Updating Rear view mirror
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 234
Likes: 75
From: Chicago
Updating Rear view mirror
Hey guys
I have a 99 with the old style rear view mirror and want to upgrade to the 01-04 style with the auto dimming, orange console light and led map lights. I have the Harness and mirror from an 04(Harness has plugs for mirror and visors) and would like to know if anyone knows where the harness plugs into? Just don’t want to start pulling panels off until I have a plan, Any help would be much appreciated
I have a 99 with the old style rear view mirror and want to upgrade to the 01-04 style with the auto dimming, orange console light and led map lights. I have the Harness and mirror from an 04(Harness has plugs for mirror and visors) and would like to know if anyone knows where the harness plugs into? Just don’t want to start pulling panels off until I have a plan, Any help would be much appreciated
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,294
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From: Brea CA
For the 2001 and up cars there is a connector in the corner of the passenger A-pillar for the harness. For the 2000 and earlier cars there is no connector for this harness.
You will have to cut and splice the connector in for the new mirror.
The 2 orange wires in the harness are for different circuits, one is always on the other is powered when the doors are opened. The black wire is ground and there are I think 2 other wires that are for the auto dimming drivers mirror which is controlled by the inside rear view. Since your car does not have that feature these would not be connected to anything.
I can get the specifics for the circuits later if you want them.
Gary
You will have to cut and splice the connector in for the new mirror.
The 2 orange wires in the harness are for different circuits, one is always on the other is powered when the doors are opened. The black wire is ground and there are I think 2 other wires that are for the auto dimming drivers mirror which is controlled by the inside rear view. Since your car does not have that feature these would not be connected to anything.
I can get the specifics for the circuits later if you want them.
Gary
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 234
Likes: 75
From: Chicago
For the 2001 and up cars there is a connector in the corner of the passenger A-pillar for the harness. For the 2000 and earlier cars there is no connector for this harness.
You will have to cut and splice the connector in for the new mirror.
The 2 orange wires in the harness are for different circuits, one is always on the other is powered when the doors are opened. The black wire is ground and there are I think 2 other wires that are for the auto dimming drivers mirror which is controlled by the inside rear view. Since your car does not have that feature these would not be connected to anything.
I can get the specifics for the circuits later if you want them.
Gary
You will have to cut and splice the connector in for the new mirror.
The 2 orange wires in the harness are for different circuits, one is always on the other is powered when the doors are opened. The black wire is ground and there are I think 2 other wires that are for the auto dimming drivers mirror which is controlled by the inside rear view. Since your car does not have that feature these would not be connected to anything.
I can get the specifics for the circuits later if you want them.
Gary
Ahhh so I Cant just swap the harness 🤔🤔Good info thank you
Racer
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 275
Likes: 46
From: Yakima, WA
For the 2001 and up cars there is a connector in the corner of the passenger A-pillar for the harness. For the 2000 and earlier cars there is no connector for this harness.
You will have to cut and splice the connector in for the new mirror.
The 2 orange wires in the harness are for different circuits, one is always on the other is powered when the doors are opened. The black wire is ground and there are I think 2 other wires that are for the auto dimming drivers mirror which is controlled by the inside rear view. Since your car does not have that feature these would not be connected to anything.
I can get the specifics for the circuits later if you want them.
Gary
You will have to cut and splice the connector in for the new mirror.
The 2 orange wires in the harness are for different circuits, one is always on the other is powered when the doors are opened. The black wire is ground and there are I think 2 other wires that are for the auto dimming drivers mirror which is controlled by the inside rear view. Since your car does not have that feature these would not be connected to anything.
I can get the specifics for the circuits later if you want them.
Gary
I need to install a blower door actuator in passenger side so figure I will take out the dash and the valance and if need be A-Pillar cover and do everything I may need to do at once while things are exposed.
Relatively new Corvette owner and realized how dark they are inside at night when the car wouldn't start (BCM issue), so figured I would try to get rear view mirror with map lights and lighted visors to help light the interior when needed.
Sorry if I butted in, but this was just the information I have been looking for.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,294
Likes: 480
From: Brea CA
The 2 orange wires in the harness are circuit 740 and 640. Circuit 640 ties back to Fuse 2 and Relay 37 'Monitored Load'. This is always hot
The other orange wire circuit 740 is hot when the interior lights come on when doors are opened (Courtesy Lights, Fuse 29 Relay 42). This is hot when the doors are opened or the dimmer switch is turned fully clockwise to turn on the interior lights.
There are a couple of other wires in the harness:
* Black is Ground
* Brown is for the dim orange light on the bottom of the mirror. This light is to provide some ambient lighting over the shifter area.This is on Fuse 21 'BTSIBU'.
This information if from the 2002 Service manual. I did use this info to swap a 2000 from the standard mirror to a auto dimming mirror. I did have to cut and splice the harness to make the change.
Let me know if you need any more info
Gary
The other orange wire circuit 740 is hot when the interior lights come on when doors are opened (Courtesy Lights, Fuse 29 Relay 42). This is hot when the doors are opened or the dimmer switch is turned fully clockwise to turn on the interior lights.
There are a couple of other wires in the harness:
* Black is Ground
* Brown is for the dim orange light on the bottom of the mirror. This light is to provide some ambient lighting over the shifter area.This is on Fuse 21 'BTSIBU'.
This information if from the 2002 Service manual. I did use this info to swap a 2000 from the standard mirror to a auto dimming mirror. I did have to cut and splice the harness to make the change.
Let me know if you need any more info
Gary
VETERAN
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 592
Likes: 57
From: Dayton OH
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I put the newer rear view mirror in with splicing the wires, but not happy with the mounting to the original windshield. The mirror shakes somewhat unless I didn't force
it downward enough. Lights all work but want it stable.
Jim
it downward enough. Lights all work but want it stable.
Jim
Last edited by BRAVO1; Feb 8, 2020 at 10:11 AM.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 234
Likes: 75
From: Chicago
sounds like you didn’t force it down enough
