2014-2017: DL8, DL3, Towing Mirror Upgrade – Mirrors Explained

[pgamboa]

Pgamboa can't go radio silent for a week. Lots of people depend on him haha

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- it’s really tough being radio silent. One can only stare at the ocean for so long. So, when the Mrs. is napping, I use her WiFi login.


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[mxchrit11]

If I have a 2015.5 LTZ 2500 with the tow mirrors that are black plastic all over and has the turn signal only inside the glass, nothing on outside. Is it just remove them and add the upgraded tow mirrors just unplug and plug in new ones? I do not have power folding switch on door though

[timgh]

Finally got awesome mirrors installed on my truck.  After some solid work by Phil on the wiring harness, the whole process was pretty easy.  I followed Phil's video tutorial for dismantling the door panel, which made the process simple.  After the stock harness and mirrors were removed, I added the new custom wiring harness by Phil, which included dual function/ park lamp/turn signal wiring, an aftermarket key fob integration module, and pigtails which made all of the connections truly plug and play.

 

The hardest part of the install was running a new wire from the cab interior door connector to a connection within a wiring box next to the steering column.  There was very little space to work under there, and getting the wiring connector out of the door frame took some patience.  Lastly I added a diode (diode and instructions supplied by Phil) into the same wiring box to jump the wiring ports for the cargo lamps and reverse lights.  Phil and I did some texting back and forth during the install when I had a few questions, but everything was pretty straight forward, and Phil helped me with the small hiccups.

 

I used mirrors from AM auto, part # AM-3336162013.  These were the least expensive mirrors that had the functions/components that I wanted at the time that I was doing the install.  They did come with chrome caps, which I'm not using.  The mirrors are heated, power folding, power adjust, have turn signal LED's and rear facing cargo lamps.  They are manually extendable and have no puddle lamp.

 

Everything works flawlessly.  When I unlock the truck with the key fob, the mirrors unfold, and all of the running lights, and reverse/cargo lamps illuminate.  When I lock the truck with the key fob, the mirrors collapse, and again all of the lights come on, but time out soon after.  I tow a large enclosed trailer, so when I shift into reverse to back up the trailer, the mirror's cargo lamps automatically illuminate, which is especially nice being able to see well beyond the trailer when backing up the trailer at night in my unlit driveway.

 

The only caveat to the project is with the remote start.  This is a small inconvenience compared to how much I've gained with the purpose and functions of these mirrors for how I use my truck.  If I start the truck remotely, the running lights activate as they always used to.  When I go to get into the truck, I unlock the doors with the key fob.  At this point, the mirrors don't unfold, but the reverse and cargo lamps activate.  This means that when I get into the truck, those awesome cargo/reverse lamps on the mirrors are like a nice bright spotlight on me in the driver's seat (and when there's a front seat passenger, they get the same treatment).  Once I put the key into the ignition and turn, then I can unfold the mirrors with the new OEM mirror adjustment switch (which has the fold/unfold button).

 

In summary, this was a great project.  I had some fun doing the work, and Phil's handiwork was essential to an easy install.  I spent a little more that I had originally wanted to, but the extra money spent surely took the place of hours of frustrating work if I had tried re-wiring things myself (and foregoing Phil's custom harness).  Worth every penny.  Thanks for the help Phil.  Here's some shots of the finished product.

[timgh]

Key fob mirror function video

Key Fob Functions Video.mov

Edited February 25, 2018 by timgh
Video file name update

[passat774]

I have a WT 1500 and just want to add towing mirrors for the increased visibility.  

 

I am looking for the cheapest option and saw some on eBay but am skeptical of the quality.

 

I would even take a used set, does anyone have any suggestions.

 

Thanks

[joemac137]

I purchased the 1AMRP011771 mirrors.  I just need to modify the mirror plug like you show in the video.  I can't seem to find the pins that go onto the end of the wires that are installed into the mirror plug to make it plug and play.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Edited March 5, 2018 by joemac137

[Dyrdum]

7 hours ago, pgamboa said:

If you have DL8 Mirrors, door harnesses are required if you want to upgrade to tow mirrors that have the lighting options. If you’re truck is 2014 - early 2015, that’s when the additional RZY is needed in addition to the door harnesses. This is two step for ya.

For mid 2015 (2015.5) and on, RZY is NOT required and only door harnesses are.


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I gotcha. So I would need RZY Harness AND Door Harness. Or I could use your plug and play adapter. I see the RZY tutorial but is there a video for just the door harness?

[Instructor31]

8 hours ago, pgamboa said:

This is a classic symptom of after Market tow mirrors where the manufacture has the turn signal AND running Running lights tied together inside the mirror itself. My guess is that the mirror doesn’t have a dedicated turn signal in the glass? I see this quite often and many of these makers don’t wire them up as individual, causing this exact symptom. You’ll have separate the circuits and remove one or the other.


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You are correct sir,

 

there is is no individual turning indicator on the glass.

do you know a proper way to tackle this situation or would you rather advice to get the mirrors with the turning signal in the glass.

 

this would be great if you could add this information to your post so people don’t make the mistake I did.

 

i appreciate your feed back and once again, thank you.

 

[pgamboa]

I gotcha. So I would need RZY Harness AND Door Harness. Or I could use your plug and play adapter. I see the RZY tutorial but is there a video for just the door harness?

Here is a video of the entire process of this upgrade.

This video by Tinkering Fox shows the serial of the RZY harness portion and shows the detail of harness removal as well.

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[pgamboa]

You are correct sir,
 
there is is no individual turning indicator on the glass.
do you know a proper way to tackle this situation or would you rather advice to get the mirrors with the turning signal in the glass.
 
this would be great if you could add this information to your post so people don’t make the mistake I did.
 
i appreciate your feed back and once again, thank you.
 

It is really hard to nail down and identify the mirror makers that do this. What I’ve found is that many of these sellers are not the ones that manufacture them and source the mirror from the same place/distributor. I’ll be working/editing the post to see where I can put this info.

On the mirror connector itself, the pinouts are the following...

Pin 1 - Running Lamp
Pin 2 - Cargo Lamp
Pin 5 - Ground
Pin 13 - Turn Signal

Here is a pic of the 18-Pin OEM Connector. Notice the pin # references in each corner. Your connector may not have these #s so use the pic for orientation. There is a white TPA (terminal position assurance). Lift this up about 1/8”. From the front and using a pic tool, you’ll need to lift a tiny little lever inside the slot of the pin/wire you want to remove. While lifting, gently pull the wire out. You can also simple cut the wire if you choose. You’ll have to decide which function you want the light to be. Either turn signal or running Lamp, remove what you don’t want.




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[scance00]

I have a quick question that maybe someone could help me with. I have found a pair of 2014 dl3 mirrors on Craigslist for $100. The problem is that the driver side mirror has a small crack in it. Where can I find a replacement mirror, it is it even worth it? I have tried looking online, but so far haven’t found anything. 

[Gheezer]

On 2/22/2018 at 4:39 PM, pgamboa said:

DL8 refers to the RPO code of the mirror you have now. The harnesses are specific to your trim and current mirror. I have an inquiry out for non-Power Folding GM OEM Mirrors, which are DPN. Power fold being DQS. So if non-power Folding is what you want, you would be DL8 -> DPN.


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@WHMA and @Nawtieian,

I will be upgrading my DPN mirrors to the DQS mirrors relatively soon on my 2017 Silverado and so I will not be needing my DPN mirrors. Maybe something can be worked out between us and pgamboa that can be beneficial to all of us. You can see the mirrors on my truck on page 69.

 

Thanks,

[Clifford Quintero]

 

 

Edited February 28, 2018 by Clifford Quintero

[Instructor31]

On 2/26/2018 at 5:52 AM, pgamboa said:

It is really hard to nail down and identify the mirror makers that do this. What I’ve found is that many of these sellers are not the ones that manufacture them and source the mirror from the same place/distributor. I’ll be working/editing the post to see where I can put this info.

On the mirror connector itself, the pinouts are the following...

Pin 1 - Running Lamp
Pin 2 - Cargo Lamp
Pin 5 - Ground
Pin 13 - Turn Signal

Here is a pic of the 18-Pin OEM Connector. Notice the pin # references in each corner. Your connector may not have these #s so use the pic for orientation. There is a white TPA (terminal position assurance). Lift this up about 1/8”. From the front and using a pic tool, you’ll need to lift a tiny little lever inside the slot of the pin/wire you want to remove. While lifting, gently pull the wire out. You can also simple cut the wire if you choose. You’ll have to decide which function you want the light to be. Either turn signal or running Lamp, remove what you don’t want.




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This is how the connector looks like and the wires that came with it.

 

[Instructor31]

I ended up cutting the pink wire on the #13 slot. 

Works fine now. They’ll turn on at night as running clearance lights and front turning signals work now too.

 

still don’t know where the reduced steering message is coming from. Might just need a new bcm.