Digital compass for existing mirror

[Borla Babe]

Re: Digital compass for existing mirror

david, i just ran across your post about installing the compass mirrow. i bought one also and would like your expertise on install. i can not get the header off at the homelink. i do not won't to brake it. did you find a keyed hot wire up there? i would greatly appreciate any help you can give. thank's, mickey c

Mick, David is out of the country right now and probably won't be back for several more days. There are pictures of his Homelink installation in his gallery that might help you http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/membe...00&ppuser=4058

[Peterfurlan]

Re: Digital compass for existing mirror

Wow this is funny a compass. I've been driving for fifty-four years without a compass
in the my car. Always got to my destination, most road signs will let you know what
direction your going in. Last time I needed a compass was for a Boy Scout merit badge.

[Ediron]

Re: Digital compass for existing mirror

John you went from The Bronx to Conn. That wasn't a hard destination to get to

[Peterfurlan]

Re: Digital compass for existing mirror

John you went from The Bronx to Conn. That wasn't a hard destination to get to

Ed I think its the New York upbringing as far as needing a compass. There is
no north or south in the city only the east and west sides. You are either
going uptown or downtown and when you leave the city your going upstate.

[tbird6t4]

Re: Digital compass for existing mirror

Wouldn't one out of a Lincoln LS work as well?

Same car, there must be a few in the wrecking yard by now some are now 11 years old.

There are a few other items that are on our LS that I wouldn't mind having on the Bird. DTE for example.

[Jim Young]

Re: Digital compass for existing mirror

I thought that was what you bought GPS's for .. to tell us where to turn left.... or right.. :)

[Lonestar]

Re: Digital compass for existing mirror

david, i just ran across your post about installing the compass mirrow. i bought one also and would like your expertise on install. i can not get the header off at the homelink. i do not won't to brake it. did you find a keyed hot wire up there? i would greatly appreciate any help you can give. thank's, mickey c

Mick - the header is attached with spring clips and they take a fairly healthy tug to get then to give it up and let go. You need to get that off for the next steps. I assume you purchased a Donnally or Gentex auto dimming mirror w/compass or you got one out of an LS (Donnally).... These need to be attached to switched power so they are only active when the key is on. This requires running the wires down to the fuse box behind the right front kick panel. You will need to use a Add-A-Fuse and tap into a power source that is only live when the key is on like the radio. Your owners manual tells you what fuse is what. If you have a test light or Ohm meter you can find empty spaces in the fuse box that are controlled by the key and you can use one of those slots instead of tapping in on something else if desired.

Now to get to the fuse box you will need to remove the plastic door seal that covers the black molding and carpet - just pry it up. Then lift the black molding to release it all the way up to the dash area. Then you pull the kick panel molding that the fuse box is behind. Pull that piece firmly towards the back of the car and it will release. Now the fuse box is exposed. Run your mirror wires across the header panel, down the pillar post, and into the area where the fuse box is. It sounds daunting but it is not.

Now some people have simply attached their mirrors to the power lead to the antenna that is located in the header. This is fine to do as long as you know you are tapping into the antenna lead so that you know the power will be switched. However, you run the risk of the mirror causing radio interference. Hopes this helps.

[Ediron]

Re: Digital compass for existing mirror

Ed I think its the New York upbringing as far as needing a compass. There is
no north or south in the city only the east and west sides. You are either
going uptown or downtown and when you leave the city your going upstate.

John you jogged my memory with that .Down in S.Florida to long ,it's great to hear N.Y.C. talk .My son who works in N.Y.C. hits me with it when we talk ("doing a job on the westside") etc.

[Ediron]

Re: Digital compass for existing mirror

Lonestar thanks for the explanation of how to do this .I may attempt it one day.I always though I would go down the leftside but this clears it up.

[Borla Babe]

Re: Digital compass for existing mirror

Mick - the header is attached with spring clips and they take a fairly healthy tug to get then to give it up and let go. You need to get that off for the next steps. I assume you purchased a Donnally or Gentex auto dimming mirror w/compass or you got one out of an LS (Donnally).... These need to be attached to switched power so they are only active when the key is on. This requires running the wires down to the fuse box behind the right front kick panel. You will need to use a Add-A-Fuse and tap into a power source that is only live when the key is on like the radio. Your owners manual tells you what fuse is what. If you have a test light or Ohm meter you can find empty spaces in the fuse box that are controlled by the key and you can use one of those slots instead of tapping in on something else if desired.

Now to get to the fuse box you will need to remove the plastic door seal that covers the black molding and carpet - just pry it up. Then lift the black molding to release it all the way up to the dash area. Then you pull the kick panel molding that the fuse box is behind. Pull that piece firmly towards the back of the car and it will release. Now the fuse box is exposed. Run your mirror wires across the header panel, down the pillar post, and into the area where the fuse box is. It sounds daunting but it is not.

Now some people have simply attached their mirrors to the power lead to the antenna that is located in the header. This is fine to do as long as you know you are tapping into the antenna lead so that you know the power will be switched. However, you run the risk of the mirror causing radio interference. Hopes this helps.

Another example of why even tho you no longer own a Thunderbird, we need you to stay on with us. Your knowledge of the car and your willingness to help is much too valuable to lose. (Beside that you are a friend to many of us and we don't want to lose touch with you.)

[Lonestar]

Re: Digital compass for existing mirror

Another example of why even tho you no longer own a Thunderbird, we need you to stay on with us. Your knowledge of the car and your willingness to help is much too valuable to lose. (Beside that you are a friend to many of us and we don't want to lose touch with you.)

Awh thanks but, there are a lot of folks on here who know the car as well as I do, if not more.

[old bird guru]

Re: Digital compass for existing mirror

thank's lonestar for info. i never heard from david, i just got back on site today and read your message. i greatly appreciate your help. thank's, mick