My Silverado's Mirrors are Not Working

by Tim Anderson
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Whether you are troubleshooting the wiring to the mirror or replacing the glass or the entire frame on the door, the side mirrors on your Chevrolet Silverado are an important safety feature that keeps your driving adventures free of accidents. From time to time, the components of all vehicles can fail because of wear and tear or accidental damage. Finding those failures is key to safe driving, and there are a number of things to look at when troubleshooting a mirror.

Blown Fuse

One of the most common reasons for a mirror to stop working in a Chevy Silverado is a blown fuse. This is especially true on later models that include features such as heated casing to melt off ice, built-in blinkers and mechanical motors that move the mirror. The fuse box for your Silverado is on the driver’s side instrument panel. If the fuse for the mirrors is blown, it needs to be replaced.

Wiring Issues

Wiring to the motors and components in the mirror (especially in the case of newer models) is another issue that can plague mirrors on a Silverado. Chevrolet has made accessing the wiring for the mirror as easy as removing the mirror paneling on the interior of the door, rather than the entire door panel as in other vehicles. Frayed wires or bad connections need to be spliced or replaced for the mirror to function again.

Dirt and Debris Buildup

Over time, dirt and debris can build up in the casing of your Silverado’s mirrors, causing blockage that can keep the mirror from moving when you need to adjust it. Fixing the issue is a simple matter of removing the actual mirror and cleaning out any debris or dirt that might be lodged in the gears or the frame and keeping the mirror from moving.

Battery or Alternator Issues

A faulty alternator or a bad battery can also cause the mirrors on your Silverado to stop working. Checking the alternator or the battery with a digital multimeter is the best way to see whether either of these engine components could be the issue, as they regulate power to the various electrical components of the truck. The only way to resolve the issue is to replace either (or both) if you discover they have broken down.

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