying that the metal bracket (thats attached to the windshied) where the mirror is supposed to be attached to is different from the regular mirrors and the 03 mirrors. if they are then im not sure.

i havent heard many that have swapped mirrors on here. best thing i can think of is to try to compare the old mirror and new mirror's metal bracket attachment points on the mirror itself. If they are different then they should look different

 

Yes they do look different and also the OnStar mirror windshield mount looks to be farther down the glass than mine. I wish someone that has OS would post close up pics of what I'm talking about.