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Auto-dimming mirror installation on a Saab 9-5.

Some cars came with it, some without. You can find it in eBay, on scrap yards, or buy it from Saab. It's a direct replacement, you just need to provide the power for the mirror. Later cars have an accessory wiring harness to plug the mirror in. If the harness is not there, you will need to do the wiring yourself. The only tool required is a Torx/flat screwdriver from the trunk.

If you need to quickly test the mirror, power it up by applying 12V between the red wire (pin 5) and the black wire (pin 8). Then cover the sensor on the back of the mirror and point a flashlight or another source of the bright light at the glass. It takes about 3-4 second to dim, giving the image a greenish hue.

The wiring used in this guide is specified by the Saab manual for early style mirrors with no compass and homelink device. It uses an non-switched power source. Later style mirrors draw more current, so you need a switched power source (e.g. a sunroof lead) to turn the mirror off with the car and prevent it from draining your battery.

 

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07.10.2007: Lamp cover
Use a flat screwdriver to pry off the lamp cover.

 

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07.10.2007: Screw
Undo the Torx screw holding the housing.

 

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07.10.2007: Connectors
Unplug the connectors for the microphone and the temperature sensor.

 

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07.10.2007: Mirror
Unscrew the mirror from the ceiling and remove it from the car.

 

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07.10.2007: Mirrors
The auto-dimming mirror is slightly thicker, has a sensor on the back, and a wiring harness coming out of it.

 

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07.10.2007: Wiring
Attach a 12V power lead to the red wire (pin 5). Attach a ground lead to the black wire (pin 8).

 

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07.10.2007: Attached
Screw the new mirror to the ceiling. Hide the wires under the headliner.

 

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07.10.2007: Harness
Unplug the grey harness in the centre of the housing, keep the new wires near.

 

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07.10.2007: Connected
Tap the power lead into the red/white wire (pin 5), and the ground lead into the black wire (pin 8). Re-connect the harness.

 

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07.10.2007: Done
Install the lamp cluster housing, tighten the screw and fit the lamp cover. Wait until it gets dark and go for a drive to check your mirror on the road.

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