What Did You Do To Your HHR Today?
05-01-2017, 09:01 PM
Finally bit the bullet to see if the tailgate camera that came with the car was functional... after scouring the net to find a wiring diagram, bc the PO had cut off the connector, I finally found one that seemed to match... on a Toyota forum, no less! And yeah, I am pretty sure this wasn't an OEM camera. But who really knows?
In any event, I was skeptical that the thing would even work. Especially since the mirror I planned to hook it up to was an onstar mirror and my rig has both onstar and siriusxm deleted (fleet vehicle). And I couldn't find any info on dependencies.
Long story, short? It amazingly worked first pass. Which is a first among all the HHR mods/repairs I've done so far. The only thing is/was, like the idiot I can sometimes be, I forgot to run the wire behind the rear column into the taillight well! So I had to disconnect, run it, and rewire. Oh well, it was what it was. lol
The upside is, it took maybe 5 mins, total, and it works like a charm! And having the backup display makes a huge difference! Totally love it!
Btw, this is set up to be triggered by the reverse signal. After some research, it appears these cameras are not designed to be "always on" (over heating issues). Unlike LED displays which have much lower power requirements, I suspect an always on state could cause problems with the mirror's LCD as well. Again, primarily due to over heating. So I'm leaving well enough alone.
But, I digress.
Next up is to wire up right/left & front camera triggered switching system. But that is a ways out, as the parts for that DIY project are coming from China.
In any event, I was skeptical that the thing would even work. Especially since the mirror I planned to hook it up to was an onstar mirror and my rig has both onstar and siriusxm deleted (fleet vehicle). And I couldn't find any info on dependencies.
Long story, short? It amazingly worked first pass. Which is a first among all the HHR mods/repairs I've done so far. The only thing is/was, like the idiot I can sometimes be, I forgot to run the wire behind the rear column into the taillight well! So I had to disconnect, run it, and rewire. Oh well, it was what it was. lol
The upside is, it took maybe 5 mins, total, and it works like a charm! And having the backup display makes a huge difference! Totally love it!
Btw, this is set up to be triggered by the reverse signal. After some research, it appears these cameras are not designed to be "always on" (over heating issues). Unlike LED displays which have much lower power requirements, I suspect an always on state could cause problems with the mirror's LCD as well. Again, primarily due to over heating. So I'm leaving well enough alone.
But, I digress.
Next up is to wire up right/left & front camera triggered switching system. But that is a ways out, as the parts for that DIY project are coming from China.
05-02-2017, 06:24 AM
Administrator
Join Date: 10-13-2011
Location: Welland,Ont Canada
Posts: 36,460
I was missing my passenger side wiper, went out to Virgil , Ontario, purchased a new wiper transmission, had to move Sweetie 's GT out of the garage into the rain. I swapped out the piece , and have both wipers functioning!
Today it's checkup day for Sweetie, so we're headed up to Hamilton to see her Oncologist.
Today it's checkup day for Sweetie, so we're headed up to Hamilton to see her Oncologist.
05-02-2017, 11:41 PM
Running Boards from gold 2008 salvaged HHR ($50), painted and installed. Still need to install pads but wanted to touch up the paint and let it dry really good, first.
Last edited by Psicloned; 05-03-2017 at 12:43 AM. Reason: Modified pic to remove other's identifying info