Hi all,
I wanted the side folding mirrors on my IX35 Highlander to automatically close when the ignition was turned OFF and to work normally when in the ACC or ON position. Yes, you can get various kits on ebay etc. that do automatically close the mirrors but only when the car is locked.
I wanted them the close when the ignition was OFF. For example when I park my car in the garage each night as it makes access more readily and I don’t lock the vehicle when in a locked garage.
Enter my mod. Now before we get started let me make this perfectly clear:-
I ACCEPT NO RESPONSIBILITY WHATSOEVER FOR ANYTHING AT ALL THAT MIGHT GO WRONG.
So let’s get started with the instructions.
First it is highly recommend you disconnect the battery before you start doing ANYTHING.
Next you will need to remove the driver’s side door trim. It comes off very easily and only requires the removal of a few screws. A copy of how to remove it from the manual can be found at the following link.
https://googledrive.com/host/0B6CgtF...move_trim.html
What happens in opening and closing the mirrors is just the reversing of the polarity of the DC Motor that controls the folding of the mirrors. So what needs to happen is a relay needs to be installed that when inactivated (ignition OFF) places the polarity in the closed position and when it’s activated (ACC or ON position) the open/close switch works normally. More on that later.
First you need to purchase a small DPDT 12VDC relay with a current rating of 3-5 Amps DC and some wire. I used a Jaycar relay P/N SY4052. I used 18 AWG wire as it was what I had but you need to use wire that’s at least the same gauge as the wire going to the plug. A picture of the relay wired up is below.
![]()
To wire up the relay you need to cut the wires going to pins 2 & 3 of the switch assy. and connect the 4 wires to the relay. There are then 3 other wires that you will need to connect from the relay to the switch assy. I just sliced the 3 wires into the existing wires without cutting them. Here is a picture of the connector with the pin numbering to help you.
![]()
Here’s a complete pin out of the plug from the service manual.
![]()
And here’s the schematic to show you how to wire the relay. The relay is shown in the inactivated position. ie. No power to the relay coil.
![]()
The wired relay should be placed into a small box of some sort. I used a pill box that fitted the relay just right.
![]()
Here’s the finished product.
![]()
I hope you find this information useful.
![]()
I wanted the side folding mirrors on my IX35 Highlander to automatically close when the ignition was turned OFF and to work normally when in the ACC or ON position. Yes, you can get various kits on ebay etc. that do automatically close the mirrors but only when the car is locked.
I wanted them the close when the ignition was OFF. For example when I park my car in the garage each night as it makes access more readily and I don’t lock the vehicle when in a locked garage.
Enter my mod. Now before we get started let me make this perfectly clear:-
I ACCEPT NO RESPONSIBILITY WHATSOEVER FOR ANYTHING AT ALL THAT MIGHT GO WRONG.
So let’s get started with the instructions.
First it is highly recommend you disconnect the battery before you start doing ANYTHING.
Next you will need to remove the driver’s side door trim. It comes off very easily and only requires the removal of a few screws. A copy of how to remove it from the manual can be found at the following link.
https://googledrive.com/host/0B6CgtF...move_trim.html
What happens in opening and closing the mirrors is just the reversing of the polarity of the DC Motor that controls the folding of the mirrors. So what needs to happen is a relay needs to be installed that when inactivated (ignition OFF) places the polarity in the closed position and when it’s activated (ACC or ON position) the open/close switch works normally. More on that later.
First you need to purchase a small DPDT 12VDC relay with a current rating of 3-5 Amps DC and some wire. I used a Jaycar relay P/N SY4052. I used 18 AWG wire as it was what I had but you need to use wire that’s at least the same gauge as the wire going to the plug. A picture of the relay wired up is below.
To wire up the relay you need to cut the wires going to pins 2 & 3 of the switch assy. and connect the 4 wires to the relay. There are then 3 other wires that you will need to connect from the relay to the switch assy. I just sliced the 3 wires into the existing wires without cutting them. Here is a picture of the connector with the pin numbering to help you.
Here’s a complete pin out of the plug from the service manual.
And here’s the schematic to show you how to wire the relay. The relay is shown in the inactivated position. ie. No power to the relay coil.
The wired relay should be placed into a small box of some sort. I used a pill box that fitted the relay just right.
Here’s the finished product.
I hope you find this information useful.
