Wire Functions of 8-Wire Towing Mirrors for a 2001 Chevy Silverado and Where to Connect Them

Updated 07/16/2018 | Published 07/14/2018

Question:

Hi. I am wanting to install a set of power tow mirrors with signal and reverse light on my 01 silverado. They have an extra 3 wire harness as well as the factory 5-pin. What do I wire up to make the signals and light work ? Also, my factory mirrors are just a 3-pin, will that make a difference ?

asked by: Trey

Expert Reply:

The fact that your factory mirror wiring harness has 3 pins and the one on the mirrors has 5 pins plus an additional 3-wire harness would indicate that your factory mirrors lack at least 2 of the functions that the towing mirrors have. Those functions, whatever they are, will not work since the factory mirrors did not have them. Can you tell me the manufacturer and part number of the towing mirrors you have?

The 3-wire harness, if not labeled, is probably for the lighting functions you mentioned. One of those wires is likely a ground. That would mean that one of the wires is for turn signals and the other for reverse lights. I can't say I've seen towing mirrors with a reverse light feature but stranger things have happened.

Which ever wire is for the turn signal feature would need to go to the corresponding truck turn signal circuit for that side. The easiest place to get to a turn signal wire would be at the front of the truck. Another possible option is an interior fuse panel if there is a turn signal fuse in it. Consult the vehicle owner's manual for fuse panel locations as well as the functions and locations of the fuses within that panel.

You would do the same thing for the other wire for the other lighting function. Keep in mind that using a fuse tap is fine as long as there is only that one lighting function on that fuse. If something else is fused with the desired circuit then that circuit will activate anytime power is running through that fuse. That could mean that a turn signal or other light on the mirror(s) would come on when you don't want it to.

expert reply by: Michael H