Power Mirrors Only Go Up And Left

grosss · January 20, 2009

The other day my power mirror switch half gave out on me. It used to struggle sometimes moving either mirror down and to the right (sometimes i'd have to push in the opposite direction for a second for it to work) but now it just plain wont move either mirror down or to the right, I can only adjust up and left. When I was shopping for my truck, I test drove one with the same problem. Is this a common issue? Did the switch give out on me, or is there a loose wire somewhere in my door panel? I took the switch apart and cleaned it, everything looked good inside. Oh also it doesn't illuminate anymore (not sure if it did before this issue however).

Thanks,

Stu

Edited January 20, 2009 by Stuey

Smitty00Z71 · January 20, 2009

I would like to know as well.... my 2002 does the exact same.

grosss · January 21, 2009

I would like to know as well.... my 2002 does the exact same.

I figured it out!!! For any of you who have this issue (and just ignore it) I've got a fix for you! I hope this helps you out Smitty.. The problem is inside of the switch itself, it appears one of the circuit board contact areas gets filled in with dirt or corroded and breaks contact. The problem area is right before the circuit connects to the down and right buttons, and therefore doesn't affect the other two. Take a look at the picture below. You'll have to take out the switch from the door, it's held in with small little protrusions that make it a pain to remove. Use a small flat head screwdriver and take your time.

Once you have the switch out, you'll have to do the same painstaking task to open up the switch, I've provided a picture of what it should look like when you put it back together, because mine popped apart on me the first time I took it apart.

The two small holes in the circuit board that are circled in RED are the culprits, use a small fine pointed tool like the one pictured to poke through and clean out the holes, then put it all back together.

Smitty00Z71 · January 22, 2009

great! make sense too... Im sure mine has a lot of dirt and junk inside it... I'll give it try.

grosss · January 22, 2009

great! make sense too... Im sure mine has a lot of dirt and junk inside it... I'll give it try.

Yup, I got a copy of the wiring schematic for the system, and noticed there were only two places that there could have been a connection break that would produce those symptoms, and that spot right there was one of the two.

dgbritt · January 10, 2010

Stuey Excellent post; had the same issue for several years, just was not an issue until purchasing a fifth wheel trailer and aftermarket tow mirrors. Pulled the switch assembly out and cleaned it with electrical contact cleaner and now it works (almost--cannot tell if the backlight is on) perfect for adjusting up/down and in/out on both sides--so if you're ever out in the Raleigh, NC area--first round is on me. I was planning to purchase a new switch from GM Parts Direct ($57.17 w/shipping), but now, not necessary . . ..

DAH · November 5, 2013

_{Just joined because I have this same issue with my 2001 Silverado because of this answer. I will try this to fix my problem (same as string)}

_{My thanks to poster for the info.}

Kyle GraySierra · March 23, 2021

On 1/21/2009 at 3:42 PM, grosss said:

I figured it out!!! For any of you who have this issue (and just ignore it) I've got a fix for you! I hope this helps you out Smitty.. The problem is inside of the switch itself, it appears one of the circuit board contact areas gets filled in with dirt or corroded and breaks contact. The problem area is right before the circuit connects to the down and right buttons, and therefore doesn't affect the other two. Take a look at the picture below. You'll have to take out the switch from the door, it's held in with small little protrusions that make it a pain to remove. Use a small flat head screwdriver and take your time.

Once you have the switch out, you'll have to do the same painstaking task to open up the switch, I've provided a picture of what it should look like when you put it back together, because mine popped apart on me the first time I took it apart.

The two small holes in the circuit board that are circled in RED are the culprits, use a small fine pointed tool like the one pictured to poke through and clean out the holes, then put it all back together.

I followed what you said, but I already got another switch and I’m still having the issue. I’m thinking about ordering new mirrors and see if that fixes it

cloudsuck · June 20, 2022

99 Sierra - power mirror switch was working intermittently.

I think the fix is to clean the all the gold colored areas of the green PCBoard AND the little gold surfaces that are held in the blue rubber cover. Polish these surfaces up with a pencil eraser and do a final wash with isopropyl alcohol or contact cleaner.

Mine work like new now!

Gotome · August 24, 2024

Remote Mirrors only move in two directions.

RE: 2001 Suburban will work towards the out position on both mirrors but does not respond to up down or towards the vehicle.
Experienced the same with 1998 Sub.
Drivers door panel mirror harness exhibited a bulked area of two wires (Black & Orange) folded together. ,
Unwrapped the fold. it contained a small PC-Board, with 2 small 1 amp resistors. ?? (That was the identification used)
One of these Resister-Fuses, metered as "open".
10 for a dollar @ amazon. 23 Aug 2024