How to Hook Up & Install a Dakota Dimming Mirror
- 1). Unscrew the mirror mount with a small screwdriver. Insert the screwdriver blade into the opening located at the bottom of the mirror mount, and push it up into the mount until it pulls off the locking spring. Keep pushing the screwdriver up, and hold the mirror bracket with your other hand. Move the mirror bracket back and forth, until you can remove the mirror from the mount button -- the metal button glued to your windshield.
- 2). Pick up the dimming mirror by the bracket arm, and slide it over the metal mirror button. Push it and move it back and forth, until it slides on tight. Use a screwdriver to tighten the provided mounting screw to the bracket, to secure the mirror.
- 3). Remove the driver-side front step plate -- the cover located beneath the steering wheel, on the left side of the foot area of the driver -- by loosening the screws and pulling it off. Remove the driver's side pillar trim piece or the cover that runs along the left edge of the windshield, by loosening the screws and pulling it off.
- 4). Run the sensor end of the wires of the temperature harness through the driver's side of the engine well, behind the battery, along the driver's side, in front of the radiator and down behind the front bumper. Apply an even layer of waterproof grease onto the sensor connector's gray seal, then insert the temperature sensor into the sensor connector. Position the sensor between engine wall frame rails, and on the lower lip of the bumper, beneath the radiator of the vehicle. Hold the sensor on the top edge of the bumper, and clip it onto the bumper with the provided slide clip. Use plastic zip ties to hold the wires up -- away from moving engine parts.
- 5). Locate the rubber grommet in your dashboard that leads to the back engine wall. Cut a slit through the rubber grommet with a utility knife. Pass the temperature sensor harness wires through the grommet, and pull it through into the cab of the vehicle. Run a bead of silicone sealant around the wire and the rubber grommet.
- 6). Remove the driver's side sun visor by unscrewing it. Run the temperature harness wire up along the driver's side of the dashboard, up the driver's side pillar and along the top of the windshield, under where the sun visor was mounted. Connect the temperature harness wire to the auto dimming mirror.
- 7). Find the vehicle's ignition wire with a multimeter. Open the driver's side fuse panel, and test the wires leaving the fuses. Find a wire connected to the ignition switch that has a 12-volt positive charge when tested with the multimeter. Turn on your vehicle, your radio and other accessories, each time testing the wire to ensure that it has a constant 12-volt feed -- even with the accessories on. Wrap a piece of tape around the wire to keep track of it.
- 8). Disconnect the vehicle's battery. Attach the provided wire tap to the taped wire with a pair of pliers. Insert the male end spade terminal of the black power harness wire into the wire tap. Loosen the bolt located behind the parking brake release handle, remove the bolt, slip the grounding wire ring terminal over the bolt and then put the bolt back on.
- 9). Reconnect the vehicle's battery, and turn on the vehicle. Check the dimming mirror. If it is receiving power and the auto dimmer is enabled, a green LED will be on. Place a finger over the photocell on the back of mirror, and shine a flashlight at the mirror. The mirror should darken after a few seconds. Remove your finger and turn off the flashlight, and the mirror will brighten.
- 10
Replace the sun visor, driver's side pillar trim and step plate.
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