power mirrors
 

id like to add some to mine.what cars did they come on?

Re: power mirrors
 

There are more than 1 type of Power Mirrors. There was a type used from 82-84 ( or 85?) with a WHITE plug and a style used from 86(?) + up that had a black plug. The plugs are different, and so is the factory harness.

The power option harness (doors/mirror/locks) changed again in 89 so your best chance of finding a harness and power mirrors that are plug-&-play for your ride is to get parts from a 89+. There wasn't a specific car type so if you are looking thru bone-yards you will simply have to stick your head into all the ThirdGens to see if any were equipped with power mirrors.


:driving:

Re: power mirrors
 

thanks.will my car have any of the wiring or do i need the wiring too?

Re: power mirrors
 

You shouldn't have the power mirror harness in the car already. ( runs from power under the dash to the inside of both doors. ) If you've got power windows or power locks than the your existing option harness wiring is most likely just for those options. ( missing the P/Mirror )

You will already have power "taps" under the dash for the power option harness to plug into. Just go with an 89+ harness and Power mirrors & you should be good-to-go !


P.S. Camaro and Firebird Power Mirror wiring is different due to the mounting location of the button ! (Camaro = Door, Firebird = Console) Works the same, just different length !


:driving:

Re: power mirrors
 

Word of caution:
Power mirror motors and switches are very low quality and almost unrepairable. Test them before you pay any real money for them. The real problem is the switch, it even worse than window switches and it's in a spot where stuff gets dropped on it. I pulled a lot of third gens and only found one fully functional switch.

Just noticed John said the Camaro switch is on the door, they might be more likely to be undamaged.

Re: power mirrors
 

I remember buying the power mirror switch for $7.00 about 11 years ago... I should have bought a dozen or so.

Re: power mirrors
 

On a car like the Camaro, why would you go through the hassle of installing power mirrors? Once set, they don't need to be moved very much at all. My first Camaro was a 1983 Z28 with manual windows, locks and mirrors. It's not that far to reach over and unlock the door. Getting the mirror set correctly the first time does take some time, but when set, it shouldn't move. Sounds like a lot of work and hassle for a simple upgrade.

Re: power mirrors
 

If you drive a low car at night on an unlit, crowded two lane road like I do, it's nice to be able to dip your mirrors to keep the lights from the truck behind you shining right in your eyes. Also nice when you have multiple drivers.

Re: power mirrors
 

I have actually installed power mirrors into a car, the wire (in a firebird) goes through the loom just below the windshield. There is a plug on the drivers side (behind the LH kick panel) for power that it will plug into.

The first one When I pulled the wire I was able to simply cut one end, and pull on the wire, it will pull through. (in an 85 or 86), the wire had its own tape. The second one (from a later car) it pulled really hard, and the wires were sticky when I got done, I suspect it was actually wrapped with other items that run through the loom.

At any rate, it is not too bad of a job, it takes time to do it "right" but a nice addition IMHO.

John

Re: power mirrors
 

I can agree with Scottmoyer that they are not really needed in our cars but i had all the parts and just wanted to have the option, so it's kind of a why not thing for me.

the only thing different for a camaro is the switch is located on the door and not the center console.
here is a link to my video if you want to see everthing that is involved.

Re: power mirrors
 

nice video.thanks.

Re: power mirrors
 

Was same harness used for all models? I installed a right power mirror in my 1991 RS, and the harness for a power mirror was already in the left door, as I had power locks. Might be worth a look to see whether the harness is already in there.

Re: power mirrors
 

I didn't find it that difficult to intstall the power mirrors into my car. It was pretty much plug and play. Routing wires was a bit of a pain but other than that i'm glad I put them on. Although I will agree that the switch is a piece of crap and I had to get a new one which I was lucky to find a while back.

Re: power mirrors
 

The firebirds don't have the harness from dash to door, but the ones I've parted all had the switch harness under the console.

Re: power mirrors
 

I got a set of power heated mirrors from a 90 vette if you want them 20 plus shipping. Not sure how you could hook the heaters up though but they worked fine.

Re: power mirrors
 

Do any of the restoration places have them?

Re: power mirrors
 

I would think the heated wires would connect to the defroster wire somehow. Whether or not it needed a different fuse, or a resistor to reduce the voltage I do not know...

John