1981 vanity mirror questions
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 7
Likes: 2
1981 vanity mirror questions
wont light up. i popped the light lens and saw a bulb , but it doesnt look like its burnt out. it does however look hard as heck to get out. is that bulb removeable? of so , whats the technique? the switch plunger operates smoothly. could it be a fuse? i cant find the fuse circuit in the shop manual. any help is appreciated. these little details bug me... i know i will have the wife go to use it and if it doesnt light up it will annoy me !
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,683
Likes: 3,137
From: Shamong, NJ
I don't believe the vanity mirror is on it's own circuit, or has it's own fuse, so I doubt your problem is fuse related. I'm travelling, so I don't have access to my 81 Shop Manual to confirm this.
The vanity mirror lights stopped working on my 81 back in the 80's. I traced the problem back to the switch in mine, and ordered a new mirror assembly from Chevrolet (the switch was not available separately). By then, black was the only color GM stocked, and since my car has a Slate Gray interior, I removed the switch from the new mirror, and installed it in my old one. The switch only lasted a few years, and by then GM had discontinued the mirror, and the repro's hadn't come out yet. After trying 2 or 3 used mirrors, I finally found one with a good switch, and installed it in my mirror. I don't know if the light's still working or not, my 81 hasn't been run much in years.
The vanity mirror lights stopped working on my 81 back in the 80's. I traced the problem back to the switch in mine, and ordered a new mirror assembly from Chevrolet (the switch was not available separately). By then, black was the only color GM stocked, and since my car has a Slate Gray interior, I removed the switch from the new mirror, and installed it in my old one. The switch only lasted a few years, and by then GM had discontinued the mirror, and the repro's hadn't come out yet. After trying 2 or 3 used mirrors, I finally found one with a good switch, and installed it in my mirror. I don't know if the light's still working or not, my 81 hasn't been run much in years.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,502
Likes: 1,509
From: Little Rock AR
They never work for long. I just replaced my passenger visor with a plain one and forget about it.
The 20A CTSY courtesy lamp fuse should be the one in the lower middle of the fuse panel if I remember right.
The 20A CTSY courtesy lamp fuse should be the one in the lower middle of the fuse panel if I remember right.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 7
Likes: 2
thanks , my courtesy lights work , my glove box light was shattered.. i have a new one coming. do you think the mirror was daisy chained in the glove box circuit? like christmas lights? also , how does that mirror come off the visor or open up to see its guts? do you have to split the casing to access screws? i dont want to start prying in the wrong place... its a silver mirror in good shape and i wouldnt be able to replace it , so worst case it would have to stay there un lit
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,502
Likes: 1,509
From: Little Rock AR
Not daisy chained. Should be hot all the time. Check for 12V at the switch or bulb contacts when flap is open. The mirror harness plug is behind the glove box insert, next to the glove box lamp. I have some (red) pieces if you break the glass. Everything is held into the visor with 2 push-in plastic pins attached to the glass frame with 2 round plastic retainers in the visor. Zip has everything.
