power locks and power mirrors

[Black81Vette]

hey guys,
i'm having problems with my power locks and my driver side mirror. first, i just hopped in my car one day and found my power locks werent working! is there a fuse for these, cause if there is, i cant find it! secondly, the one thing that has been irritating me since i got my vette is my driver side mirror is loose. i need to take ythe whole thing off, but i cant get to the bolts. does anyone know the procedure for getting the side mirrors off? please help!



www.cardomain.com/id/black81vette

 

[Sean8]

Fuse Box

Black81,

That problem you are having with the power locks is definitely a fuse problem. I had the same thing, coincidently, I own a black '81 4-speed. Anyway, the fuse panel is very tough to get at. It is located just to the left of the clutch, way at the back, or I guess to the far left of the break pedal, if yours is not a 4-speed. Look way to the back and you'll see the fuses. I just got out a pair of needle nose plyers and started pulling until I found the burnt one. I can't remember which ampage it was, sorry. But trial and error will work just fine. It's easy to see which one is burnt. Once you replace it, the power locks will work just fine. I can't help you on the loose mirror. Never had that problem. Hopefully somebody else will have info for you on that. Good luck!

Sean8

 

[Black81Vette]

thx for the help sean. i check all the fuses and replaced all of them, yes all of them. it still didnt work. i pulled my door panel back off and found my switch had some problems. the plug that hooks onto the 5 prong output on the switch had 2 wired diddconected. the last guy Gooped them on! i had to take it all aprat and get it re soldered. what a pain in the butt that was, seeing the plug only pulls 8 inches out of the door and doesnt dissconect!!!! thx for your help tho. I STILL CAN FIGURE OUT MY MIRRORS!!!!!! help!!!!!!

 

[mikejpss]

If I remember correctly, and thats hard to do at age 52 with a beer pickled brain, the window glass had to be removed to get to the mirror bolt nuts. I painted lil red in August of 2003, and had to remove the door glass to- a.remove the door handles, or b.remove the mirrors, or c. remove both.....just dont remember but I think it was (c).
It does seem that there is enough clearance to insert a swivel socket & extension by the underside of the glass once the glass is in the full "up" position. If not, the glass will need to be removed.

Removing the door glass was not mentally challenging (if I can do it, chances are good that you can too).Just try to replace the glass channels back to the original locations or you will have to go thru the proper alignment sequences that are detailed in the shop manual. This can be "fun" without a shop manual.
Now is a good time to buy yourself a shop manual that not only shows/tells how to remove/tighten the mirror, but can be used for numerous other tasks. This manual is a "must have" item in my opinion.
Have fun! Mike J.