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SE Gentex genk85a Rearview Mirror Installation

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Rbusta

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Who thought a 2021 model with no built in garage opener was acceptable? Decided to order the (expensive) Gentex genk85a rearview mirror and figure out the install. My SE has the Weather and Moonroof package. I was hoping that it would have the harness there, but no luck. I know there are a lot of posts about this already for the Gen5's but I was looking for straight forward wiring and couldn't find it particular to what is available in the SE. Hope this helps someone. Should also meet peoples needs if you are looking to install a 12V dashcam.

There is the Toyota mirror available but it doesn't auto dim and I didn't love the idea of it being battery operated (bud admittedly would be super simple to install. Genk85a has Auto-dimming, homelink, compass, and frameless. Requires 12VDC constant, 12VDC switched, Ground. Note that the neck is a little bit too short so I'll link the neck extender I ordered as well.

Amazon.com: Gentex Series 8 Frameless Auto-Dimming Mirror with Homelink and Compass 50-genk85a: Automotive

Buy Gentex Series 8 Frameless Auto-Dimming Mirror with Homelink and Compass 50-genk85a: Mirrors - Amazon.com âś“ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com

Follow other Gen5 instructions to install the physical mirror. Really is as simple as it looks. To remove the plastic housing around the stock mirror pull towards the hood for the big piece and towards the ground to remove the smaller piece. Simple T-25 to remove the mirror, unscrew it and slide towards the roof. Remove the overhead console. Strong pulling towards the floor required. A bit unnerving but really pretty stout. There are 4 push clips almost in the corners towards the front and back of the console you are trying to pop out - worked best for me to pop the "back" (towards the back of the car" ones out first.

Wiring
Once the console is removed you can see the connectors I used. I took 12V constant from the Sunroof (admit I did not check for 12V ACC there) from the larger all BLACK wire. The other larger gauge wire, white with black tracer is ground but I didn't want to tap where I didn't need to and used that bolt I point to in the picture for ground. Note that there are a couple unpainted bolts in that area towards the back of the car but they are not grounded so don't use those. I tested both of these painted ones and they are grounded. I did not have to scrape any paint to get a solid ground there.
159552



Here is the moonroof plug, unplugged to get a little better picture.
159551


I took Accessory (12V when the car is on) from the overhead console plug pictured below. The top corner wire is 12V ACC. There is also constant power and ground in this connector but the wires here are very small and I wanted to use the larger gauge wire 12V constant from the sunroof power if possible.
159553


So, in the end I didn't see an unused connector ready to plug and play with my Gentex mirror, but it powered right up and worked as I hoped. Hope that helps someone out!
 
#2 ·
I'm trying to install the same mirror in a RAV4 Prime SE, but have neither a moonroof or sunroof to grab power. They include a generous length of cabling to route elsewhere in the vehicle. Does anyone have any suggestions on where I can tap power?
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
noteaplease said:
I'm trying to install the same mirror in a RAV4 Prime SE, but have neither a moonroof or sunroof to grab power. They include a generous length of cabling to route elsewhere in the vehicle. Does anyone have any suggestions on where I can tap power?
Click to expand...
You can try a search for Dashcam installs as well - lots of folks seem to have run wires under the overhead cover and down the driverside pilar, added a tap a fuse for their 12v constant and/or accessory. What I would do is tap the overhead console as well. In the picture i attached above that says "overhead console connector" and I labeled where the accessory power is, you can also find 12v constant. I opted for 12V constant from my moonroof because it was a heavier gauge, but (from memory) the wire on the same top row as accessory power but on the complete opposite side (top right corner in the picture) is constant 12V power. I would encourage you to check with even a cheap multimeter if you have one, but you wont hurt anything other than a potentially (haha, electrical joke) not needed tap by trying.

Good luck!
 
#4 ·
Rbusta said:
You can try a search for Dashcam installs as well - lots of folks seem to have run wires under the overhead cover and down the driverside pilar, added a tap a fuse for their 12v constant and/or accessory. What I would do is tap the overhead console as well. In the picture i attached above that says "overhead console connector" and I labeled where the accessory power is, you can also find 12v constant. I opted for 12V constant from my moonroof because it was a heavier gauge, but (from memory) the wire on the same top row as accessory power but on the complete opposite side (top right corner in the picture) is constant 12V power. I would encourage you to check with even a cheap multimeter if you have one, but you wont hurt anything other than a potentially (haha, electrical joke) not needed tap by trying.

Good luck!
Click to expand...
This is my first time doing anything with the car wiring, so I'm navigating by braille here a little. Does the mirror need two different 12v supplies? One const to power it, and one acc to know when the engine is running?
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
noteaplease said:
This is my first time doing anything with the car wiring, so I'm navigating by braille here a little. Does the mirror need two different 12v supplies? One const to power it, and one acc to know when the engine is running?
Click to expand...
Yes. I believe it uses the constant to hold the homelink (garage) codes in memory and the acc to power the compass and dimming circuitry.
 
#6 ·
Hello, I'm trying to install the same mirror for my 2019 rav4 hybrid. I was able to tap in constant 12V power from the larger black wire (from the sunroof). I am struggling with the accessory wire from the overhead console. I was able to locate one and verified it with a multimeter. However, it is not powering up the mirror for the auto dimming and compass. I checked to make sure there weren't any issues with my mirror and I got the auto dimming and compass to light up when testing with the larger black wire from the sunroof. The accessory wire I'm trying to tap power is also smaller compare to the black wire I used for constant 12V. After connecting to the mirror, the voltage from the accessory wire is reading around 4.2V (it was reading around 10 - 12V before the wire was connected to the mirror). Is it not providing enough power for the auto dimming and compass features? Homelink appears to be working. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
Sorry you're having trouble with the install. I don’t have any great ideas the only thing I would try sounds like you’ve done it - double check the connections? I know I had a hard time with that smaller ACC wire since I was afraid of cutting it. Also maybe double check it is 12v when the car is powered on. Good luck
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
Homelink does work with the ignition off. I dont believe there is away around it while keeping the Homelink function as it is my understanding that the 12V constant supply keeps the Homelink codes in memory.

I used simple self stripping quick tap like this one linked. I'm pretty good at soldering but I didn't want to risk the hot soldering iron in the brand new car.

Denofel said:
For that mirror, does the homelink function work with the ignition off? (Asking as this is a safety concern with the car parked in the driveway)
How did you tap into these two wires?
Click to expand...
 
#10 ·
Rbusta said:
Homelink does work with the ignition off. I dont believe there is away around it while keeping the Homelink function as it is my understanding that the 12V constant supply keeps the Homelink codes in memory.

I used simple self stripping quick tap like this one linked. I'm pretty good at soldering but I didn't want to risk the hot soldering iron in the brand new car.
Click to expand...
Thanks!
I find it weird that it's done this way, with the opener working while the ignition is off. That makes it less attractive to me to go that route, maybe I just get the Subaru battery powered mirror.
My issue is that now, with the car parked in the driveway, if somebody breaks into the car, they'll have easy access into the garage, and consequently the house.
With both of our Subarus, the OEM homelink mirror is auto dimming, has the compass, and it won't function as garage door opener unless the ignition is on. That's how I would like it, ideally.

Thanks for your response and clarifying this for me!
 
#11 ·
Denofel said:
Thanks!
I find it weird that it's done this way, with the opener working while the ignition is off. That makes it less attractive to me to go that route, maybe I just get the Subaru battery powered mirror.
My issue is that now, with the car parked in the driveway, if somebody breaks into the car, they'll have easy access into the garage, and consequently the house.
With both of our Subarus, the OEM homelink mirror is auto dimming, has the compass, and it won't function as garage door opener unless the ignition is on. That's how I would like it, ideally.

Thanks for your response and clarifying this for me!
Click to expand...
But same goes for a remote hooked to the visor right?
 
#13 ·
Denofel said:
That's right.
That's why I was looking for a Homelink mirror that requires accessory power / the ignition to be on.
Click to expand...
is there one? I mean the can easily make it that way. Keep constant power to not lose the programming but also make the buttons inoperable unless there’s accessory power also. I never really paid attention to my old home links since I park in the garage.
 
#14 ·
RedElmo said:
is there one? I mean the can easily make it that way. Keep constant power to not lose the programming but also make the buttons inoperable unless there’s accessory power also. I never really paid attention to my old home links since I park in the garage.
Click to expand...
As I said, the OEM homelink mirror in both our Subarus works that way. Auto dimming, and opens garage doors only with ignition on or in accessory mode. But basically need the key to open garage door. Seems like a basic safety feature with many cars parked in driveways.
 
#19 ·
Success with wiring Homelink to 12V ACC only.

www.rav4world.com

Changed my RAV4 Prime XSE Homelink mirror to operate on...

The RAV4 Prime Homelink mirror (probably any Toyota Homelink factory mirror) operates all the time so if you park outside someone could break into your vehicle and open your garage door. Some folks don't like that so I decided I would dig into it. I pulled the cover off my camera and found the...
www.rav4world.com www.rav4world.com
 
#20 ·
In case anyone is interested, I used a different approach for the garage door:
  • Hacked an actual garage door remote to use a relay as a trigger, instead of the push button.
  • Hid the whole thing in a hard-to-find place in the car.
  • Placed a proximity sensor somewhere behind the dash, and connected the sensor to the relay. (I could have just used a push button, but it would have been half the fun).
So now, to open the garage door, I just have to touch the dash in that particular spot. Nothing visible and, of course, it only works with ignition on. :)
 
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