GMC Sonoma Sun Shades

[Shaunfth]

My 2002 Sonoma ZR4 has lighted mirrors in the sun shades. The light is activated by a plastic hinged cover. The hinges on both covers have broken after minimal use. I really would not care about the missing covers but the lighted mirrors will not turn off which drains the battery. I tried to buy replacement covers from GM but they only sell the covers with new sun shades at $200 each. I find it completely unacceptable that I have to spend $400 to turn off my lighted mirrors because of a faulty GM hinge design. Why cant they sell replacement covers? The GM parts department suggested that I remove the sun shades and unplug the lights. So much for the creature comforts that I paid good money for...I tried to call 1-800-GMCARES but I have been getting a busy signal for the last 2 days. I understand that this is not and earth shattering problem but when you pay close to 30K for a truck you expect a quality product and quality
customer service. I dont think I will trust GM with my money again.

[drew630]

Have u tried taping down the button that activates the lights?

[GMCSonoma]

Wire in an on/off switch if you don't want to replace the covers...

Most sunshades on US mfg cars & trucks come from the same parts supplier, so you might run into this issue on a non-GM product as well over time...

Good Luck!

[Shaunfth]

Yes I tried taping the switch closed. It works for a while but the pressure from the switch eventually pushes the tape away and the light turns on again. It is worse when there is hot weather, and I live in Southern California.....Besides the tape does'nt stop my wife from being pissed off that the lighted mirror no longer works properly...

[Shaunfth]

Almost 30K for a truck and I am expected to do my own wiring to control lighted mirrors? I think you missing the point. I should not have to do anything but flip the cover and not have it break off...

[GMCSonoma]

Originally Posted by Shaunfth

Almost 30K for a truck and I am expected to do my own wiring to control lighted mirrors? I think you missing the point. I should not have to do anything but flip the cover and not have it break off...

What's your point? A 2002 truck after FIVE model years has a parts failure...and then you lose your temper over a simple repair...
I guess I don't let trivial matters irritate me...

Replace them...big deal. Parts break...NOTHING lasts forever...
Either you want the feature to work, then you pay...if not well...

Save some cash, see http://www.GMPartsDirect.com maybe they can save you some of your hard earned cash.

Good Luck!

[shadams]

Originally Posted by Shaunfth

My 2002 Sonoma ZR4 has lighted mirrors in the sun shades. The light is activated by a plastic hinged cover. The hinges on both covers have broken after minimal use. I really would not care about the missing covers but the lighted mirrors will not turn off which drains the battery. I tried to buy replacement covers from GM but they only sell the covers with new sun shades at $200 each. I find it completely unacceptable that I have to spend $400 to turn off my lighted mirrors because of a faulty GM hinge design. Why cant they sell replacement covers? The GM parts department suggested that I remove the sun shades and unplug the lights. So much for the creature comforts that I paid good money for...I tried to call 1-800-GMCARES but I have been getting a busy signal for the last 2 days. I understand that this is not and earth shattering problem but when you pay close to 30K for a truck you expect a quality product and quality
customer service. I dont think I will trust GM with my money again.

First of all its 1-800-GMCTRUC, but to be honest its a waste of your time, I wouldnt bother. Best thing you can do is either unplug them, tape them, find some replacement ones at a junkyard, or cough up the money. If after 5 yrs thats the only problem you have I dont see what the uproar is all about. The sunshades arent designed/constructed by GM, they are built by an outside vendor and sold to GM and other manufacturers. They try and put the highest quality equipment in these vehicles while still staying within a certain cost, and within its expected use and sometimes things last a a lot longer than intended, and sometimes they dont. I have a 98 Sonoma and mine still work. IMO your best bet is to find some at a salvage yard.

[shadams]

Originally Posted by GMCSonoma

What's your point? A 2002 truck after FIVE model years has a parts failure.........

You know what they say, great minds think alike.

[Shaunfth]

"What's your point? A 2002 truck after FIVE model years has a parts failure"
I guess If I had used it many times and It just wore out, I would understand. When I said "minimal use" in my original post, I should have said opened/closed the cover less than 10 times in the 5 model years I have owned the truck. The Drivers side was virtually unused and it still fell apart.

"Replace them...big deal. Parts break...NOTHING lasts forever..."

It would be great if I could buy a replacement cover, I would have gladly purchased it and been on my way. But as you know I must buy a complete sun shade for $200 to replace a $5 plastic part. Thats my point....

You last comment pretty much sums up GM's attitude about customer service...."Either you want the feature to work, then you pay...if not well..."
Which is exactly why I will not go with GM again....

[drew630]

Originally Posted by Shaunfth

"What's your point? A 2002 truck after FIVE model years has a parts failure"
I guess If I had used it many times and It just wore out, I would understand. When I said "minimal use" in my original post, I should have said opened/closed the cover less than 10 times in the 5 model years I have owned the truck. The Drivers side was virtually unused and it still fell apart.

"Replace them...big deal. Parts break...NOTHING lasts forever..."

It would be great if I could buy a replacement cover, I would have gladly purchased it and been on my way. But as you know I must buy a complete sun shade for $200 to replace a $5 plastic part. Thats my point....

You last comment pretty much sums up GM's attitude about customer service...."Either you want the feature to work, then you pay...if not well..."
Which is exactly why I will not go with GM again....

So you think that if your truck was a Toyota or something else you would be seeing a different result?? Please dude, things break (EVEN IN TOYOTA'S) and they cost money to fix. Thats life.

[shadams]

Originally Posted by Shaunfth

You last comment pretty much sums up GM's attitude about customer service...."Either you want the feature to work, then you pay...if not well..."
Which is exactly why I will not go with GM again....

You're out of your mind. First of all none of us represent GM. Most of us and our comments come from a customer point of view. Nothing is free, even when you work at a dealer. I understand your upset, but to leave GM for this is absurd. You also say its typical GM attitude, yet you already mentioned you havent even talked to GM.

[CRBoyd91]

TROLL...ahem...

This is ludicrous. If you don't want to pay for new ones, haul your ass down to a junkyard and there you go.

[Shaunfth]

Originally Posted by drew630

So you think that if your truck was a Toyota or something else you would be seeing a different result?? Please dude, things break (EVEN IN TOYOTA'S) and they cost money to fix. Thats life.

Of course things break, this is not my first vehicle. And of couse they cost money to fix. Im not saying I am not willing to pay to have it fixed. But when they have the part you need sitting on the shelf behind them but will not sell it to you unless you buy a bunch of other stuff you dont need, it is very frustrating. There was no offer from the GM parts counter to try to special order the plastic pieces in question, no offer to try and contact the manufacture to see if the pieces can be purchased seperately. No explanation as to why the part cannot be purchased seperately.There seems to be no way to contact anyone else who could help get these parts with out spending $400 for two small pieces of plastic. Thats why I am posting in this forum. My options from GM were to pay $400 or leave. This type of problem can occur in vehicles from any manufacture. What sets the manufactures apart is how they handle problem. A little effort put into customer service can go along way.

[GMCSonoma]

It seems no matter what is said...whether the parts or repairs are free or not...you can't please everyone. Attack me all you want...I'm just trying to be pragmatic here.
Components are not service for the DH6 visor, save for the light bulbs in the visor. Unfortunately any parts department, no matter the brand has control over this. Sort of like asking for an oil filter casing, however only the oil filter assembly is only serviced...

Have you asked your GMC dealer's service manager to contact his/her GM ASM for assistance?

I assume that this truck is a low mileage unit, as seeing as it has very little use or wear on it??? If that is the case, I'd ask the service manager for assistance...

There is no need for such virulent reactions here...given such a minor issue.

[Buicktech]

Go to a junk yard.
Pay $5 for the shades.
Pop them in place.
Enjoy your truck, it IS a nice one.
No matter the Brand, there is no free solution, this is your best bet. Guaranteed this would happen to a Toyota or Nissan if it wasn't a GMC, it sucks, but the solution would be the same. Toyota or any other brand would sell the same part, but at $30 more.