Rear View Mirror Position Error

[Sealy]

It was way back when Merlot was new to me and I was a little more adventurous. No special tool, but I don't recall how much effort. Probably enough to make me nervous, but not enough to stop me.

[HKS]

Thanks Sealy,
Now my nerves have settled down by 1%.
I assume all force needs to be up or down. Pulling anything close like towards me is no good.
Hermann

[Tbear]

image_51954.jpg You can insert a small flat screw driver in the hole and pry against the bracket. Just point the mirror to the floor and you will see it.

[AZTB]

You can insert a small flat screw driver in the hole and pry against the bracket. Just point the mirror to the floor and you will see it.

I see an old friend in the background.

[HKS]

Dave,
Got the small screwdriver out and popped the old mirror out and slid the 2002 Explorer/Mountaineer mirror in.

Now I will need to switch a couple of wires on the TBird connector since the mirror is sealed shut (and also make a note in my owners manual as Dot suggested).
I need to take pin 6 (auto map light FEM dimming) and put it in unused, safe pin 1 location. Then I need to supply a permanent, ground from pin 2 and move it to pin 6.
I someone puts the old mirror back on then the map lights would stay on unless the mod is reversed. Much easier to reverse than a vasectomy.

I gave up an the Sable mirror because there was an attachment that I did not know where it went. It was probably the compass attached to the Sable header. If left off and a feature was missing that would not be good.
There is an on off button on the new mirror. Any idea what it does?

Might do it tonight. If you stay up late I may post a picture and finally end this thread.

Hermann
P.S. I still would like a rear camera display on a 10 inch auto dimming mirror.

[Tbear]

I see an old friend in the background.

Yep Jim, The IG is doing well. It will turn over 100,000 in about 150 miles. I have not installed a auto dimming mirror in it.

Hermann. Sounds like you are getting close. I think you will like auto dimming much better. A backup camera in the mirror is on my list, but I have bigger projects right now. The one I have installed in the WW works fine, but it is in the radio and I forget to look there when I am backing that car. Its called CRS (Can't Remember Squat). I might find it more useful in the mirror.

[HKS]

Yep Jim, The IG is doing well. It will turn over 100,000 in about 150 miles. I have not installed a auto dimming mirror in it.

Hermann. Sounds like you are getting close. I think you will like auto dimming much better. A backup camera in the mirror is on my list, but I have bigger projects right now. The one I have installed in the WW works fine, but it is in the radio and I forget to look there when I am backing that car. Its called CRS (Can't Remember Squat). I might find it more useful in the mirror.

Drove Tbird to grocery store. Noticed the headrests/restraints (turned head) blocking a big portion of the rear view. So, a rear view camera display in the mirror would be a gigantic improvement to safety.

[HKS]

Got mirror installed. Hard to test in the garage. Need help about the off/on switch on this 2002 Explorer mirror. What does it do? It is a spongy switch not snap action.
May not work. My guess it is for disabling auto-dimm. Click on attached thumbnail pix.
ExporerAutoDimOnOFF Sw.jpg

Could be bad and junk dealers do not know if things work. Also they might just assume it might work in a 2002 Explorer. If so, I might have to see what configuration of pins are required. More than I wanted.
I will have to see if I can exchange it.
HKS

[Tbear]

I'm sure it is to disable the auto dim. It's gonna be hard to test in your garage.
I looked through the owners manual for a 2002 Explorer online and did not see anything about an auto-dimming mirror, but they did mention a compass in the mirror.

It's probably a GenTex mirror, they did most of the OEM and aftermarket mirrors. If it is, then you just need pins 1 and 2 on the mirror. Pin 1 is + and pin 2 is -. Disregard the rest of the pins.

[HKS]

I'm sure it is to disable the auto dim. It's gonna be hard to test in your garage.
I looked through the owners manual for a 2002 Explorer online and did not see anything about an auto-dimming mirror, but they did mention a compass in the mirror.

It's probably a GenTex mirror, they did most of the OEM and aftermarket mirrors. If it is, then you just need pins 1 and 2 on the mirror. Pin 1 is + and pin 2 is -. Disregard the rest of the pins.

You may be right. The 2002 Sable/Taurus mirror uses pin 1 and 2.

The 2002 For Explorer says 7 and 6. Exact opposite.
I may try the pins 1 and 2 before I give up. Worst that can happen is a blown fuse or blown mirror. But, it may be protected against reverse voltage.

Thanks very very much Dave.
Hermann

P.S. The 2002 Ford service info was published in 2001. It was probably written in 2000 and many changes were made thereafter (before 2002 production).

[HKS]

Switched wires to pin 1 for +12v and pin 2 Ground and disregarded the 2002 Ford connector drawings, and now an LED lights up.

Wish I had known it had an LED in it. Did not know if it was another sensor or whatever.
Will need to wait until tonight for a trial run.
It was kind of scary because it takes a while for the green LED to light up after starting. It must be warming up or calibrating.
HKS

Just go by the 2002 Sable drawing and just move pin 7 (power) to pin 1 location to get mirror to work. See post #42

[HKS]

2002Sable-TaurusMirror.JPG

[Tbear]

Progress is good! I think it is working for ya. Now to see if you like it.

[HKS]

Progress is good! I think it is working for ya. Now to see if you like it.

Due to Tbear's appreciated input, it is working now.

Advice: Don't worry about any other wires. Just move the pin 7 wire to the pin 1 location and the 2002 Explorer Auto-Dimming Mirror will work.
It will be always on, but there is an on/off button available.
2002RvMirorBack-OriginalOEM.jpg
Picture taken before pin 7 is moved to pin 1. Original 2002 Tbird plug.
Thank you Dave

HKS
P.S. Next mod. I kinda miss the map light.
Mount a map light to bottom of mirror.
You need to open the mirror and drill a hole for the LED light (see YouTube demo).
It would only work if you open a door, (same as courtesy floor lights) otherwise an on/off button is also needed. So, until then, if you need to read a map you need to stop and crack a door open.

Or, don't open the mirror. Just attach a couple of small (black) wires to the above pictured connector.
The pin 6 wire goes to negative side of LED and pin 1 (+12V after it was moved from pin7 to 1) goes to the positive side, then glue the LED to the bottom of the mirror some way.
Pin 6 is where the ground closure is supplied by the FEM (Front Electronic Module) when the doors are opened.

[Tbear]

Congrats! You will enjoy it.