2001 Tahoe LT lights under side mirrors don't work?

[rumblefish73]

I have a 2001 Tahoe LT with the lights under the side mirrors that don't work. I have pulled the clear plastic bulb housings and the bulbs are OK. No power going to the orange with black stripe wire but there is some resistance on it to ground? The other wire is black and looks like it's grounded. I've checked all fuses and everything is ok. Did they not activate these on the Tahoe's vs. the Yukons or is it an option? I went through all my RPO codes last night...


AG1 Adjuster FRT ST Power, Multi-Directional, Driver
AG2 Adjuster PASS ST Power, Multi-Directional
AJ1 Windows Deep Tint, All Except W/S and DRS
AN3 Seat FRT, Individual (Non BKT)
ARL
AT5 Seat Rear CTR, Folding
AU0 Remote Function Actuation - Keyless Entry (Domestic)
AXP
A31 Window Power Operated, All Doors
BVE Steps Runningboard, Side
B30 Floor Covering Carpet
B39 Covering Floor Carpet, Load Floor
B58 Covering Floor MAT, FRT and RR, Carpeted Insert
B85 Molding - Body Side , Exterior, Bright
CF5 Roof Sun Glass, Sliding, Electric
C25 Wiper System Rear Window, Intermittent
C49 Defogger Rear Window, Electric
C5U GVW Rating 6, 800 LBS
C60 HVAC System Air Conditioner FRT, MAN Controls
C69 HVAC System Rear Air Conditioner
DF5 Mirror, I/S R/V LT Sensitive, Compass, O/S Temp Display
DH2 Mirrorn I/S Front Van LH and RH, Illuminated, with Dual Sunshade
DK8 Console Roof Interior, Deluxe
DR2 Mirror O/S LH and RH, Remote Control, Electric, Heated Light Sensitive, Manual, Folding, Color
D07 Console Front Compartment, Floor, Custom
EVA
E52 Body Equipment One-Piece Lift Gate With Lift Glass
FE9
FK2
FK3
GT4 Axle Rear 3.73 Ratio (DUP With 5 x 1)
G65 Level Control Manual, Self-Adjusting
G80 Axle Positraction Limited Slip
JC5 Brake Vac Power, Wheel Disc 7, 200 LBS.
KC5 Accessory Electrical Receptacle
KG8 130 AMP Generator
KNP Heavy Duty Transmission, Cooling System
K34 Cruise Control, Automatic, Electronic
K47 Air Cleaner High Capacity
LM7 Engine Gas, 8 CYL, 5.3L, MFI, Iron, GM
M30 Transmission MAN 5 SPD, NVG, 109MM, 5.61 1ST, O/D ??????????
NF2
NP5 Steering Wheel Leather Wrapped
NP8 Transfer Case - (Active) - Push Button Control, 2 Speed
PF4 Wheel - Cast - Aluminum- 16 X 7.0
QMJ Tire All P265/70R16 - 111S BW R/PE ST TL AL2
R91
SLM
SLT Equipment Chevrolet 'LT' Sales Package
T96 Fog Lamps - Front
UE1 Communication System Vehicle, G.P.S. 1
UG1 Opener Garage Door, Universal
UK6 Radio Control RR Seat and Earphone Jacks
UP0 Radio - AM/FM Stereo, Seek/Scan, Auto Reverse Music Search Cassette, Compact Disc, Auto Tone Control, Clock, and ETR (Radio Will Not Snap Fit Into IP- No Attaching Fasteners, CD Will Be Remote Mounted Other Than the IP)
UQ3 Speaker System Performance Enhanced Audio
UY7 Wiring Harness Truck Trailer, HD
VB3 Bumper Rear Step, Chrome, Impact Strip
VG3 Bumper Front Impact Strip
VP6 Noise Control
VR4 Trailer Hitch Weight Distributing Platform
VXS
V22 Grille Radiator, Chrome
V54 Roof Mounted Luggage Carrier
V73
XMJ Tire Front P265/70R16-111S BW R/PE ST TL AL2
X88
YD3
YD6 Spring Rear, Base Equipment
YE9 Convenience Package Comfort and Decor Level #3
YMJ Tire Rear P265/70R16-111S BW R/PE ST TL AL2
ZMJ Tire Spare P265/70R16-111S BW R/PE ST TL AL2
ZM9
ZW7 Chassis Package Premium Smooth Ride
ZY1
Z82 Trailer Provisions Special Equipment, H. D.
1SC
1SZ
47U
521
522
6XK
7XK

Any ideas? I guess I'll pull off my door covers to see if the wire going through the hinges are connected to anything...

[east302]

If the mirrors have lights installed, then they should be coming on. I'm pretty sure that an LT package would have had them standard from the factory.

If you press the UNLOCK button on the remote, do they not come on? It may not have anything to do with it, but check that the Dome Override button isn't pressed in.

Dumb question here, but you said the bulbs were ok, did you try putting in new ones?

[rumblefish73]

I've tried all the combinations of dome light override off, unlock with the fob, parking lights on, etc.

I pulled out the bulbs, put 12 volts to them and they both lit up so they are ok and don't look like they have ever worked. The glass doesn't have that blackish look to it like most bulbs do that have been used. I put a voltmeter to the wires and didn't get any voltage while hitting the unlock button, etc.

Does anyone else have a 01' Tahoe LT that has the under the mirror lights working?

[tykrz]

Quite possibly you may have to get the BCM reprogrammed by a dealer. I've had the fog lights suddenly quit working and the BCM ended up having to be reprogrammed. Cheapest and easiest to take to dealers shop as to randomly replace switches and parts is real expensive on these trucks.

[east302]

Mine is a 2003 Tahoe LT and the mirror lights come on only under the following circumstances:

1. Vehicle is off and locked. Press unlock on remote and they come on.
2. When you park and get out (ignition off), they come on when the door is opened. If vehicle is on they do not come on at that time. If the vehicle is parked, off and unlocked, they do not come on when you open the door to get in.

My last vehicle was a 2000 (new-style) Tahoe LS and it functioned the same way. Though mine is an 03, I would think they are pretty similar in function. Let me know if you'd like for me to look at something on it to compare.

When you hit the unlock button on the remote, do the daytime running lamps and reverse lights come on?

Over at gm-trucks.com there is a forum where you can ask a GM Technician questions. Might be worth a shot.

[rumblefish73]

Traced back wires as far as I could with no voltage going to lights.

I ran a jumper wire from light on inside of door that's tied to dome lights.

Works with dome lights now which is OK with me.

I don't think Tahoe's or Yukon's turn on the DRL and reverse lights for entry lights until 02 or 03 unless that's programmable in the BCM. I think that starts around the same time the LED's in the side mirrors shows up.

[PC Gator]

The lights work on our 2001 LT.

My experience is exactly like the poster's above with the '03.

[Blythest]

I have the same problem. I check all the fuses n there good n i dont know how to fix it can some one help me how to fix my side view mirror light they were working and out of nowhere the stop working

[Blythest]

I need help with my side view mirror lights for 2001 tahoe

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by Blythest

I need help with my side view mirror lights for 2001 tahoe

I would guess it is the BCM. with all the fuses good then the BCM would be the problem. a shorted wire would blow a fuse. so the wiring must be good. control relay is probably bad part of the BCM. If somehow you can get a GM body scan tool this error code maybe revealed.

being a 2001 I would not be all that concerned .

[Blythest]

Am goin to try it

[Blythest]

Ok i was reading about the bcm n it said that if the power window turn on n off thats the bcm but in my case i dont have problems with that or anything else just the lights from the drivers n passengers side view mirror

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by Blythest

Ok i was reading about the bcm n it said that if the power window turn on n off thats the bcm but in my case i dont have problems with that or anything else just the lights from the drivers n passengers side view mirror

the BCM has many relays controls many devices . windows / seats/ interior lighting its all switched by various control relays. BCM bad which is very common would be the radio never shuts off ever ! just as one example but those side mirror lights will work. you have the GM manual for this tahoe where you read this BCM info ?

[Blythest]

I dont have it

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by Blythest

I dont have it

the BCM can get messed up on its programing . try to disconnect the battery for a few hours place the removed negative connection on the positive to drain out any stored 12 volt power in the computer . this may reset and may work.