Factory Camping Mirrors

richscorvettes · October 18, 2003

I have a set of the telescoping mirrors as a factory installed option on a 2003 Silverado 2500HD. I have had a recurring problem with both mirrors not extending or retracting without a manual assist to get them moving. I thought I had seen a post here regarding others having this problem but, even using different search terms, can't locate it.

I was at the dealer today for routine maintenance and to have this problem looked at. I understood there was a technical bulletin or instructions on how to correct the problem. The dealer couldn't find any bulletins even after calling the GM for information.

I understood that there is an adjustment nut that might not have been torqued correctly at the factory which, if adjusted, will address the problem short of replacing the entire units. I have sent a note to Power Vision (who I believe is the mfg.) and asked for their instructions but thought I would ask here if anyone has had the problem and if they have any further information on the fix.

Otherwise, the mirrors are great and very useful when towing. I did just order their auxillary mirrors to make vision even better.

Thanks for your help.

Rich Lagasse

THE BIGPUNN · October 18, 2003

no probs from mine, you should request them to be replaced if your still under manu warranty.

BrokenBoots · October 18, 2003

No problems with mine either.

422 SS · October 18, 2003

Mine were replaced under warranty.They worked exactly one time.I extended them once and they would'nt retract.I had to wait for a week for the dealer to get them in and they swapped them out while I waited.It does'nt appear to be a common problem.The new ones work like their supposed too.

richscorvettes · October 20, 2003

Thanks for the replies. The problem I have is intermittant and, as often happens with these type of problems, they worked perfectly when I tried them on the way to the dealer. After leaving the dealership I tried extending them for the heck of it and the drivers side didn't move until I gave it a little manual assist.

If I get a response from the factory I'll post thier reply in case anyone else has a similar problem.

Rich Lagasse

ScramblerHD · October 20, 2003

Mine will go in today to get the same problem fixed on my 03 HD. Had it in one other tome fo rthe same thing and the dealer did not fine anything wrong with them. Now one is stuck in the out position and the other is in??? Anyway sounds like there are more of these problems out there. By the way anyone know why there is not a 2500 Avelanche D-Max???

richscorvettes · October 20, 2003

ScramblerHD,

If the dealer gives you any information regarding a service bulletin or proceedure for the fix I would appreciate it if you could send it to me. I know that some have replaced the entire unit but believe there is an adjustment that can also be made in some cases. Thanks.

Rich Lagasse

ScramblerHD · October 20, 2003

No problem, it will go in this afternoon and I should know something by tomorrow.

jelisfc · October 20, 2003

I just had mine replaced. They worked below 50 and above 75 degrees. In between was any one's guess. Someone on the Diesel Page reported the vendor had a batch of clutches that weren't set right. I can't find the post but it was last fall and my truck was built last October so I'm guessing that was the problem.

mkirchh · October 21, 2003

Otherwise, the mirrors are great and very useful when towing. I did just order their auxillary mirrors to make vision even better.

Hey Rich, what are the auxillary mirrors that you ordered?

Thanks.

richscorvettes · October 21, 2003

mkirchh,

The auxillary mirrors I ordered are from Power Vision. Here is the link to their order page: http://www.powervisionmirrors.com/order.html These are at the bottom of the page and the part # is 4500. I haven't received them yet and don't know how well they will work or what position will work best. I'm hoping that they will do the trick.

ScramblerHD,

Thanks.

jelisfc,

I had seen something of the same problem but haven't been able to find a thread anywhere about it and I've tried several different search terms. My truck was built last November and could be the same bad batch.

I sent an inquiry to Power Vision last week but haven't had a response yet. I'll post what I get back from them.

Rich Lagasse

LARSONEM · October 21, 2003

Mine work great on my 2003 2500HD. My only complaint is that on a truck of that size and height, there is a blind spot in them. I too looked at the aux mirror from Power Vision, but opted for a round 2 inch stick on for in the lower outside corner. That seems to have solved the problem.

richscorvettes, let us know what you find out from Power Vision if you ever do. I sent them an inquiry as to if their mirror would work on a 2003 2500HD (before I decided to order the truck with the DPF option) and they replied back quite quickly. When I looked at the spotter mirror (#4500) I wasn't sure I liked how it looked in the picture. I think I'd like the looks better if it mounted on the bottom side of the mirror, instead of the top, but didn't inquire. Put a post out here as to how you like them when you get them. Also if the top is the required mounting position and how they mount.

Thanks.

Eric

Red2500HD · October 22, 2003

A lot of Chevy owners with factory extendable mirrors are unhappy with the quality. In reading several RV forums, they are going with aftermarket brand as you have indicated. Of course to do so, you would have to eat the cost I would imagine. Good Luck!!

ScramblerHD · October 22, 2003

Well I picked up my truck and spoke with the service guy this is what he told me. On my mirrors they found a short which was causing the problem and replaced the motor/part that was bad.

Rich- I asked about the bulletin and he did not know about it. He said he was not aware of any adjustment nut or anything like that. He brought out the mechanic and he did not know anything about it either. What he did say is that the gears inside are made of plastic and it does not take much to break them. He said that an example is in cold weather when they are extended the gears may strip if they are frozen. Also he said that the impact rating?? is at 2-3 mph which could mean if you are backing out of your garage and hit them the gears could become damaged. hope this helps

richscorvettes · October 22, 2003

ScramblerHD,

Thanks for the feedback. I hope that solves your problem.

I did get a response from Power Vision. Here it is:

"Mr. Lagasse,

I forwarded your e-mail onto the President and the Director of Engineering

for Delbar Products. Delbar is the company we have a licensing agreement

with, so they make our mirrors for GM. They responded that they would get

with their contacts at GM to find out what is going on because while they

did have a batch of motors that needed the clutch tightened, this was

supposed to have been taken care of a long time ago. They also asked that I

give you the GM part number for the motor that is inside your mirror and

have your dealer get new motors for your mirrors. The part number is

88980584. Your dealer should be able to get 2 on warranty and install them

for you.

We regret the inconvenience this has caused, but new motors should take care

of the problem."

At least we now know that there is a cure (hopefully a permanent one) and that there was a problem with some of them. My truck was built in November, 2002 and I know of one other that was built in October so that may have been the timeframe when they had the bad batch of mirrors. I have asked them for specific instructions on the proceedure to make sure the dealer knows what to do.

Larsonem,

The pictures of the auxillary mirrors on their web site show them mounted on top but I too am hoping that they will work on the bottom. I'll know when I get them and have a chance to try them in both positions. I'll post what I find.

Thanks for all the replies.

Rich Lagasse