Easy "Homelink" option

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by TowDawg, May 24, 2013.

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  1. TowDawg

    TowDawg New Member

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    The III I bought Tuesday didn't come with a Homelink mirror, but I was just going to add one until I read all the threads about how the auto-dimming function doesn't work that well in the gen III models. I really couldn't care less about having the auto-dimming mirror, and I tinted the windows today, so it probably wouldn't be huge deal anyway. What I DID want was to be able to program my gate and garage doors into the car and not have to have remotes clipped anywhere. As I was looking around, I noticed a bare plastic panel just in front of the sunglasses holder.
    I went to ACE and bought some momentary switches and took them apart, so all I had left was the button that physically moved in and out (spring loaded to always be out except when you press it). I used velcro to stick my gate remote and garage door opener against the roof where I removed the plastic panel, and then drilled holes to mount the buttons. Basically, all that happens is that I push the button, and that, in turn, pushes the button on the remote. It's very simple, and now that I know it works, I might look for some nicer looking buttons at some point. Because of spacing up there, I couldn't fit buttons for the other garage doors, but I got the gate and the garage where the Prius will park taken care of anyway.
    Just thought I'd share in case anyone was interested in not having remotes laying around, but didn't want to add the whole Homelink mirror.
     

    Attached Files:

    #1 TowDawg, May 24, 2013
    PLSPUSH and ImeanGreen like this.
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    well done!(y) any way to hardwire to the 12v?
     
    #2 bisco, May 24, 2013
  3. TowDawg

    TowDawg New Member

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    Do you mean to hardwire the openers into the car's electrical system?
    I'm sure there is, but I didn't feel like looking for wires and figuring out how to connect them to the circuits on the remotes. Plus, by doing it the way I did, all I have to do is pop the panel off and grab one of the remotes if I need it somewhere else since I didn't modify them at all and used velcro to hold them in.
     
    #3 TowDawg, May 24, 2013
  4. Sfcyclist

    Sfcyclist Senior Member

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    Be nice if you can find some factory or factory look like buttons.
     
    #4 Sfcyclist, May 24, 2013
  5. genetiix

    genetiix Member

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    Looks great. I really like DIY creative stuff like this.

    I did something similar and was able to tap into the 12v in the dome light harness.
     
    #5 genetiix, May 24, 2013
  6. MrTransAm

    MrTransAm Junior Member

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    Thank for the great idea. I did mine the same day as your original post.
     

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    #6 MrTransAm, May 27, 2013
  7. TowDawg

    TowDawg New Member

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    Nice! Glad I could help. It looks like you even got the exact same button. lol
     
    #7 TowDawg, May 27, 2013
  8. genetiix

    genetiix Member

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    Had a chance to snap a pic of my mod. I got this idea from a local member on the board.

    [​IMG]
     
    #8 genetiix, May 27, 2013
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  9. TowDawg

    TowDawg New Member

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    Those are a hell of a lot nicer looking. Where did you come up with them?
     
    #9 TowDawg, May 27, 2013
  10. genetiix

    genetiix Member

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    I wanted a homelink option but didn't care for the dimming mirrors. I met up with a local member to sell my extra grill. We were showing our mods off and his homelink mod caught my eye. Basically he took a visor homelink unit and retrofitted it in that empty space. Since I didn't care for the dimming function, this unit is so much cheaper than the gentex mirrors. $20 vs $150. The DIY took me about 2 hrs because I was using a razor. Could have taken out the dremel and finished much much quicker.
     
    #10 genetiix, May 27, 2013
  11. mgb4tim

    mgb4tim Noob

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    I did something similar to the visor of my XJ6 (Jaguar Homelink Photos by mgb4tim | Photobucket), and then to the visor of my mother's Solara convertible.
     
    #11 mgb4tim, May 28, 2013
  12. Johnny C

    Johnny C Member

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    Do you have any details on the wiring? Does it require running wires to the fuse box, etc.?

     
    #12 Johnny C, May 29, 2013
  13. limdoug

    limdoug Junior Member

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    Where did you buy that module?
     
    #13 limdoug, May 30, 2013
  14. genetiix

    genetiix Member

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    I got the module off eBay. It is about 20 and just needs a (+) and (-). I got the constant 12v from the dome light harness about 3inches away. The dome light harness should have its own fuse. Search for 'homelink visor' on eBay it should come up.
     
    #14 genetiix, May 30, 2013
  15. zebelkhan

    zebelkhan Member in good standing

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    genetiix, your install looks much nicer than mine! You did a great job! I had to install mine a bit off center to avoid having to cut into the plastic underneath. Were you able to install the homelink unit without breaking it apart, like I did, or you were able to fit it in one piece?
     
    #15 zebelkhan, Jun 6, 2013
  16. genetiix

    genetiix Member

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    Steve,

    I broke it apart, however that cause more harm. Because how my module is (single circuit board) , the buttons need to physically push onto the circuit board to work. I then had to tape it back when assembling in order for the little rubber buttons to reach. Ill take out the hot glue gun one day and make it permanent.

    I remember seeing yours with 2 circuit boards, and that install would have been much cleaner.
     
    #16 genetiix, Jun 7, 2013
  17. mgb4tim

    mgb4tim Noob

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    The 3 or 4 Homelink visor modules I've played with snapped together with tabs, no glue involved. I powered mine from the driver's side vanity mirror light power lead. That light is always powered, but grounded when you drop the visor and slide open the mirror cover. I don't recall where I grounded my Homelink, but it's I'm guessing it was a ground wire in the overhead console.
     
    #17 mgb4tim, Jun 7, 2013
  18. dpham

    dpham Junior Member

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    very nice... just wonder how to remove the panel? thanks
     
    #18 dpham, Jun 10, 2013
  19. zebelkhan

    zebelkhan Member in good standing

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    The cover is held in place with two plastic retainers. Grab it from the windshield side. It snaps right off. Look at the pictures in post #6 above.
     
    #19 zebelkhan, Jun 11, 2013
  20. tomstodola

    tomstodola Member

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    I did the ebay homelink thing on my Goldwing and a few cars I have had. With the Prius I have the Gentex mirror with homelink. The autodimming mirror work well and I have not had any problems. You do have to wire both a switched and an unswitched power source, however.
     
    #20 tomstodola, Jun 12, 2013
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