How do you replace sideview mirror on a oldmobile silhouette?

Answer 1

I just replaced a passenger side view mirror (power heated) on a 1999 Olds Silhouette. Here's how. First obtain the proper replacement mirror. Disconnecting the negative battery cable can prevent electric shock and damage to components due to sparks. I actually didn't do that though. Using a thin putty knife, or similar instrument, gently pry up the panel containing the power door lock and window switches. Carefully unplug the swithces from the panel. This may require the use of a small screwdriver to release the swithces from their clips. On this 99 Silhouette there is a 10mm bolt located in a recess below the door grip. Another 10mm bolt is located under the hole from which the switch panel was removed. Remove these 2 bolts. Using a door panel removal tool or flat blade screwdriver gently pry the door panel mounting clips loose to release the door panel. Watch where you are prying and you should be successful. Remove the door panel sliding it forward past the door handle. There is a plastic film (moisture barrier) held to the door by a black adhesive which should come loose with careful pulling on the plastic film at the upper front corner of the door. Peel back this film enough to find the mirror electrical plug. Unplug this connector. Remove 3 10mm nuts holding the mirror assembly to the door at the upper front of the door. Remove the damaged mirror. To assist in finding the new mirror wire plug, I fed a piece of string up through the hole from which the mirror plug was removed. Feed the new mirror wire and plug down through the hole from which it was removed. Set the new mirror in place and loosely attatch one of the 10mm nuts to hold in place. Find the mirror plug and attatch it to the plug from which the old one was removed. Align the mirror to its mounting and secure all 3 10mm nuts to hold the new mirror in place. Resecure the plastic film, I used the original adhesive still there. Place the door panel in position by pulling the door handle and feeding it through its respective hole. Align the door panel so the door clips are in position with their holes. Push the door panel at the clips to secure. Reintall the 10mm bolts removed above. Reattatch the door and window switches removed above. Enjoy your new mirror!