Framed autodimming rearview mirror to frameless

[cz5gt]

Seems 2022 and newer CX5s have the same connector type (the one behind the cover) as the Mazda accessory frameless mirror connector. So connectors match. Which makes it very easy to install the frameless mirror without any wire splicing as the instructions for earlier models.

The only problem is the pin positions (wires) on the car connector are not matching. I was able to de-pin the pins on the car connector and re-pin (move) them to match to the right positions of the frameless mirror connector.
The 12v ignition (ign), ground (-) and 12v constant from Battery (bat). There is also a brown cable (reverse gear) but that is not used in the frameless miror.
The then makes it a direct plug and play.
That is for the frameless oem mirror accessory that Mazda sells.

Black is ground, Violet is 12v ignition, blue is contant 12 from battery. This is where they need to be moved. I used a sim card pin to take the actual connector pins out of the connector.
This is from 2022 turbo that comes with the framed homelink auto dimming mirror.
The Mazda oem frameless mirror is much nicer and that lack of frame to me gives more visibility through the windshield. Good upgrade.

 

[PNW_CX-5]

Is the frameless version the same overall dimensions? I was curious if the footprint was smaller for a bit better visibility.

 

[cz5gt]

Yes. It doesnt have a frame so the overall dimension is smaller. It does offer better visibility out through the windshield and looks more upscale.

 

[NikoB]

@cz5gt Stumbled upon this forum, because I purchased the OEM frameless mirror to swap out the bulky homelike one on my 2025 turbo premium . I’ve tried de-pinning mine but I’ve had no luck… also never tried de-pinning before so I’m sure that has something to do with lol. I’ve searched online on how to for this specific type with no luck, even bought some de-pinning tools but still can’t get the wires out. Any tips on how you were able to do yours?

 

[zerg336]

Funny thing – I just picked up a frameless mirror from a ’21 CX-9 Signature.
My car’s a ’19 CX-9 GT.

Checked the wiring against the schematics – frameless and framed didn’t match.
Checked the wiring harness part numbers for GT and Signature – same number.

So I figured, if the Signature and GT share the same harness, then the mirror pins should line up. Why not just try it? Plugged the frameless one into my ’19 and… guess what? Works fine.


For reference:

My ’19 has a 10-pin plug with 4 wires
The frameless one has a 10-pin plug with 6 wires

I still don’t know what the extra 2 wires are for, but everything works as expected.


All I can say is: just plug it in and test.

 

[NikoB]

When I first got it that’s what I did, sadly it didn’t work and that’s when I started searching online and found this nice forum. I’ve watched videos on how to depin but they are all on bigger ones, this pin is tiny and I’ve tried everything without breaking it.

 

[cz5gt]

on the CX5 they dont match.

NikoB - I did it some time ago and recall it was very tricky. Doable but requires lots of patience and few attempts. Need the smallest possible depin tool.

ps - make sure the car battery is disconnected as one of the wires is always live.

ps2 - there is a seller on ebay (back when I searched 2 yrs ago) who sells a matching plug and play connector. I didnt want to go that route because I didnt want too many cables/parts stuck in the small space behind the cover.

 

[NikoB]

on the CX5 they dont match.

NikoB - I did it some time ago and recall it was very tricky. Doable but requires lots of patience and few attempts. Need the smallest possible depin tool.

ps - make sure the car battery is disconnected as one of the wires is always live.

ps2 - there is a seller on ebay (back when I searched 2 yrs ago) who sells a matching plug and play connector. I didnt want to go that route because I didnt want too many cables/parts stuck in the small space behind the cover.

Appreciate you! I guess I’ll need some hours blocked off to focus on it. As a worst case scenario would you happen to recall the eBay seller how sells the adapter?

 

[cz5gt]

I will look into some old threads and send it over if I find it.

For the de-pin part - be careful and it would work. Watch few videos as well. Search into the mazda miata forum - they got a thread on that too.

 

[NikoB]

I will look into some old threads and send it over if I find it.

For the de-pin part - be careful and it would work. Watch few videos as well. Search into the mazda miata forum - they got a thread on that too.

Thank you!

 

[mlblack16]

It just arrived, and I installed it in around 10 minutes.
View attachment 314642
View attachment 314643

I got a mirror that had the same connector as the framed auto-dimming mirror, so I didn't need to do any splicing. I ordered it from a seller on eBay (one of the more popular ones when it comes to car mirrors).
If you decide to do something like this, be very careful when removing the connector of your old mirror. It sits on a piece of plastic that keeps it in place, and it does its job so well that it's borderline impossible to remove. I ended up breaking a piece of that mount and used a little bit of double-sided tape to keep it in place instead so it won't make noise.

Steps:
1) Remove the plastic cover around the mirror. There is a small opening on the further side from the mirror, I inserted a screwdriver (covered with cloth) and rotated it slightly. Then you pull from both sides while moving them up and down very slightly.
2) Underneath the cover, you'll see there is another connector. One side comes from the mirror, the other side comes from the A-pillar. Due to its design, the connector that comes from the mirror stays in place and you detach the other cable.
3) Detach the cable that comes from the mirror from its mount. I don't know how to do this without breaking the mount. (I didn't intentionally break it) I tried to remove the broken part of the mount that got stuck in the connector, and I couldn't do it without using 2 pairs of pliers at the same time and breaking the stuck piece in 4 pieces. There has to be a way, but I couldn't figure it out.
4) Unscrew the mirror from its mount. You need a T20 bit. Try to feel how tight the screw was. Once unscrewed, move the mirror up and it should come out really easily. You need to follow the same steps in reverse to mount the new mirror. While screwing, try to make it as tight as the previously installed mirror was. (15 lb-in, but I had no way of measuring that)
5) If you managed to remove the old adapter without breaking the mount, you can remount the adapter. If not, connect the adapters and use double-sided tape (or regular tape will work too)
6) Reinstall the plastic cover. I found that mounting the right side first, followed by the left side works well.

Hoping you will see this message. I'm wondering if the Homelink physical buttons have any backlighting?

The thing that I absolutely despise with the current framed auto dimming mirror w/Homelink is the buttons are smooth and flush with the frame. At night, it's difficult to tell where the button is to open the garage door when pulling in.

My previous SUV (Lexus NX 200t F sport) had backlighting to the white home icons and it was very subtle so it's not like it was any issue while driving at night.

 

[Nessmuk]

Can the mirror be removed and a totally different, non mazda mirror be used? Does the car electronics even know what is installed?