Gentex rearview mirror problems

What's up Tacoma people. So here's the deal. Two weeks ago I installed a gentex rearview mirror in my 2015 Tacoma per recommended install instructions. It's the one with the auto dim, homelink and temp sensor. It worked great, but this morning when I turned on the ignition "OC" was in the display where the temperature usually is. After some research I believe it stands for open circuit. So I checked and double checked all wiring harnesses and connections. All good there... OC is still in my display. I can only imagine that the sensor itself is the problem. Has anyone else run it no this error message and if so what do I need to do to fix it?

Cheers!

 

I have the same mirror so sub'd for outcome. Maybe @RJP869 will chime in?

 

Did you check as much of the harness that you could? It's possible you pinched a wire somewhere. Have you done any other mods since installing the mirror?

 

Yes. On all the harnesses guess next step is to pull some plastic off and double check there too. I think it's weird that it malfunctioned two weeks dowe the road. Thanks for the suggestion

 

It also might be time to buy a multimeter and start testing for current. That will help you track down the disconnect. I have the gentex with just temp, AD, and direction. Is your model only two wires to connect? The rest is in the factory harness that was pre wired?

 

Thanks for the reply chase.
3 wires on the harness 2 to the probe. Unfortunately I'm super ignorant when it comes to electrical do you have suggestions on what multimeter would work for this application?

 

Yea, the two to the probe is probably where your issue is. Since the temp portion is saying OC, but direction is working. That means your power and ground from the factory harness are working fine. So somewhere on your wire to, and from the sensor, is screwed up.

I don't know specs, but I do believe any multimeter that can handle 12v would be fine. I need to buy one myself, but I haven't had an electrical issue yet.

 

Awesome man, I guess the next step is a trip to the hardware store.

 

Good luck!

One more thing, did you use butt connectors for your install, or did you solder the connections? The connectors are convenient, but if you didn't get a solid crimp, you could have a loose connection there.

I would suggest buying a soldering iron too. I bought one for like $15 bucks off Amazon, nothing fancy and has made it through a handful of projects now.

 

Yes I did use the butt connectors. That's probably a good place to start.

 

Chase your the man! Loose wire at the butt connecter. I bought some proper wire crimps and a smaller connector and now have a much tighter fit. Seems pretty obvious now.

Thanks again everyone for the replies I'm glad it was an easy fix.

 

Nice! Glad my advice was correct and it was a simple fix.

I did a thing!

 

What model Gentex mirror is this? I'm crazy but I want to retrofit one into my '98 haha.

 

Mine is gentex 313.

 

I installed the gentex 177, there are a few people on eBay selling the complete kit with wires and sensor and etc for 75-100.00
The gentex 177 mirror is a GM mirror, IT IS auto dimming so the lights in the rear mirror automatically
dim the mirror, you also have a compass and a temperature indicator.
The hardest part is fishing the wires through the front of the head linier one at a time and then fishing them all through the headlinier to the right side pillar. You need to remove the PLACTIC side pillar and run the wires for power and the wires for the temp sensor that you will attach to the very front of the truck by the horn. 2 wires run to this sensor, the other 2 wires run under the glove box area( remove the glove box) and find a ground by the glove box frame and hot wire to the cigarette light so that when the key is off the power to the mirror is off also. The mirror will drain the battery if you connect to a hot wire that is not controlled by the ingintion. My cigarette lighter does not work when the ingintion key is off. The mirror is larger than the original mirror and does hit the visitor on the drivers side when you flip it all the way down. But it's not a big deal, so you can't get the larger mirrors because both visiors might be blocked

 

How did you mount it to the reading light assembly? From what I understand the Gentex mirrors use a wedge mount while the factory mirror is directly attached to the reading light housing.

 

I did not, no reason to mount it to the reading light, when you take the Tacoma mirror apart the mirror arm just unscrews from the light housing and you remove it
So you just glue the metal tab to the windshield and slide the mirror on it,
that will come in the kit when you buy it off eBay.
Make sure you buy a listing that has the complete setup, wires, temp, sensor, window steel connection,
Etc, this model has everything except the home link,
I could not fine a small mirror that had the temp, compass, auto dim AND home link, so went with this one.
I'm sure 90 percent of all rear mirrors including the new Tacomas all are attached
to the windshield

 

I got a mirror from the recycle yard for two bucks. Take a photo of the VIN sticker so you can look up wire harness if you need to. I tucked my wires behind the headliner along the top of the windshield.
Down the left side to the fuse box.
Remember to calibrate your mirror. Most instructions tell you to push and hold a button, then do three slow circles in a parking lot.
(The green ground wire is screwed to the stock Toyota mirror mount screw with a ring terminal.)

 

That works too, just remember to get the temp sensor and wire connection ,sometimes they are buried in the donor car and hard to find, or buy one of these off ebay
These are the parts you need and a metal wedge, wiring harness etc,
You will love having A outside temperature GUAGE, COMPASS, AND AUTO DIMMING MIRROR

 

My gentex 313 is acting up too. I used the splice connectors so its not the best connection. I'll dig into it this weekend.