Replacing the Turn Signal LED's on 4th GEN OEM Towing Mirrors w/Pics......

[gsbrockman]

One of the four LED's on my turn signal on the driver's side tow mirror went out recently on my '14 RAM 3500 Crew Cab DRW.

I swapped my black tow mirrors with another member from another forum to chrome tow mirrors last summer.

The part number for a left side LED "Lamp, Turn Signal" for a chrome tow mirror is 68087235AA.....List was $94.58 and I paid $61.61 plus tax. :--) (The black tow mirrors have a black stripe around the lamp, and the chrome tow mirrors have a silver stripe around the lamp).

Anyway.....I thought I'd share with the TDR membership just how easy this process really is.
You'll need a Torx T-15 screwdriver, a new replacement lamp, and about 10 minutes.

Begin by adjusting the power portion of the mirror towards the convex mirror. This will give you a little better ability to squeeze your fingers in to pull out the convex mirror.#ad


Grab the convex mirror and pull downward gently. It will take a little force, so don't be too scared to tug on it.#ad


This is what the back of the convex mirror looks like for reference purposes (so you get an idea as to what type of tabs it has fastening it to the housing).#ad


Disconnect the wiring harness from the LED turn signal. Using the T-15 screwdriver, remove the single attaching screw. Remove the LED turn signal.
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I folded my tow mirror towards the front for a little easier access.
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A close-up shot of the housing with LED turn signal removed.
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Pop out the defective light, pop in the new light, tighten the T-15 screw snugly, then re-connect the wiring harness. Verify the new one works correctly before going any further.
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Close-up shot of the T-15 screw and wiring harness.
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Pop back in the convex mirror, then re-adjust the convex & power mirrors to their previous settings. You're done!!!!
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[NC Hauler]

Pretty slick Greg, good write up and the pics put it all together.

 

[gsbrockman]

Thanks, Jim !!!

 

[Kirwin]

Thanks Greg. I have one out also. DS upper, closest to the mirror. Just curious, are they not covered under the 3/36 warranty? I'd replace it myself if I can get my dealer to buy the part. Ken Irwin

 

[gsbrockman]

Thanks Greg. I have one out also. DS upper, closest to the mirror. Just curious, are they not covered under the 3/36 warranty? I'd replace it myself if I can get my dealer to buy the part. Ken Irwin

Yes....they should be covered easily under the 3/36. The bad part is.......I'm at 42k!!! :-laf

 

[jkern]

Had my right one replaced, now the left one is out too. These are LED bulbs, they should last the life of the truck! Why are they failing at such a high rate? i would like to see Dodge reimburse those of us that had to pay out of pocket for replacement of this inferior product!

 

[Kirwin]

Yes....they should be covered easily under the 3/36. The bad part is.......I'm at 42k!!! :-laf

Your enjoying your truck TOO MUCH Greg!!!

 

[gsbrockman]

Your enjoying your truck TOO MUCH Greg!!!

Impossible to enjoy it TOO much, Ken !!! :-laf

Had my right one replaced, now the left one is out too. These are LED bulbs, they should last the life of the truck! Why are they failing at such a high rate? i would like to see Dodge reimburse those of us that had to pay out of pocket for replacement of this inferior product!

I agree!!! Funny thing is......all of these LED manufacturers tout this "100,000 hour" lifespan of LED's........yeahhhhhh.....right.

 

[slingshot383]

The problem isn't the led itself, it's either the circuit board or corrosion on the spade connectors creating too much resistance.

 

[RikDavis]

A friend asked whether my tradesman tow mirrors had the turn signals. Actually I had never noticed so I went out to check and found I only had them on the right side left only has one spot with a dim glow. This must be a problem area. Probably why I didn't know I had them even though I have had the truck 15 months. Will be my first warranty claim when I get my next "free" oil change.

 

[DonFitzwater]

Traditionally light bulbs are only covered by the 12 year 12k mile coverage, not 3/36. Make sure you ask before or you'll get handed a 100.00 bill for changing a turn signal bulb like I did!

 

[zmos]

Hey gsbrockman, that red is sweet. Can't recall seeing this color. BTW thanks for the post.

 

[Kirwin]

Traditionally light bulbs are only covered by the 12 year 12k mile coverage, not 3/36. Make sure you ask before or you'll get handed a 100.00 bill for changing a turn signal bulb like I did!

I hear you DFitzwater.... BUT its not like you can go get this "light bulb" any where but your Ram dealer. We will see just how good my relationship with my dealer is. LOL Ken Irwin

 

[gsbrockman]

Hey gsbrockman, that red is sweet. Can't recall seeing this color. BTW thanks for the post.

Thanks. Flame Red was discontinued, if memory serves me right, in 2009 (3rd GENS). It was re-introduced in 2013 in the 4th GENS.

I originally had a beautiful '13 RAM 3500 Crew Cab DRW in New Holland Blue.......until some nimrod hit me head-on on January 24th, 2014, causing over $14k in damages. Since I use my truck for hauling, and the body shop was so slow, I bought the '14 RAM 3500 Crew Cab DRW in Flame Red on February 20th. I originally was going to purchase a '14 RAM 3500 Crew Cab DRW in Blue Streak Pearlcoat.....but some HOOSIER drove down from IN and beat me to it my about 9 hours. #@$%!
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Flame Red is no stranger to me.....

A 1998 RAM 2500 Regular Cab 4x4 12V w/NV4500
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A 2000 RAM 2500 Quad Cab 4x4 24V w/47RE
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I also owned a 1995 RAM 1500 Regular Cab 2wd Sport in Flame Red w/360 MAGNUM, 4 speed auto, and 3.92 axle w/Anti-spin. It showed more than one GM 454 Sport trucks that MOPAR could show'em a tailgate.

Looked great on my 2005 Dodge SRT/4 as well......
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[zmos]

Blue was nice too. Don't believe I've seen it or the red. You are no stranger to Dodge products.

Thanks again for sharing this. Looks like those LEDs in the mirrors are a problem. Since you had it out, is it all possible to replace just the bulb, with some surgery?

 

[gsbrockman]

Blue was nice too. Don't believe I've seen it or the red. You are no stranger to Dodge products.

Thanks again for sharing this. Looks like those LEDs in the mirrors are a problem. Since you had it out, is it all possible to replace just the bulb, with some surgery?

I kept the old LED lamp. I'll try to take some pictures of it.......it appears that the manufacturing process utilized would most likely make it impossible to re-use after it was taken apart......IMO.

 

[Kirwin]

I stopped by my dealer today and they said it was covered 3/36. So I guess I'm getting my first replacement for free, of course they had to order the part. Sorry Greg, my truck isn't as well used as your is. Still since they are supposed to last forever makes me kind of nervous that this will be a continuing thing. Now, if only the tech doesn't break my whole mirror trying to replace it I'll be happy. Ken Irwin

 

[gsbrockman]

I stopped by my dealer today and they said it was covered 3/36. So I guess I'm getting my first replacement for free, of course they had to order the part. Sorry Greg, my truck isn't as well used as your is. Still since they are supposed to last forever makes me kind of nervous that this will be a continuing thing. Now, if only the tech doesn't break my whole mirror trying to replace it I'll be happy. Ken Irwin

It's so simple.....even this guy could do it..... :-laf
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[Kirwin]

Yeah, but it will cost him at least $61.61. And that's $61.61 I have that you don't Greg! LOL (Now if I hope they only don't break anything changing it......)

 

[Kirwin]

Well the dealer changed mine out at no charge. Too bad they scratched the chrome mirror while trying to remove the old lamp assembly while they were doing it. I should have just done it myself. Now I have to decide if I will make them replace the whole mirror or live with scratch. Ken Irwin

P S They did two flash updates while it was in the dealer's shop, one they said was for the ABS module update, and they said that my rear fuel heater RRT was not complete in the computer so they said they updated my BCM for the rear fuel heater. I verified it was still on after I got home as I had already had the rear fuel heater enabled back in December before the RRT came out.