Anyone done this, installed power mirrors into a car that does not have them?
Can you just swap the mirror internals or do you need to swap the complete mirror? Wiring is something else but not a major problem, find feed, install console control, hook it up.
I did it on my coupe, and I built my own wiring harness including the relays...it's not that hard, and I found it easier than removing the dash to install the harness. One of the mirrors you can just switch the internals, but the other one you cannot. And I can never remember which one.
Best to just watch eBay and buy the mirrors. Don't wait for a "kit" because they will be too expensive, just buy the mirrors and do it yourself.
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10:04 AM
Formula88 Member
Posts: 53788 From: Raleigh NC Registered: Jan 2001
You'll need to change your door panel when you remove the manual mirror control, and of course, add the power controls to the center console.
On my 99 Grand Am, it uses a small joystick to control both mirrors (you rotate the stick right or left to select which window to control). I was thinking that might be a good way to add power mirrors to a manual mirror car and put the control in the same place as the original manual control cable.
It may be easier to swap the entire mirror assembly rather than try to transplant guts from one to the other.
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10:09 AM
jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
You are going to have to take the mirrors off either way to install the wiring. The only advantage to re-using the shells is if yours are painted body color or have a much nicer finish than the power mirrors that you just bought.
I've done mine, too. I swapped the mirrors and installed the factory harness, then rewired it to put the controls on the drivers side door panel, using the firebird controls. Piece of cake...
Bob
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12:42 PM
May 18th, 2007
fieromadman Member
Posts: 2217 From: Oconomowoc WI, USA Registered: Jan 2003
I'm still trying to make my mind up on the one I was asking this question about. Looks ok but just not as nice as my old notchie (will anything be that nice again) but there's another round here I am interested in if I can just get the guy to call me, been emailing him for over a week, gave up. My wife emails him and gets a reply but no phone number or contact info so we are playing email tag right now. Frustrating...
Wife says no more engine swaps (unless 'I' pay for it) but you know, never say never ......
I added power mirrors to my 84, you cannot swap the internals between the passenger mirrors. I didn't check the driver's side since I already had a Fiero power mirror for it. Speaking of which, Camaro mirrors may LOOK similar, but they aren't the same. Also, make sure you get the correct parts for what year you're working on. 84 and 85 had white/clear connectors, 86-88 had black connectors.
I added power mirrors to my 84, you cannot swap the internals between the passenger mirrors. I didn't check the driver's side since I already had a Fiero power mirror for it. Speaking of which, Camaro mirrors may LOOK similar, but they aren't the same. Also, make sure you get the correct parts for what year you're working on. 84 and 85 had white/clear connectors, 86-88 had black connectors.
Interesting. I am starting to swap a set of 86+ mirrors into my 85 coupe and from what I have been looking at the pass. side power mirror guts look like they will go right into my non-power shell. The mounting points line up perfectly and there doesn't look to be anything else to stop them from going in?
Somebody (I can't remember who I bought this one from) sold me a buggered right power mirror housing - the factory studs were removed and huge assed self tapping screws driven into the mirror from the door side to hold it on I was hoping to use a non-power housing to swap the guts in rather than trying to track down another housing. Unfortunately I stripped out one of the screw heads so my non-power housing may be junk as well. D'oh! If the housing does fit - I'll use the one off the 84 parts car I just bought.
ltlfrari, I have run the in-car stuff already and other than the hassle of taking the dash out it's a simple job - I would think it rather mind numbing for a fellow who swapped a 3.4DOHC into his car. Good luck with it!
Andrew
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10:43 AM
Whuffo Member
Posts: 3000 From: San Jose, CA Registered: Jul 2003
I added power mirrors to my 84, you cannot swap the internals between the passenger mirrors. I didn't check the driver's side since I already had a Fiero power mirror for it. Speaking of which, Camaro mirrors may LOOK similar, but they aren't the same. Also, make sure you get the correct parts for what year you're working on. 84 and 85 had white/clear connectors, 86-88 had black connectors.
As noted, 84-86 Fieros have a different power mirror than 87-88 cars. It's not just the plug, the internals of the mirror assembly are quite different.
But you can use the "wrong" mirror if you change the plug on the mirror. Just cut the plug off of the old mirror and new mirror, then connect the old plug to the new mirror. Just match up the wire colors; they're kinda light pastel on the newer design but still the same.
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01:51 PM
Apr 21st, 2008
RCW Member
Posts: 190 From: Tacoma, WA, USA Registered: Apr 2008
I wanted to put power mirrors on my 86 GT for awhile now. I found a set of mirrors on EBay complete with harness and switch. The problem is I made a custom center console with cup holder and does not really have room for the switch and I really do not like the factory switch. Was at the u-pullit yard and found a switch from a 1985 Cadillac Deville. It goes right into the factory manual mirror control and is held in place with a set screw just like the factory did it. It appears this switch was used on several GM cars of this vintage.
Here are some pictures of all this.
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09:10 PM
Eau_Rouge Member
Posts: 208 From: Ontario, Canada Registered: Jan 2007
I wanted to put power mirrors on my 86 GT for awhile now. I found a set of mirrors on EBay complete with harness and switch. The problem is I made a custom center console with cup holder and does not really have room for the switch and I really do not like the factory switch. Was at the u-pullit yard and found a switch from a 1985 Cadillac Deville. It goes right into the factory manual mirror control and is held in place with a set screw just like the factory did it. It appears this switch was used on several GM cars of this vintage.
Here are some pictures of all this.
If you could do a detailed write up of your modification/installation, that would be great. I'm trying to do the same - need all the help I can get!
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09:32 PM
RCW Member
Posts: 190 From: Tacoma, WA, USA Registered: Apr 2008
I have not put everything together yet as I am replaceing the dew wipes and door skin. Probably will not get mutch done until next weekend.
It is pretty simple if you already have manual mirrors. The control for the manual mirrors is held into the housing with a set screw on the window side. Remove the screw and the control wires slide out the back. Push the new electrical control in from the back aligning the flat on the switch with the notch in the housing and tighten the set screw.
The wiring colors are a little different. I will post a diagram when I install it next weekend. Still pretty straight foreward though.
Not to get to far off topic but here is a picture of the center console I made. The back of the cup holder is not seated as I am working on the window switch relocation.
Window switches go here
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09:52 PM
Jul 16th, 2008
Eau_Rouge Member
Posts: 208 From: Ontario, Canada Registered: Jan 2007
Just finished them last weekend. I had to go to the back of the fuse panel for power. There is a block on the left side panel behind the dash just above the fuse panel. There is plenty of fused and non fused plugs but have to find the correct connector to fit. The mirrors work perfectly without any relays. I had to use the wiring diagram for the Caddy and build a harness but it works great. It took longer to find the wiring schematic for the caddy than to do the work. Ha Ha Ha.
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11:01 PM
Jul 17th, 2008
RCW Member
Posts: 190 From: Tacoma, WA, USA Registered: Apr 2008
Here is the schematic I used from the 85 Cadillac Deville. Sorry for the poor quality as I had to scan it from the service manual. If you save it and blow it up it is not too bad.
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07:53 PM
Eau_Rouge Member
Posts: 208 From: Ontario, Canada Registered: Jan 2007
So are we talking about that white rectangular box that above that fuse panel mounted to the side of the car? Is so, I was able to connect the power wire for my power doors but wasn't able to connect the wire for the power mirrors.
So are we talking about that white rectangular box that above that fuse panel mounted to the side of the car? Is so, I was able to connect the power wire for my power doors but wasn't able to connect the wire for the power mirrors.
Yes, this is the one. Some of those connections are keyed hot and some are hot all the time. I need to find a connector that will fit the keyed hot position. Guess a wrecking yard trip is in order.
Surely you must be aware of this by now?
I was hoping to use a non-power housing to swap the guts in rather than trying to track down another housing. Unfortunately I stripped out one of the screw heads so my non-power housing may be junk as well. D'oh! If the housing does fit - I'll use the one off the 84 parts car I just bought.
