DAMMIT! NO auto-dimming mirror on 2017 SV

[RRLeafEV]

Great response, chirpyboy! That should help anyone working on this thread tremendously.

Still welcoming specific wire identification, gang.

[mbduclos]

RRLeafEV,
Have you completed the mirror change and how did it go? What did you do for the wiring? I would like to do the same to my 2017 Leaf. Thanks.

[gshepherd]

Surprised the auto-dimming mirror was deleted from the 2017 SV. Oh well, the stock Nissan auto-dimming mirror not all that great anyway:

I recently upgraded our 2016 SV's form the stock Nissan "Auto-Dimming" mirror to a much better grade of Gentex mirror (I believe Nissan sourced Gentex for their mirrors, but had some features deleted to keep costs down).

The new mirror features a frameless design that is less bulky/distracting during the day, and the HomeLink buttons are softly illuminated at night. As well, the auto-dimming feature is much improved over the mirrors our SV's came with (sometimes I wondered if the Nissan mirror was even working as headlights were glaring at me - it took several cars worth of headlights to trigger the stock mirror).

One thing to keep in mind is if you park your car outside your house or garage... if your HomeLink mirror receives power even while the car is off, you have a security risk. Someone could break into your car (or even reach in if the window is down) and open your garage door with the push of a button.

For that reason, I have intentionally wired my new mirror ONLY to switched power. The HomeLink buttons only work when the car is turned on. The mirror still remembers the learned remote codes even without power, so all works as expected. I especially like that I don't have to hold the button down to activate the door; the mirror not only has a long range, but keeps transmitting the code for a bit after releasing the button.

The only downside to the frameless Gentex mirror is the "upside down" shape compared to the LEAF's rear window. I'm the kind of person to notice that detail, so simple solution was to twist the mirror upside down with the HomeLink buttons on top. Now it nicely matches the rear window shape, and looks even a bit cleaner.

Here's the mirror I went with:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PXGZESO

[Scaramanga]

My god that's a spendy mirror but I had no idea the SV models didn't come with them. I've only seen my stock one kick off to auto dim a couple of times, maybe the effect is subtle, not sure. Nice work though.

[GerryAZ]

The dimming function on my 2015 works quickly and dims appropriately (about the same as my SUV). It may react slower or not dim much if you have dark tint on the rear window. I have an SUV assigned to me at work that has dark tint on the back window (in addition to the factory tinted glass) and the self-dimming responds much slower that the Lear or my SUV at home.

[CWO4Mann]

In Re: automatic dimming by rear-view mirror.

My LEAF came with the fancy mirror. However, I had a custom shop do 30% tint with UV spectrum attenuation all around, except for the windshield ( you have to be a member of a gang or livin' that thug life to have a completely tinted windshield). Since installation there has been no dimming capability. I initially tried various button pushes, etc., with negative results.

Now, when approached and usually tailgated by a high-beam driver, I slow down so the driver can see my bumper sticker "Vietnam Vet - PTSD!" They go around.

[Leaf15]

Hooking up Homelink on Ignition wire is kind of more secure and simple to wire, but of course "locks only stop a honest man". One can supply 12 V directly to the mirror connector and use HomeLink,
Prices seems to come down quite a lot, so I upgraded my Dimming mirror with Dimming +HomeLink ($45 from ebay with wire connector) and used old dimming mirror to upgrade my Civic 2012 plain mirror with Honda OEM wire harness kit (somebody kindly sold me for $15 on Amazon) that matched old Leaf connector plug, and the car had compatible mounting bracket with Leaf mirror(thanks Honda).

[Lothsahn]

So I tried to do the upgrade but the map light doesn't want to come out of the ceiling.

I'm going to pick up some plastic trim removal tools tomorrow but I see YouTube videos with people just pulling the light out with their hands.

Am I doing something wrong? Is it that easy?