Retrofit Honda Civic Dimming Mirror w/ Homelink

[acurax]

If you get the Accord's auto-dimming mirror attachment, it plugs right into the fuse panel, has it's own ground, includes a fuse, and provides all of the necessary connections for the Accord Auto-Dimming HomeLink mirror. If you're looking at running a power wire that connects to another fuse, may as well go the route of the Accord Auto-Dimming HomeLink Mirror Attachment.


Auto Dimming Mirror Attachment kit (Mirror sold separately) - Honda (08V03-TVA-100)

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[TacoShop]

This seems like an inexpensive and worthwhile mod, but it sounds like there's a couple of different options. It seems like the Accord mirror is the best option, but multiple ways to install.

Option 1: no extra harness, solder yellow and red together, Homelink works but auto-dimming doesn't, and Homelink only has power when the car is on.
Option 2: get the extra harness, no soldering, Homelink and auto-dimming both work, but Homelink has power all the time

Did I get that correct? If so, any way to get auto-dimming to work and have Homelink only powered with key-on?

 

[AsianEd]

This seems like an inexpensive and worthwhile mod, but it sounds like there's a couple of different options. It seems like the Accord mirror is the best option, but multiple ways to install.

Option 1: no extra harness, solder yellow and red together, Homelink works but auto-dimming doesn't, and Homelink only has power when the car is on.
Option 2: get the extra harness, no soldering, Homelink and auto-dimming both work, but Homelink has power all the time

Did I get that correct? If so, any way to get auto-dimming to work and have Homelink only powered with key-on?

With option 1, auto dimming works. It really comes down to how you want to power the mirror. The wiring harness for the Civic/Integra only has a live power line for accessory power, which requires the car to be on for it to be active. Only one of the wires has a live connection (I can't remember if it's the red or yellow) to the car.

The reason you solder the wires together on the mirror is due to the way the Accord mirror is designed. The auto dimming on the Accord only works when the car is on and Homelink functions all the time. Since the Integra lacks one of those power leads coming from the car, tying the two wires together means both will receive power.

Option 2 has you swapping out the entire harness so that both the red and yellow wires have the correct power source from the car. Both red and yellow wires are connected car-side.

 

[TacoShop]

With option 1, auto dimming works. It really comes down to how you want to power the mirror. The wiring harness for the Civic/Integra only has a live power line for accessory power, which requires the car to be on for it to be active. Only one of the wires has a live connection (I can't remember if it's the red or yellow) to the car.

The reason you solder the wires together on the mirror is due to the way the Accord mirror is designed. The auto dimming on the Accord only works when the car is on and Homelink functions all the time. Since the Integra lacks one of those power leads coming from the car, tying the two wires together means both will receive power.

Option 2 has you swapping out the entire harness so that both the red and yellow wires have the correct power source from the car. Both red and yellow wires are connected car-side.

Thank you! That makes a lot of sense. It's surprising they will allow the home link to work any time. Thats the first time ive heard of a manufacturer doing it that way.

Not saying that acura can't do it differently, but generally in automotive yellow is 12v constant where red is 12v accessory. Id be curious to test if that is the case. When I do this, I'll test it. Ill probably go with just the mirror so I dont have to run the new harness.

 

[AsianEd]

Thank you! That makes a lot of sense. It's surprising they will allow the home link to work any time. Thats the first time ive heard of a manufacturer doing it that way.

Not saying that acura can't do it differently, but generally in automotive yellow is 12v constant where red is 12v accessory. Id be curious to test if that is the case. When I do this, I'll test it. Ill probably go with just the mirror so I dont have to run the new harness.

I also prefer having the Homelink power only running when accessory power is on rather than all the time. This could be a manufacturer by manufacturer decision, as my wife's 2015 Accord has homelink built in and active at all times. My 2017 Mazda MX-5 was only active when accessory power was on.

There are multiple ways to look at it, though. From a safety perspective, it's "better" if you can open the garage door before starting the car. On the other end, having it always active means someone can break into your car and open the garage door. Though that second case isn't any different from leaving a garage door remote in your car and visible...

 

[TacoShop]

I also prefer having the Homelink power only running when accessory power is on rather than all the time. This could be a manufacturer by manufacturer decision, as my wife's 2015 Accord has homelink built in and active at all times. My 2017 Mazda MX-5 was only active when accessory power was on.

There are multiple ways to look at it, though. From a safety perspective, it's "better" if you can open the garage door before starting the car. On the other end, having it always active means someone can break into your car and open the garage door. Though that second case isn't any different from leaving a garage door remote in your car and visible...

Agreed. I never understood why someone would leave their garage door opener in their car parked outside. Its wild that some manufacturers will leave it active, even with the key off, though. Im glad in this specific case, we have a choice.

 

[bandit81]

Agreed. I never understood why someone would leave their garage door opener in their car parked outside. Its wild that some manufacturers will leave it active, even with the key off, though. Im glad in this specific case, we have a choice.

I somewhat agree, but remember only a few years ago the only way you could have a garage door opener in you car was to have a remote control that was bigger than a pack of cigarettes that was designed to be clipped to the sun visor. Back then there was no one stopping someone from not only using the garage door opener by breaking into the car, but also straight out stealing your garage door opener. Crazy times! But I will shut up before someone reminds me we used to ride horses and park them without locks LOL.

 

[acurax]

I somewhat agree, but remember only a few years ago the only way you could have a garage door opener in you car was to have a remote control that was bigger than a pack of cigarettes that was designed to be clipped to the sun visor. Back then there was no one stopping someone from not only using the garage door opener by breaking into the car, but also straight out stealing your garage door opener. Crazy times! But I will shut up before someone reminds me we used to ride horses and park them without locks LOL.

Yes, it was the wild west of times! You could even go on vacation and leave your garage door open w/o anyone wondering into your house/garage to steal anything!

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