Rear View Mirror Swap Questions. SOS 05 330i --> Non_SOS

[trancenation]

Hello All,

I'm planning to pick up a 2005 325i mirror with rain sensors/autodimming to replace my 2005 330i SOS mirror w/ rain sensor & autodimming. I was wondering if these mirrors were plug and play or if I am supposed to alter the wiring harness.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[derbo]

Hello All,

I'm planning to pick up a 2005 325i mirror with rain sensors/autodimming to replace my 2005 330i SOS mirror w/ rain sensor & autodimming. I was wondering if these mirrors were plug and play or if I am supposed to alter the wiring harness.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Jay definitely not PLUG N PLAY! If you have access to a multimeter, figure out which circuit/pins connect to the autodimming and what connects to the SOS. Best way to be safe is to remove all the wires from the car harness and install power to pin 3 and ground to pin 10 for it to work.


Here is what I wrote when I did mine from SOS, non auto-dimming to Auto-dimming, Compass, Homelink Mirror.


I've been looking around the forums about the EC/GTO/Compass mirrors and how it is so easy to install by adding pin 3 and pin 10 to the harness. Be warned! Not all E46 will always be this easy!

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=259874&highlight=rear+mirror

From this thread, it seems the most complete pin out i've seen so far.


'03 Oval Mirror with no Assist, no homelink (10 pin connector)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Pin 1 +12V when car is put in reverse, I believe so AD is disabled while backing up
Pin 2 +12V Constant source (Power "reciever" for remotes)
Pin 3 +12V Ignition source (Power AD circuitry)
Pin 4 O/S (-) Optical Sensor
Pin 5 O/S (+) Optical Sensor
Pin 6 O/S (-) Optical Sensor
Pin 7 O/S (+) Optical Sensor
Pin 8 ????
Pin 9 LED kathode (-) This is the clown nose LED
Pin 10 Ground

Note: that the O/S pins 4, 5, 6, 7 take up four pins and loop into each other (ie 4/6 and 5/7)

Now on the car side. As mentioned I have an '05 M3 with Assist so my wiring may differ to that of other E46 vehicles. I can say though that there seems to be some commanility between my '05 and the '03 oval mirror

'05 M3 Car connector located near rain sensor, no homelink (10 pin connector)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pin 1 +12V when car is put in reverse, I believe so AD is disabled while
Pin 2 -BLANK- NO CONNECTION
Pin 3 +12V Ignition source (Power AD circuitry)
Pin 4 +12V Constant source (I-Bus for Assist)
Pin 5 Parking light +1.5V (used to light the Assist buttons)
Pin 6 ?????
Pin 7 +12V Constant source (Power "reciever" for remotes)
Pin 8 +12V Constant source
Pin 9 LED kathode (-) This is the clown nose LED
Pin 10 Ground



I have an oddball 330i with performance package, power seats and SOS. if your e46 has SOS, this can be a problem! I tried an auto-dim mirror and it melted the EC (boiled over look almost) because the SOS wiring used the same pins that the autodim mirror used. This permanently damaged the EC circuit and made the mirror useless. Now I thought, WTF? I noticed all the threads and DIY, no one really had SOS so they didn't have the wiring issue like I did.

So I fiddled around with the multimeter as well and found that pin 4, 5, 6, 7 would have a problem with the electrochromatic circuit on the mirror. I had to remove the pins from 4,5,6,7 and add pin 3 only since pin 10 was also SOS shared ground. Luckily I ordered the BMW harness kit and had an extra plug to just throw the SOS wires into and shove it up into the headliner. Now I have an EC/GTO mirror, no compass yet.. got to find one :)


I just thought I put my experience on the forums, so no one has to melt another one of these mirrors and waste their money. :hi:

[trancenation]

Ah this is good to know. Thanks. Are the pins labeled on the wiring harness connected to the vehicle? Additionally, did you alter the wiring harness connected to the car or mirror?

[Oli77]

Why are you changing mirror Jay?

[trancenation]

Why are you changing mirror Jay?
I have the infamous mirror bubble. I've decided to forgo getting a brand new one and instead I'm picking a replacement up.

[derbo]

Ah this is good to know. Thanks. Are the pins labeled on the wiring harness connected to the vehicle? Additionally, did you alter the wiring harness connected to the car or mirror?


On the harness on the car side, there is a small numbers on the connector showing 1 - 10.
Pin 10 will be a brown wire and you should have it and that can help you figure out the orientation of the connector.
Pin 3 should be a green/yellow wire.

It should be :

1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10



I modified the car harness portion. Pin 4, 5, 6, 7 are now empty on my car side portion of the harness. I depinned it and left it in the headliner. Keep in mind, SOS will no longer be active. I did not have an intention to retain it.

[cakM3]

Based on Derek's post above... for vehicles with nav you can still access the sos feature from the display menu.

[derbo]

Maybe you can confirm Charlie :)

[cakM3]

Maybe you can confirm Charlie :)

Jay, if you're going to connect a non-SOS rear view auto dim mirror to a car with BMW assist, you need to do the following...

On the car side of the connector, not the mirror side...

Pin 1 +12V when car is put in reverse, I believe so AD is disabled while
Pin 2 -BLANK- NO CONNECTION
Pin 3 +12V Ignition source (Power AD circuitry)
Pin 4 +12V Constant source (I-Bus for Assist)
Pin 5 Parking light +1.5V (used to light the Assist buttons)
Pin 6 ?????
Pin 7 +12V Constant source (Power "reciever" for remotes)
Pin 8 +12V Constant source
Pin 9 LED kathode (-) This is the clown nose LED
Pin 10 Ground

Push out Pin 7 (+12V Constant source) and reinsert into Pin 2 (BLANK). As well as push out pins 4, 5, 6, and 7 on the mirror side of the connector plug. This will prevent you from smoking the mirror. Those pins (4, 5, 6, & 7) are used with BMW Assist from the research I have done.

I have done this with my ///M since it too has BMW assist. I did not like the OE SOS auto dim mirror and swapped it out for a non-BMW Assist ///M Oval auto dim mirror. This process worked very well for me.

[trancenation]

Thanks Derek and Charlie! So should I remove the 4, 5, 6, and 7 pins from both the Car connector and Mirror connector or just the Car connector. I'll try this out once I have some time to replace my mirror.


Jay, if you're going to connect a non-SOS rear view auto dim mirror to a car with BMW assist, you need to do the following...

On the car side of the connector, not the mirror side...

Pin 1 +12V when car is put in reverse, I believe so AD is disabled while
Pin 2 -BLANK- NO CONNECTION
Pin 3 +12V Ignition source (Power AD circuitry)
Pin 4 +12V Constant source (I-Bus for Assist)
Pin 5 Parking light +1.5V (used to light the Assist buttons)
Pin 6 ?????
Pin 7 +12V Constant source (Power "reciever" for remotes)
Pin 8 +12V Constant source
Pin 9 LED kathode (-) This is the clown nose LED
Pin 10 Ground

Push out Pin 7 (+12V Constant source) and reinsert into Pin 2 (BLANK). As well as push out pins 4, 5, 6, and 7 on the mirror side of the connector plug. This will prevent you from smoking the mirror. Those pins (4, 5, 6, & 7) are used with BMW Assist from the research I have done.

I have done this with my ///M since it too has BMW assist. I did not like the OE SOS auto dim mirror and swapped it out for a non-BMW Assist ///M Oval auto dim mirror. This process worked very well for me.

[cakM3]

Thanks Derek and Charlie! So should I remove the 4, 5, 6, and 7 pins from both the Car connector and Mirror connector or just the Car connector. I'll try this out once I have some time to replace my mirror.

Since it is easiest, I would simply push pins 4, 5, 6, & 7 from the mirror side only (tuck the wires aside in the mirror neck). The only thing you need to do on the car-side of the connector is push out pin 7 and put it into pin 2. Then you should be set. That is assuming everything is the same as what I had in my 2004 ///M. You know about assumption.....just check and verify first before blindly doing anything...

Be sure to keep us updated on status Jay! Good Luck :thumbsup

[derbo]

Charlie,

Good call on de pinning the mirror instead of the car side.

I did it so in case I need to replace the mirror again I wouldn't need to remember to remove the pins from the mirror. I know I would totally forget. Hahahah. I actually replaced my home link auto dimming mirror with a home link compass auto dimming with flat clown nose.


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[TomTomTuning]

I'm subbing to this thread! I don't have Premium so no auto-dim for me...
So I plan to do a retrofit with one of the newer mirrors soon. Derek's info is perfect!

[trancenation]

Looks like my mirror plans are going to have to wait. The person I was supposed to buy the mirror from actually did not have an auto-dimming mirror but rather a manual dimming one. If anyone has an autodimming mirror in good shape please let me know! Thanks.

[derbo]

You know Charlie, I don't even remember if my PIN2 has anything in it or not. I'll have to double check again. :)

[trancenation]

Hmm. So I think I will be getting my hands on a basic EC/LED Autodimming mirror since they are more affordable than ones with Compass or Homelink.

[rguti153]

Anybody ever change the led to different color just wondering

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[rguti153]

U know what ? That would work that plastic thing is red

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[JupiterBMW]

Once again, acronyms have made me feel like a fool... EC? GTO? Can someone explain?? I need to get my hands on the autodimming rearview mirror with the rain/light sensor housing so that I can slowly work toward retrofitting the auto lights and wipers (already have the LCM, will be getting the windshield eventually).

Would love to know more info here. I think the perfect mirror would be the one that Derek currently has... Autodimming, homelink, and flat clown nose. Compass isn't too important because I have compass on the Nav screen.

[trancenation]

The EC stands for electro chromatic (the fluid like function that has bubbles when worn out) and GTO refers to integrated remote control/garage door opener.

[derbo]

Once again, acronyms have made me feel like a fool... EC? GTO? Can someone explain?? I need to get my hands on the autodimming rearview mirror with the rain/light sensor housing so that I can slowly work toward retrofitting the auto lights and wipers (already have the LCM, will be getting the windshield eventually).

Would love to know more info here. I think the perfect mirror would be the one that Derek currently has... Autodimming, homelink, and flat clown nose. Compass isn't too important because I have compass on the Nav screen.

Jay got it right.

EC = Electrochromatic, which translates to autodimming
GTO = homelink garage opener.
FLA = high beam assistant.

There are numerous types of these mirrors. Some E60 and most of the F series cars have an option for high beam - assistant and that gets more complicated.




Jon, the one I have is exactly like this one. The one I have is from an E90 with premium package. I believe the only way to get a non compass one with the semi hidden auto-dim photo resistor is to get an E60 one. But be care that some have high beam assistant.. lol. Yea..its complicated. If you need any more help, always can shoot me a text/pm Jon :)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Factory-BMW-Auto-Dim-Rear-View-Mirror-HIDDEN-Compass-Homelink-/290952945761?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43be25a061&vxp=mtr


The actual mirror I would've like to have is exactly mine, EC/GTO/Compass + thin clown nose but the clown nose is clear.

Another version:
The Electric 1 series has a blue LED inside the clear clown nose and similarly looks like a Z4 mirror. I believe these bolt up to our windows as well.

[derbo]

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=975412


someone on e46F is selling a thin clown nose, homelink, autodim no compasss mirror

[trancenation]

He's got a hairline scratch on the mirror just an FYI. Good price for the mirror. So what MY cars do the slim clown nose mirrors come from?

[Hermes]

If somebody needs a mirror I might me willing to sell mine. Original one went bad and I replaced it with a new SOS mirror last year. I have an oval M3 mirror I need to install, so the SOS mirror will eventually just be spare

[derbo]

He's got a hairline scratch on the mirror just an FYI. Good price for the mirror. So what MY cars do the slim clown nose mirrors come from?

Jon,

Yea the minor caveat to that mirror but the price is good!

Slim clown nose come on 07+ cars. E7x E6x E9x E83 all come with the slim clown nose. I'm sure the newer ones will work but I no longer work there and can confrim wiring anymore :)

[JupiterBMW]

My next question is about the mounting section. I am looking to upgrade to a newer mirror with the wider mounting arm that will incorporate the rain/light sensor so that I can retrofit auto headlights.

[derbo]

My next question is about the mounting section. I am looking to upgrade to a newer mirror with the wider mounting arm that will incorporate the rain/light sensor so that I can retrofit auto headlights.

What exactly is the question Jon?

The rain light sensor is on the side and mounted on the windshield and separate to the mirror arm itself. I'll open my mirror and take pics for you if you like.

[JupiterBMW]

Yeah sorry, I realized afterward that I never really posted a question. I sort of figured the mirrors were different because the mounting is very different. The non RLS cars (my '03) have the skinny mirror mounting post, as where the RLS cars (my old '04) had a wider base for the mirror mounting that incorporated the housing of the RLS. I think it was just trim, but underneath, is the mirror mounting the same?

Pics would be awesome Derek. Thanks dood.

[derbo]

Jon I'm not 100% sure what you mean the mounting is skinner. Do you mean the plastic cover around the actual metal portion?

[cakM3]

Jon, the mirror neck is the same diameter between cars with or without the rain sensor. My ///M has rain sensor and the ZHP obviously not. I have the ///M Oval rear view mirror in the ///M with rain sensor and had the same type of mirror (same exact diameters) on my ZHP until recently. it's the plastic cover that goes around the neck that is different.

[derbo]

Jon, the mirror neck is the same diameter between cars with or without the rain sensor. My ///M has rain sensor and the ZHP obviously not. I have the ///M Oval rear view mirror in the ///M with rain sensor and had the same type of mirror (same exact diameters) on my ZHP until recently. it's the plastic cover that goes around the neck that is different.

Charlie,

Thats exactly what I was thinking. Hopefully this clears it up for Jon.

[JupiterBMW]

Ahh, I sort of figured as much, but wasn't 100% sure. So that at least makes it easier for me to find what I need. Hmm, onto the hunt. I've got the correct LCM, maybe I'll start making this project more of a priority...

[trancenation]

Looks like my temporary autodimming mirror without SOS is working. I removed pins 4-7 and it works wonders for now. Thanks guys!

[Oli77]

Great info and thread revival.