HomeLink Mirror

I decided to try out one of these auto dimming mirrors with HomeLink . I also decided not to go with the one with temp and compas since I don't want to run a wire to the front of the car. To install you have to remove your stock porsche mirror from the windshield and adheire the optional camlock to the windshield. The new mirror slides onto the camlock. Does anyone know an easy way to pick up power from the overhead console? Or even how to remove the overhead console without breaking anything.

I hooked into power in the overhead light there. I used 2 vampire clips. It is switched power (goes off when you lock the doors or the car goes to sleep).

Where did you get the homelink mirror? Thanks,

Did you check to make sure the mirror would actually fit onto the Porsche mirror mount? I had looked into something like this a few years ago before I got my car and the manufacturer said it would not fit my mirror mount.

I too, would like to buy one of these mirror's. Can you provide the info? Thanks Chris

Here is the link to where I ordered my mirror from: http://www.sportsimportsltd.com/aumiwiho.html You have to remove your stock mount from the windshield and attach a new mount that you order with the new mirror. They call the mount a camlock. I have a glass shop beside my office so I'm going to get them to attach the new mount as they would if they had replaced the windshield. BTW I have not recived the product yet. When I do I will comment on the buying experience from this particular etailer.

Sam, would be very interested in seeing your install, will invite you to our next fun run ( usually 15 cars ), cheers.

Carbon, Sure I'd love to show off my HomeLink mirror

That's is really great. Something I will probably get. Can you post how you got power to it as well? Thanks for sharing!!!

I have not done it yet. Tim Wasmer suggested I could pickup switched power from the dome light in the upper console.

Thanks Sam. We'll keep our eyes out for the follow-up post when you have installed it.

Sam: I will see if I can snap you a picture today of where I tapped in.

Have you all consider the homelink transmitter from the MITO corp. It comes in 4 different colors and can be install on the visor. They can refer you to a local shop to do the installation. The unit cost about $170 and $50 to have it install.

Where do you get the Visor one?

Tim, Not sure where v1 got his but here is a link I checked out http://www.aaaremotes.com/geaurevimiwi.html

Here is the link. http://mitocorp.com/homelink_visor.htm

vuong1, You can buy a used visor or overhead console with Homelink on ebay and easily pull the Homelink out of it (I got a visor for $30 that came off of a Ford Explorer). I don't think it would fit in our tiny visors. I just stuck it to the manual holder under the steering column and tapped into the heated seats fuse (position A6) for switched power so it only operates with the key in the ignition. I used a screw under the dash to ground it. Not nearly as slick as the mirror or visor install, but a lot cheaper. I have to get fairly close to our remote gate that uses a Linear Multicode remote, but it works from the edge of the driveway for the garage doors.

I used a stock porsche switch and put it in one of the dummy holes on the horseshoe I used a universal transmitter and soldered the wires to it and put spades on the other end. Easy as pie and I just push the switch- no fuss no muss

Any chance the auto dimming 997 mirror would work in the 996, assuming you can get the power?

there is an auto dimming mirror for the 996 check on carnewal-

but no homelink....

Bad news, I may abort the HomeLink mirror project. I'm very reluctant to try and remove the stock Porsche "Button" that the stock mirror attaches to. One glass shop told me it cannot be done, not sure I belive that.

Most of my experience with upgrading to self dimming mirrors is with BMW's. In the cars that didn't have a BMW mirror solution, the Mito mirror was attractive but the windshield buttons were different. Several people tried removing the buttons from their BMW windshields but were unsuccessful without ruining the glass. I haven't seen the attachment method on my 996 because it came with self-dimming, and rain sensor. If the Porsche attaches like the BMW by using a twist type of adaptor, check out this web site. http://www.z3mirrors.com/ This guy designed an adaptor that many Z3 owners have purchased to adapt different mirrors to BMW's. Hope this helps. Dwayne

Well finally got this project finished. I took an extreem approach to getting the mirror mounted and it turned out extreemly well. I decided to modify the HomeLink mirror to accept the stock Porsche mirror mount.

pics?

Pics

Great job Samminnella, your a few steps ahead of me. Both of my mirrors are apart. If you have installed it already, at what points did you pick up the power? Did you use both the switched and uswitched power source as outlined in the instructions? Thanks for the pics and info. This is my weekend project. Also how do you remove the overhead counsole without breaking anything?

Hey Big6Dad, I spliced into the domelight power lead. black/red switched brown ground This switched power works a little differently than I expected. Power turns on when car is unlocked or door is opened. Power turns off when doors are locked or after about 15 min if you leave doors unlocked. I hooked both the yellow and red to the switched domelight wire (black/red) and black to the domelight ground wire.(Solid brown) I didn't bother with the green wires which hook to reverse lights since I did not want to run the wire and I never use a mirror when reversing anyways. I've been using the mirror for the close to a week and have found no problem with not using constant power. The constant(red) powers the homelink and switched(yellow)powers the auto-dim. You don't really have to remove the overhead console to hook up to the dome light but it would be easier. I would try without but here is how it comes out. 1 Remove domelight you can do this with yor fingers. Front of domelight comes out first. 2. Popout 2 plastic eyes with micro flathead scredriver. There is a philips screw behind each of them. 3.The rear of the upper console is just clipped in you can pop it off with your fingers. 3.You can unhook both harnesses to get console out of the way.

Hey, don't know if yer interested but check out Kirby's 996 site on rennlist . He walks you through (with pictures) on how to install the home link (garage door openers) in the switch locations by the ash tray. Really nice install and simple too!

Double...thanks, I already looked into it and the only problem is that I can't find a gloss switch. Seems that everywhere I call only stocks the matte version (my switches are all gloss and it would clash). So right now I do it the old fashioned way.......clicker clips onto the passenger side visor.

Don't mean to be redundant (I posted this on another topic), but I just used a targa switch and sprayed clear on it. In the photo the colors don't match but in real life the match is excellent. Tom

Sam, I finished this project this weekend and it works great. Thanks for your help Dave

My pleasure Dave. Did you modify your mirror same as I did? If so what did you repaint it with?

I contacted Homelink about the purchase and installation of a visor-located homelink system. This is the response that I received: "Thank you for visiting the HomeLink website and for your inquiry. At this time, HomeLink is not sold as an aftermarket product and is sold directly to automotive manufacturers as a factory installed feature. You may want to contact your local dealer and see if they can be of assistance. We also have a "mid market" company by the name of MITO that your dealer can contact about purchasing a HomeLink equipped mirror for installation in some selective vehicles that do not have HomeLink factory installed. MITO's number is [phone removed], if you as a customers calls in, they will refer you to authorized distributors in your area. Since we do not sell HomeLink aftermarket we do not deal with any type of installation issues or have access to schematics. If you would like a HomeLink information packet, please call our customer service center at [phone removed] M-F 5am-7pm, Sat. 6am-5pm & Sun. 7am-5pm MST or respond with a mailing address and I will be happy to forward one to you. I apologize for any inconveniences. Please contact me again if you have additional comments or questions. Best Regards, Rick Tache. " Does anyone know a work around on getting the visor mounted unit? Is the mirror unit compatible with the rain sensing wiper system? I would really like to have the convenience of the homelink system. The lack of the system on my 996 is a weak link (pun intended).

Hi Sam, I think I modified the mirror the same as you did but I didn't need to paint it. I pryed both mirrors apart and removed the metal "ball" from the Homelink mirror. I then cut down the original mount to fit in the recces of the Homelink mirror. I also widened the base of the mount to accept the "cup" of the original mirror mount. Used "Plastic Weld" to glue the mount to the mirror. It was a tight fit but looked great when I was finished. Didn't need to paint anything. Your electrical hook up suggestion was great and it works well. Very happy with the way it turned out.... Dave

How did you remove the factory mirror from the windshield mount? I don't see an obvious way and I don't want to damage anything. Thanks.

The bracket twists off. I had to use a pipe wrench padded with lots of electrical tape to get it to turn. I'm going from memory but 45deg either way should loosen it. The piece that sticks to the glass is permenent, I think it is called the button. I heard of people breaking the glass trying to pull the mirror off.

Thanks. I found a thread on Renntech.org that also helped. Jerry

The auto-dim mirror and Home-link garage door opener project is one that I have done on my 996. For the auto-dim mirror project, I had upgraded my wife's Audi Allroad mirror to the one with the built-in compass. So I had an extra auto-dim mirror. Well, it turns out that the mirrors and the mounts used in Audi, VW, and Porsche are all exactly the same. A new mirror with a compass can be had for about $220, or scrounged from a junkyard for less than half that amount. The only thing that I needed to complete the mirror installation on the Porsche was the wiring harness from the mirror to the fuze box and to the reverse sensor line. This harness is readily available from your Porsche parts counter, P/N 996.612.984.00 - "mirror harness" and costs $10.00. The wiring harness connection instructions can be found in the TSB 6827 6-24-99 "Service installation of the automatic dimming interior rear view mirror XE3". Essentially the harness runs along the windshield header, down the drivers side A pillar and to the fuse panel and reverse sensor line. This TSB can be viewed at RennTech.org For the Homelink Garage door, I modified a standard Genie transmitter and hid it in the Drivers side A pillar, with the Targa sunscreen switch as the control. I put the control in the center console batwing next to the seat heater switches. The install instructions for this mod can be viewed HERE. These are two mods that are well worth the effort.

I think my P '99 996 has a auto diming mirror...also the side mirrors are auto dimming I believe....is this possible?? or are my eyes so damn bad that it looks like the mirrors are self dimming?? My driverside mirror has yellow glass in it....why is that??

Wow, haven't seen that pic in ages...best DIY Mod I've done so far I think?

I was able to get the standard mirror off without using a wrench. Got a good grip and twisted it to the right. Came right off. I decided to leave the original mount on the windshield and installed the Homelink mirror next to it. Works great and the mirror hides the original mount. Now I have Homelink and automatic dimming. Well worth the time it took to install.