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Cadillac Repair/Driver side mirror 1990 Cadillac Brougham

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Expert: - 11/9/2011


Question
I need to figure out how to tighten the driver side mirror head to the stem? I cant get to the screw with any of my screwdrivers.

Is there some way to remove the mirror glass to gain access inside? I bought the 1990 Cadillac Brougham service manual but it only shows how to remove the whole mirror assembly from the door not how to access inside the mirror head.

The glass isn't broke and the power adjustment works fine, it's just loose and wobbly.
Thanks

Answer
Hello,

The reason you see the screws is because that is how the mirror was assembled at the factory before installing the glass, the black plastic mirror backing and the string cables. It is not a servicable assembly. You would find if you got the glass off without breaking it, which you can lightly applying a heat gun, you have gotten nowhere because you still have the black plastic back plate in the way and if you pull that off, you just broke it anyway and it is not going back together.

I know, because I tried fixing one before and it simply will not work without breaking the plate.

Your best off trying to get used or after market and paint to match if in color. Whatever you do, don't buy it from Cadillac! They are out of their minds on price! Its been too long for me to remember if the door glass has to come out, but in most cases I could pull the trim panel and get to the bolts behind the glass, or you may just have 3 easy accessed studs in which all you need to do is remove the trim panel. At any rate, should be about $50 bucks at a junk yard and you might even find it in theright color.

Good Luck!

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Rob Painter

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Alarm system questions cannot be answered on this forum. These systems are not what I can answer. Without being physically at the vehicle and not knowing what kind of electrical service has been done on the vehicle, there is no possible way to give an accurate answer over the internet. My expertise is in Ignition/key based anti-theft systems. These issues include GM VATS (resistor chip in key blade) PASSLOCK (MRD)-ignition lock rotation based, no special ignition key and the PKIII Transponder (computer chip in key) systems. These systems are not alarm based and are integral with the starting of the engine. This is why I cannot diagnose alarm problems without physically looking at the vehicle: Alarm systems are a completely different annimal than ignition key/lock based anti-theft system. Many alarm questions come from vehicles 10 years old, and since older, many hands that had been involved over the years.I am an expert in all GM factory (ignition/key based)systems. Alarm system questions pose to many situations beyond my knowledge as to what has been done to the vehicle over the years. Some guy may have actually wired the stereo into the alarm system. Who knows? Over my past 30 years in vehicle wiring repair, I have seen unbelievable wiring disaters done by guys that consider themselves "mechanics." I have seen stereos and alarms intalled using surgical tape. I have seen modules burn up, un-fused circuits, wiring jambed between the doors and even lamp cord used for a starter kill. To answer alarm questions over the internet without examining the vehicle is like asking; What does it take to remove a dent?

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Education/Credentials-ASE certified. 11 years with a GM dealer and 17 years with a repair facility dealing with only the repair of theft recovered vehicles.

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