I love my 2017 Volt LT...One of the best cars I have ever owned! However the base LT model does not have an auto dimming mirror or homelink capability. I have seen some other posts about installing an aftermarket Gentex mirror with both of those capabilities on a Premier or LTZ, but not on a LT. I did not want to tap into the overhead console, plus I wanted to add a power tap for my radar detector, so here is a tutorial on how i did the install by adding fuse taps to the fuse box. I hope it helps someone out there who wants to do the same thing.
Step 1: Buy an aftermarket mirror from Ebay...I chose a Gentex 536 mirror with Homelink and Auto Dimming. I found one on ebay with a wiring harness included for 79.00
Step 2: Supplies. You will need to buy 2 ATR (micro2) fuse taps and a pack of 10 amp ATR fuses. I bought them at Autozone.
You will need to put two 10amp fuses in each of the ATR fuse taps. You will need to do this since you will be populating currently empty fuse positions in the fuse panel.
If you are going to add a hardwired Radar detector tap, you will need to order a similar power cord as this...I bought this one on amazon for 12.99 for my Uniden radar detector (I believe it will work for Escort too.)
You will need a flashlight, wire stripper, pliers, screwdriver with a #20 Torx bit, and a plastic trim tool.
Step 3: Remove the factory mirror by removing the plastic cover pieces. The large cover very easily pops off with very little pressure..I used a plastic trim tool to pop it off...fingers should do fine as well.
NOTE: I did not tap into the Overhead console/OnStar wiring harness.
You will need to snap out the inner plastic piece to remove it from the mirror.
Once you have the covers off, you can remove the factory mirror with a #20 Torx bit
Step 4: Once the factory mirror is removed, you can begin the install of the new Homelink mirror.
Attach the wiring harness plug to the mirror (I bought a mirror that included the wiring harness and plug)
If you are going to add the radar detector power, this is where you will want to insert the two wire prongs into the plug. You will want to insert the black wire prong into the black wire connection on the plug. The red wire will need to be inserted where the yellow (ACC) wire connection is on the plug. It is important to install the red wire to the yellow connection on the plug so it will turn the detector off when the car is off...
Attach the Homelink mirror to the mount and then Connect the plug to the mirror.
Step 5: Run the wire from the mirror across the headliner, down the A-Pillar and across into the fuse panel below the steering wheel. It should be very easy to tuck the wire into the headliner and along the trim in the door opening. I did use a trim tool to help make it a little easier.
Step 6: Connect wires and plug in the fuse taps
First you will need to find a spot for the ground wire...I was able to locate a metal brace inside the fuse panel that already had a hole drilled in it...I just used a small screw and nut and attached the ground wire.
Next, attach the red (12V constant) and yellow (Acc) wires to the fuse taps.
Here are the open locations in the fuse box to insert each tap: 12V constant = Location F6, 12V ACC = Location F37
12V Constant
12V ACC
Step 7: Test your connections....If good, close up the fuse panel and snap the plastic covers back above the mirror.
Step 8: If you are attaching your radar detector with the hardwired connection make sure the plug is routed the way you want out the back or side of the cover...then you can attach your radar detector with the mount of your choice...I have not decided on a mount yet, so for now I am just using the suction cup mount it came with...
Enjoy your install!!
I hope this tutorial will help in installing your own Homelink mirror..especially if you have a Volt LT like me!
Please feel free to PM me or ask any questions here...I will be glad to help any way I can.
Thanks,
-M