Outside mirror fix without cutting wires?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 43
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Outside mirror fix without cutting wires?
I have free swinging outside mirrors that I want to repair without cutting the wires going into the mirror. I read somewhere that this can be done. Has anyone done this repair, as instructed in the "how to" section, but did not cut and re-splice the wires? Can anyone give me some information on this? Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
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From: Longview Texas
I have not tried to look in the service manual, but it seems there must be a way to remove the mirror without cutting the wires. If there is a connector, you should be able to remove the wires from the connector and re-insert them after you repair the mirror.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
Yes, the Service Manual method cuts no wires, but you have to remove the inner door panel to get to the connector. So, two ways to do it ...
1) Quick and dirty .... pull the mirror face, pull the motor, cut wires, crimp on new motor to wires, reinstall motor and mirror face.
2) Factory way (and note you probably should check if you get an aftermarket motor part they often don't come with the GM connectors ... or get the "Genuine GM" part) which means pulling the inner door panel to reach the connector, then pull and replace motor after feeding new connector into door, and after reconnecting the wiring re-assembling the inner door panel.
1) Quick and dirty .... pull the mirror face, pull the motor, cut wires, crimp on new motor to wires, reinstall motor and mirror face.
2) Factory way (and note you probably should check if you get an aftermarket motor part they often don't come with the GM connectors ... or get the "Genuine GM" part) which means pulling the inner door panel to reach the connector, then pull and replace motor after feeding new connector into door, and after reconnecting the wiring re-assembling the inner door panel.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,401
Likes: 1,141
From: Dyer, IN
Yes, the Service Manual method cuts no wires, but you have to remove the inner door panel to get to the connector. So, two ways to do it ...
1) Quick and dirty .... pull the mirror face, pull the motor, cut wires, crimp on new motor to wires, reinstall motor and mirror face.
2) Factory way (and note you probably should check if you get an aftermarket motor part they often don't come with the GM connectors ... or get the "Genuine GM" part) which means pulling the inner door panel to reach the connector, then pull and replace motor after feeding new connector into door, and after reconnecting the wiring re-assembling the inner door panel
1) Quick and dirty .... pull the mirror face, pull the motor, cut wires, crimp on new motor to wires, reinstall motor and mirror face.
2) Factory way (and note you probably should check if you get an aftermarket motor part they often don't come with the GM connectors ... or get the "Genuine GM" part) which means pulling the inner door panel to reach the connector, then pull and replace motor after feeding new connector into door, and after reconnecting the wiring re-assembling the inner door panel
At least with #2. There is no need to cut the wires at all. No sense in hacking up your baby if you don't have to. While the door panel method is more time consuming, it's the best way to do it.Additionally, if you just happened to get a bad motor from the factory, you can't take it back, because you have destroyed the wiring using method #1.
Last edited by lucky131969; Nov 7, 2007 at 09:31 AM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2005
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I am not sure everyone knows what I am doing. I am not replacing the motor. I am fixing the the "free swinging" problem resulting from the deterioration of the metal post on which it swings. There is a "how to" posted on this. I think 4DRUSH knows what I am doing. Is he absolutely correct? Has anyone done this fix without cutting wires? I have a factory manual and I am removing the mirror according to that procedure. 4DRUSH, I live in Akron, OH. Thanks for your responses.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,370
Likes: 8
From: Slave to the evil empire
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04
In order to disassemble the mirror you either need to cut the wires or disassemble the connector that plugs into the door harness, I just painted a couple of new mirrors and I found that it was to much trouble disassembling the connectors and masked everything off.
You'll see once you have the mirror in your hand, but the opening that the harness passes thru is less than 1/2" in diameter and there are about 6 or 7 wires feeding thru (my mirrors were heated so they have extra wires).
You'll see once you have the mirror in your hand, but the opening that the harness passes thru is less than 1/2" in diameter and there are about 6 or 7 wires feeding thru (my mirrors were heated so they have extra wires).
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
I am not sure everyone knows what I am doing. I am not replacing the motor. I am fixing the the "free swinging" problem resulting from the deterioration of the metal post on which it swings. There is a "how to" posted on this. I think 4DRUSH knows what I am doing. Is he absolutely correct? Has anyone done this fix without cutting wires? I have a factory manual and I am removing the mirror according to that procedure. 4DRUSH, I live in Akron, OH. Thanks for your responses.
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Denver Colorado
outside mirror repair
I just completed doing the repair Artic is referring to. There is a good post in the new "ultimate DIY threads from Jocem complete with pictures. It is necessary to cut the wires to perform this procedure. Not a problem if you don't cut too close to the motor. Just strip, slip on some shrink tubing, solder and heat the tubing. Wires are color coded. Also, before you drill a hole in the post, put the mirror parts together and mark so your hole will be in the right place in final assembly so the pin can be inserted easily.
Sorry: I was using a different procedure than the one by 97 vette. I replaced the jam nut that retains the spring with a pin through a hole I drilled in the post. I also used safety wire to keep the spring compressed during assembly. I compressed the spring in a vise to wrap the safety wire. I wrapped the safety wire in 3 places around the spring. After final assembly I cut the safety wire and pulled it out with long nose pliers.
Sorry: I was using a different procedure than the one by 97 vette. I replaced the jam nut that retains the spring with a pin through a hole I drilled in the post. I also used safety wire to keep the spring compressed during assembly. I compressed the spring in a vise to wrap the safety wire. I wrapped the safety wire in 3 places around the spring. After final assembly I cut the safety wire and pulled it out with long nose pliers.
Last edited by trappers10; Nov 7, 2007 at 02:22 PM. Reason: incomplete
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: elizabeth city nc
yes
To remove the mirror from your car no you dont have to cut the wires, to fix the problem you have with your mirrors yes you have to cut the wires. I just did this fix to my vette not 2 weeks ago. Somewhere on this forum there is a step by step procedure to do it that has pictures and everything. It was extremely agrivating to do this repair. There is someone on this forum who will fix your mirror for 80 dollars or something like that if you want to go that route. Instead of reusing that cheap clip that came loose in the first place, i used a small piece of pipe, threaded it on both ends used bolts and washers to secure the spring and re ran the wires up through the pipe. You will have to remove the mirror from the car to do this. I think it took me around three hours to do this from start to finish. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 8,629
Likes: 16
From: York PA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 8,629
Likes: 16
From: York PA
I slide shrink wrap tubing on the wire, than soldier the wire back together, slide the shrink tubing over the splice and apply heat.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,094
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From: Stillwater Oklahoma
no, do not cut the wires. It is a simple and easy thing to remove the contacts from the connectors. I uses these delphi connectors every day at work and i would much rather remove the contact than add a solder joint in a part that moves. If you need help pm me your phone number and i will call you and talk you through it. All you need is a flat piece of metal (staple) and a pair of needle nose pliers.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2005
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Thanks guys for all of your input. I now have one mirror off the car and disassembled. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO CUT THE WIRES!!!!!!!! Disassembling the connectors is not that hard to do. Italian33 is right. This do it yourself procedure should be modified to include instructions on how to disassemble the connectors.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Slave to the evil empire
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St. Jude Donor '04
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Silver Spring MD
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