JimRockford

The lights on my 1990 Camaro rearview mirror don’t work,either when the door is open or when the switches are turned on. Everything else in the car works. Does this mirror have its on separate fuse?

kentuckyKITT

iTrader: (4)

I'm pretty sure the map light mirror is on the same fuse as the dome circuit, but not positive. I have a 90 Formula and one of my mirror lights doesn't work, so I'm thinking bulb. I haven't figured out how to disassemble it yet though. Yours could be both bulbs burned out. I don't know what kind of bulb it takes yet. I'll be tackling this in a week or so, so I'll keep you posted.

deadbird

May be bulbs or, power wire to the mirror (runs behind drivers side trim down the windshield/dash)...

JimRockford

Thanks,let me know once you’ve disassembled yours how it’s done. Tested for power at the connector and it has electricity so I’m thinking it’s bulbs

kentuckyKITT

iTrader: (4)

Haven't had a chance to get to this yet, but will hopefully be doing it this weekend. I have a map light mirror where the glass is not so great, so going to practice on that one so I don't destroy my perfect one in the Formula.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

If I remember I'll post pics... The light assemblies pop out the bottom of the mirror so the bulbs can be replaced.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

As promised... This unfortunate mirror was between a previous owner of the Green Bird and I'm assuming Neon LED Disco greatness, hence the hacked up wiring where said Rocket Surgeon tapped into every single wire trying to find a source of power. But on the upside, it gives us a good candidate to see how the mirror comes apart. I got it this far apart, and cast all the parts into a ziplock until a later date when I might need some of said parts... Anyway, here are some pics of the clips and light modules removed from the mirror.









Note that since this is a Firebird mirror, it has one switch, and an ashtray light. Camaro mirrors have a second switch.

When you look at the mirror, you'll see that the outer side of the light modules have a notch for access to the clips. Since there's an open space between the clips, your tool needs to be as wide as the slot, or you'll miss one or both clips. Carefully pry and tilt that end down, until you can unhook the clip on the opposite side. It has to tilt or rock out, and tilt or rock back in.

Hope that helps!

kentuckyKITT

iTrader: (4)

Awesome! Thanks for the details! That doesn't look too bad at all. I'm still going to master this art on my not so great mirror first!

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

I'm pretty sure my 89 birds have 2 switches on the mirror but my 92s just have one switch and one ashtray light. I know it doesn't add anything important but thought I'd add my .02 anyway.

kentuckyKITT

iTrader: (4)

My 90 Formula has one switch on each light. The ash tray light is under the lower dash trim panel and is on with the park/head lights at all times. My 89 Firebird is the same way.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

Yeah, kinda figures that the earlier Firebirds have the ashtray light in the dash. Some of the 90-92 accessory switch panels have a ashtray light module like the 90-up Camaro. All the 91s I've had and robbed for parts, just have the hole in the panel and the ashtray light in the mirror.

The ashtray light in my 86 T/A (in the switch panel below the gauge cluster) was bright as hell. None of the ashtray lights in the Camaros I've owned were bright enough to even tell they worked. The 91 Firebird mirror housed ashtray light is just about right. It casts a glow on the shifter and ashtray, the radio *****, but it's not really noticeable.

91ragtopTA

What's this ashtray light you guys are on about? I have a '91 and it has the round hole under the switch panel, but no light in there. if there was a light in there wouldn't it shine all over the hvac and audio, or is it like projected toward the ashtray. Also could I ask here did all 3rd gens come with underhood light? mine doesn't have one, no bulb holder mercury switch no wires no clue if it had one from the factory.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

That tiny rectangular hole next to the light, is the window for the ashtray light. You can see the tiny bulb in the other pics of the mirror I posted. As mentioned, it only throws about as much light as you'd have on a clear night from a partial moon. Just enough to kinda pickup on where the ashtray or shifter is located in the dark. It's not needed for the radio, or hvac really because they're already backlit.

The alternate ashtray light that goes in the bottom of the switch panel is GM #12092725. Which is a sealed light/housing with a couple inches of wire and a connector and the housing is designed to snap into the panel with a 1/4 turn. The Pontiac version used a red lens, 90-up Camaros used the same type light with a yellow lens under the center dash vents.

Re: The underhood light... It was part of the auxiliary lighting package on the Camaro. Firebirds lack the mounting holes in the hood, and I've never seen one in a Firebird. Plenty of Camaros lack the underhood light too. It's rather worthless anyway since it's either too bright, or not bright enough, and never just right to be useful. Truly a feature for the "Wow, what's that!" effect on car shoppers.

91ragtopTA

Thanks Drew for clearing this up for me, as soon as I seen your post I went outside to the garage to see if I had a little black rectangle under the mirror.... and I do! and it lights up when the main lights are switched on! but its sooooooo dim no wonder I've not spotted it before. And also thanks for that part No, I'll be using it to trawl for a red ashtray light online, lots of modern cars have a bit of red mood lighting here and there and a discreet red glow over the ashtray seems a nice idea.

JimRockford

Drew,I just wanted to say thanks for the tip about the slots underneath. Both bulbs were burned out. I replaced them with new 192 bulbs and it works great now. Sorry it took so long to reply.