Car mirror help, por favor? - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

**Clint** · 03-30-2008, 08:47 PM

Jolene's new Passat doesn't have built-in garage-door buttons. We have an older opener and the clip's broken. Rather than doing the smart thing and buying a new remote, I want a Homelink mirror with the autodim feature. My Tacoma has autodim, and it's really nice to have.

My question is: Is there a universal standard in mirror mounts? Can I use a mirror from another car? I can get a used one, like this, for about a third of what a new, universal fit, like this, would cost. Any tips appreciated.

Easy Rider · 03-30-2008, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

Rather than doing the smart thing and buying a new remote, I want a Homelink mirror with the autodim feature.

My question is: Is there a universal standard in mirror mounts?

I have not, of course, seen every car ever made but.............
I have yet to see one where the rear view mirror had ANYTHING to do with the garage door opener ???

Standard in mirror mounts.....no.
The Passat in a NICE car. My gut feeling is: Don't screw it up.

**Clint** · 03-30-2008, 09:13 PM

They have three opener transmitters built in, and some have a compass. We don't need another compass, but I do want the autodim feature.

Navy_p503 · 03-30-2008, 09:32 PM

I understand what you want to do. What I don't know about the Passat is if the mirror is attached to the windshield or the ceiling of the car? If it's the window then it's just an adhesive to the windshield. I'm not sure about the mount between the mirror and the attachment though. You should be able to make any windshiled mounted mirror work. Just make sure whatever mirror you get has the transmitter in the mirror and it's not in the dash. Good Luck.

**Clint** · 03-31-2008, 09:14 AM

Cool. Thanks.

Easy Rider · 03-31-2008, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

They have three opener transmitters built in, and some have a compass. We don't need another compass, but I do want the autodim feature.

Well I'll be..............learn something new every day !!

I do have one tidbit to throw in:
If the OEM mount is glued to the glass, you might want to think this plan over VERY carefully. The additional weight of the new mirror might eventually "break" the glue and experience tells me that it is VERY difficult to get a good "stick" once it comes loose.

I thought you were talking about one of the outside mirrors (my bad) so I'd think that the inside one would be closer to a universal mount and/or be easier to adapt.

Good luck!

KD57 · 03-31-2008, 09:25 AM

I believe the universal one mounts to a wedge, which is glued onto the windshield. The mirror itself slides down into the wedge and is tightened w/ a small allen screw.

**Clint** · 03-31-2008, 09:41 AM

That's what I figured. I was wondering if the one from the Toyota would be similar.

MikeHump · 03-31-2008, 02:17 PM

Be careful when removing the stock mirror if you do, sometimes on new cars there is a light sensor that detects oncoming light to switch on/off the high beams automatically. The headlight circuit is a pretty sensitive circuit, so you'll have to be careful, it would be a shame to mess up the electronics on a brand new car.

**Clint** · 03-31-2008, 02:20 PM

Thanks. I don't think there's anything automatic in the Passat's headlights. There are no wires at the mirror, either.

MikeHump · 03-31-2008, 02:33 PM

Are you sure it doesn't have auto headlights? What year is it? All new GM's have this technology, so I don't see why VW wouldn't.

**Clint** · 03-31-2008, 02:58 PM

We have the base model. I seriously doubt all GMs have it. Could be wrong.

MikeHump · 03-31-2008, 03:07 PM

True. I forgot that I'm learning to work on the electrical systems of fully loaded GM vehicles. Just wanted to make sure you don't get any electrical problems down the road.

Apertureguy · 03-31-2008, 03:08 PM

I have one of those Toyota's with the reading lights and a compass on my mirror.

I think if it fell off, I would have the dealer put it back on...as it would probably be part of the warranty...or included with the bumper to bumper coverage I got.

If I didn't have the coverage...I'd forget about the autodim feature & remember how to reach up to use the manual dim. But if you can get it to work with the one you bought...more power to you!

It would be my luck that in no way would a 3rd party part ever fit. That's also why I don't play the lottery.

03-30-2008, 09:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
Navy_p503 Third gear and cruising Joined: Jun 2007 Bike: 94 Yamaha YZ 250, 2000 Suzuki Bandit 600s Location: Fort Collins, Co Posts: 467	I understand what you want to do. What I don't know about the Passat is if the mirror is attached to the windshield or the ceiling of the car? If it's the window then it's just an adhesive to the windshield. I'm not sure about the mount between the mirror and the attachment though. You should be able to make any windshiled mounted mirror work. Just make sure whatever mirror you get has the transmitter in the mirror and it's not in the dash. Good Luck. __________________ 2003 Mazda Protege 5 navy_p503@hotmail.com

03-31-2008, 09:25 AM	#7 (permalink)
KD57 No Significant Other Joined: Oct 2007 Bike: 2008 ZZR600 Location: Under a rock in Texas Posts: 2,394	I believe the universal one mounts to a wedge, which is glued onto the windshield. The mirror itself slides down into the wedge and is tightened w/ a small allen screw. __________________ The "other" ZZR rider.

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03-31-2008, 02:17 PM	#9 (permalink)
MikeHump Found second gear by accident Joined: Oct 2007 Bike: 2007 GSXR 600 Location: Tracy, CA Posts: 345	Be careful when removing the stock mirror if you do, sometimes on new cars there is a light sensor that detects oncoming light to switch on/off the high beams automatically. The headlight circuit is a pretty sensitive circuit, so you'll have to be careful, it would be a shame to mess up the electronics on a brand new car.

03-31-2008, 02:33 PM	#11 (permalink)
MikeHump Found second gear by accident Joined: Oct 2007 Bike: 2007 GSXR 600 Location: Tracy, CA Posts: 345	Are you sure it doesn't have auto headlights? What year is it? All new GM's have this technology, so I don't see why VW wouldn't.

03-31-2008, 03:07 PM	#13 (permalink)
MikeHump Found second gear by accident Joined: Oct 2007 Bike: 2007 GSXR 600 Location: Tracy, CA Posts: 345	True. I forgot that I'm learning to work on the electrical systems of fully loaded GM vehicles. Just wanted to make sure you don't get any electrical problems down the road.

03-31-2008, 03:08 PM	#14 (permalink)
Apertureguy Bridal Boutique Manager Joined: Jun 2006 Bike: 2006 Blue M50 Location: New York Posts: 3,071	I have one of those Toyota's with the reading lights and a compass on my mirror. I think if it fell off, I would have the dealer put it back on...as it would probably be part of the warranty...or included with the bumper to bumper coverage I got. If I didn't have the coverage...I'd forget about the autodim feature & remember how to reach up to use the manual dim. But if you can get it to work with the one you bought...more power to you! It would be my luck that in no way would a 3rd party part ever fit. That's also why I don't play the lottery.

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