Power mirrors not working

[RedD250]

Power mirrors not working
Hey all, new member. Can't seem to find any info on this anywhere. Just picked up a '93 D250 cummins with factory power mirrors. I can hear the motors spinning and grinding, and the mirror judders a little, but will not actually move. Anyone know what this cold be? Same issue on both sides. Both motors sound strong. Stripped gear or something? Any help is appreciated.

 

[AnonEd]

If it only does it one direction it's up against the travel limit. If it does it in more than one direction I'm no help as no experience with it, but worn or broken teeth seem likely.

 

[Topzide]

Welcome to TDR! Sounds like it might have been manually pushed at some time cause stripped gears or to jump out of alignment. Would be well worth it to get a manual for your beast. Will help with repairs in the future. Make sure it has wiring diagram with it also! Can't help directly with yours, but general issues, can help the best I can. Others may chime in with more specific info.

 

[AnonEd]

I can help with wiring but the FSM shows nothing beyond how to get the mirror assembly on and off.

 

[RedD250]

It seems that the mirror mechanism isn't servicable. I can't figure out any way to get the mirror out of the housing without breaking something. Oh well, was hoping there might have been a replacement gear set for it out there somewhere, but I still can't find anything. Just got these instead: https://farfromstockstore.com/products/88-93-dodge-mirrors-chrome-or-black?variant

Hopefully they are good quality. Thanks for the replies everyone.

 

[brucejohnson]

I have experienced similar events on several vehicles over the years. Somehow, they have been "pushed" past their designed limits, either electrically or physically as Topzide stated in post 3. Determine which direction it has exceeded in its limits. Have someone activate the switch in the direction opposite to the current extended position of the mirror while placing your hand flat on the mirror and coax (gently but firmly) it in the direction the switch is working to move the mirror. Slowly increase the burst efforts in the rotational coaxing of the mirror in that direction. Don't apply pressure to the edges of the mirror or you may break the glass. Just flat and apply increasing rotational effort in short bursts to assist the reengagement of the gears.
Again, just a suggestion.

 

[RedD250]

No luck with that. But I've got a new set coming. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[RedD250]

Got the mirrors put on today. Went with the ones from Far From Stock. If anyone is considering these, they are one of the few options available out there, and probably the same ones everyone else sells. My impression of them is that they are OK, but could be better. The trim piece that covers the bolts does not really fit properly once the mirrors are installed. The screw on the bottom that holds it in place just doesn't line up right unless you force it from an angle and get it to catch a thread. When the mirrors are off the truck, it all lines up fine.

Also, the "metal" attachment point that holds it to the cab does not seem like it will last. I was going to just take them all apart and install the pole into the original mounts, but that would have required cutting the 3 wires and splicing them back together because the connector is too big to get out of the hole where the pole goes into. If you have wire splicing stuff, I recommend going that route. Just re-use the original hardware.

Also, these mirrors whistle at around 50ish MPH. Highly annoying. Not sure what exactly causes them to do it, but if I close the wing window or hold my hand over the mirror, it stops. I am going to try installing them with the original brackets and trim pieces to see if that stops it once I get some wire splicers and shrink wrap.

On the plus side, while I had the door panels off I was able to fix the rattle Now the driver door shuts quietly. Just need to fix the latch or possibly the hinge so it will close without having to slam it hard like the passenger side does.

 

[Topzide]

On the door closing issue, sounds like you might need new door pin and bushings. I'm sure they've got a fair amount of wear and tear on them. Hope you can get the mirrors figured out.

 

[RedD250]

Thanks for the info. I believe I've seen those available for sale somewhere. Can the pin & bushings be installed with the door still attached to the truck?

 

[Topzide]

I think that you might be able to do the top then bottom as long as you have some support or able to hang the door somehow.
Here's what RA has to offer; https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinf...EeYEC+uHJGtF4WTVuRhFBTjU2w+LgpT6oZmGsj6zI+XwP

 

[RedD250]

If anyone else is having the whistling problem, I figured out that it's air rushing through the gap between the mirror face and the chrome housing. I guess the gap is different than the OEM mirrors. I stuffed a bit of foam between the 2, and it quietned it down a lot. The foam won't stay in place around the side farthest from the truck because of the mirror being angled in so I can see out of it. When time allows, I'm going to cram as much fiberglass insulation inside the whole housing as I can and still allow for the mirror to be adjusted, and that should slow the air down enough to stop the whistle entirely. I ordered a set of Kool-Vue mirrors on Amazon to see if they are different from the ones I got at Far From Stock. They were branded Fit Systems. They have a different part number, but I have a suspicion that all of the ones available on the various vendors are made by the same company, and just re-numbered for the various dealers. I'll just send them back if that's the case.

 

[Topzide]

What about a bead of silicone in the gap? you could still peel off if needed and will fill gap and stay put! JM2C.

 

[RedD250]

That might work, but my dad drives the truck too and we have 2 different mirror needs. It would be a constant thing doing that. Good idea for a single driver setup though.

 

[RedD250]

As I suspected, the Kool-Vue mirrors are the exact same mirrors that Far From Stock sent me, even though they were branded "Fit Systems". The same part numbers are on the various parts of the mirrors, and they are identical in every way. They will be going back.

So, if anyone needs power mirrors for their first gen, it doesn't matter where you get them online, they will be the same mirror. Just get them from the cheapest source. If you don't mind having to cram stuff inside the housing or seal the gap with silicone to stop the whistle, they are passable. You will need to force the bottom screw in that holds the door trim piece in place, but once you do that, they look just like the original ones, just not the same quality. I have already had to add a beer can shim to the pole, because after you fold it in and out several times, they get loose and the wind will cause the mirror to fold in while you're driving.

I will be keeping an eye out for some OEM units in the junkyards and craigslist for sure.