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Tow Mirror Marker Light Issues

aleeuw

By aleeuw
in Modifications & Accessories

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aleeuw Enthusiast

aleeuw

Posted
Posted

Hello all!

I have had OEM power folding tow mirrors on my 2018 since around May and absolutely love them and glad I had the support of this forum and Phil to ensure the swap went flawlessly. Unfortunately, I have had issues with the OEM mirrors, specifically the marker lights. Somehow, water entered into the marker light housing on BOTH driver and passenger sides. GM dealer replaced them as they were covered under warranty. After five trips to the dealer last time due to incompetence, long story, I replaced them and was happy again. Well, a couple weeks ago I noticed that BOTH have water in them AGAIN. Contacted the dealer and they will replace them but wondering if anyone else has had this issue. I wash regularly but no direct contact with any high pressure water. Thinking about telling the dealer I want my money back and buying a set from 1A. Anyone out there that can share any similar experiences or thoughts on what I should do?

 

 

laughey Enthusiast

laughey

Posted
Posted

FWIW, I had the same problem with the OEM manual fold tow mirrors on my 2015 Sierra (bought it used in late 2017). I noticed the moisture about 10 months in...didn't pay much attention. Approximately 6 months after that, a few of the LEDs went out...eventually all of them went the way of darkness. I asked my dealership what it would take to replace the marker light and they "suggested" replacing the entire mirror...for $835 (installed)! Having no experience with GM prior to this vehicle, how was I to know that was total BS (re: replacing the entire mirror)? I started shopping around for OEM P/F mirrors and was blown away at the cost. I was wanting to get the P/Fs from BOOST, but theirs were back-ordered "indefinitely" at the time AND they had the blinker integrated in the glass (call me silly, but the ones in the OEMs were bright as hell, especially at night)...so I investigated offerings without this "feature". In the end, I went with the Trail Ridge P/F mirrors from 1AAuto. Don't get me wrong, I love them...less than half the price ($518) and I like the look of the marker lights on these (vs OEM). My biggest complaint, if you want to call it that, is they don't have replacement parts.

 

MY STORY: Approximately 6 months after install, I experienced what can only be explained as intermittent motor failure on the left mirror. I reached out to 1AAuto...hoping they honor their warranty and thinking I'd get a replacement motor. NOPE. After a few weeks of back and forth (i.e., providing them with part/serial numbers, pictures/video and test results), they sent me 2 brand new mirrors. Huh? I specifically requested anything EXCEPT full replacement (yeah, call me stoopid). Sorry, no can do. Cracked cover/marker light? New pair. Faulty motor? New pair. Broken mirror? New pair. WTH? That's what I said. The good news is I received the new mirrors 2 days after this determination was made. I swapped them about 4 weeks later (I travel quite a bit). I sent the bad ones back (to maintain an active service warranty, I had to send the bad ones back on my dime -- $75!).

 

Again, just my 2 cents. At least with the OEM mirrors, you can get replacement parts should you need them (yep, I learned my dealership was trying to scam me along the way).

 

BTW, after swapping these and having time/interest, I determined the being a crack in the marker light itself. By the time I removed this, I discovered the reason the LEDs went out and that there was no visible moisture in the light because it was completely full of water. LOL. Anyway, I went through the faulty one and learned a great deal about them (and that replacement parts do exist on the OEM mirrors). I purchased marker lights from BOOST and replaced them on both mirrors (for uniformity) and sold them on Craigslist for $200.

 

Good luck!

aleeuw Enthusiast

aleeuw

Posted
  • Author
Posted
1 hour ago, laughey said:

FWIW, I had the same problem with the OEM manual fold tow mirrors on my 2015 Sierra (bought it used in late 2017). I noticed the moisture about 10 months in...didn't pay much attention. Approximately 6 months after that, a few of the LEDs went out...eventually all of them went the way of darkness. I asked my dealership what it would take to replace the marker light and they "suggested" replacing the entire mirror...for $835 (installed)! Having no experience with GM prior to this vehicle, how was I to know that was total BS (re: replacing the entire mirror)? I started shopping around for OEM P/F mirrors and was blown away at the cost. I was wanting to get the P/Fs from BOOST, but theirs were back-ordered "indefinitely" at the time AND they had the blinker integrated in the glass (call me silly, but the ones in the OEMs were bright as hell, especially at night)...so I investigated offerings without this "feature". In the end, I went with the Trail Ridge P/F mirrors from 1AAuto. Don't get me wrong, I love them...less than half the price ($518) and I like the look of the marker lights on these (vs OEM). My biggest complaint, if you want to call it that, is they don't have replacement parts.

 

MY STORY: Approximately 6 months after install, I experienced what can only be explained as intermittent motor failure on the left mirror. I reached out to 1AAuto...hoping they honor their warranty and thinking I'd get a replacement motor. NOPE. After a few weeks of back and forth (i.e., providing them with part/serial numbers, pictures/video and test results), they sent me 2 brand new mirrors. Huh? I specifically requested anything EXCEPT full replacement (yeah, call me stoopid). Sorry, no can do. Cracked cover/marker light? New pair. Faulty motor? New pair. Broken mirror? New pair. WTH? That's what I said. The good news is I received the new mirrors 2 days after this determination was made. I swapped them about 4 weeks later (I travel quite a bit). I sent the bad ones back (to maintain an active service warranty, I had to send the bad ones back on my dime -- $75!).

 

Again, just my 2 cents. At least with the OEM mirrors, you can get replacement parts should you need them (yep, I learned my dealership was trying to scam me along the way).

 

BTW, after swapping these and having time/interest, I determined the being a crack in the marker light itself. By the time I removed this, I discovered the reason the LEDs went out and that there was no visible moisture in the light because it was completely full of water. LOL. Anyway, I went through the faulty one and learned a great deal about them (and that replacement parts do exist on the OEM mirrors). I purchased marker lights from BOOST and replaced them on both mirrors (for uniformity) and sold them on Craigslist for $200.

 

Good luck!

Thanks for your thoughts and experience. I did find replacement parts from Boost and once I get the mirrors replaced under warranty I’ll probably get the upgraded strip market lights from Boost. 

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