Exterior

Rear View Mirrors - Exterior

Principles of Operation

LH and RH exterior mirror glass movement is controlled by the exterior mirror control switch and the LH and RH exterior mirror motors. Adjusting the exterior mirror control switch to the LH or RH position determines which exterior mirror motor to control.

The exterior mirrors use a jumper harness between the vehicle wire harness connector and the exterior mirror motor. The exterior mirror jumper harness is integral to the exterior mirror. Before replacing an exterior mirror or motor, inspect the jumper harness for open and shorted circuits or damaged and pushed-out pins. If a concern with the exterior mirror jumper harness exists, attempt to repair the jumper harness.

Vehicles equipped with memory exterior mirrors are capable of setting DTCs.

Power Exterior Mirrors - Without Memory

Exterior mirror glass logic is the selected request from the exterior mirror control switch. When the switch is adjusted to the left, right, up or down position, voltage and ground is supplied to the selected exterior mirror motor to move the exterior mirror glass to the desired position.

Memory Exterior Mirrors

LH and RH exterior mirror glass movement is controlled by the exterior mirror control switch, Driver Seat Module (DSM) and the LH and RH exterior mirror motors. Adjusting the switch to the LH or RH position determines which exterior mirror motor to control. The switch sends voltage and ground input signals to the DSM (Driver Seat Module). The DSM (Driver Seat Module) provides voltage and ground to the appropriate exterior mirror motor to move the selected exterior mirror glass to the desired position.

The memory function recalls the preferred position of the exterior mirrors when the transaxle is in PARK or NEUTRAL or the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter is activated. The DSM (Driver Seat Module) constantly tracks the exterior mirror motor position using potentiometers located internal to the exterior mirror motors. When a memory position is recalled, the DSM (Driver Seat Module) powers the exterior mirror motors simultaneously and monitors the potentiometer circuits. When the stored memory position is reached, the DSM (Driver Seat Module) removes the voltage and ground from the motors. If the exterior mirror control switch is operated during a memory recall, the DSM (Driver Seat Module) stops the recall and responds to the exterior mirror control switch command. The DSM (Driver Seat Module) is capable of setting a DTC for the memory mirror system when a system concern exists.

For additional information on the DSM (Driver Seat Module) and memory position programming, refer to Seats.

Heated Exterior Mirror

The rear window defrost switch controls the operation of the heated exterior mirror glass. The heated exterior mirror glass only operates when the rear window defrost system is ON. The heated exterior mirror glass voltage is supplied by the rear window defrost relay through Battery Junction Box (BJB) fuse 26 (40A).

On vehicles equipped with a LH auto-dimming exterior mirror, the glass is thicker than the standard mirror glass. As a result, it takes longer for a LH auto-dimming exterior mirror to defrost than a RH heated exterior mirror.

LH Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirror

The LH exterior mirror may be equipped with an auto-dimming feature. This feature automatically reduces the glare caused by headlamps reflecting in the mirror. The interior auto-dimming mirror controls the reflectance level of the LH exterior mirror. The reflectance level of the mirror glass is variable and depends on the amount of rear glare in relation to ambient light conditions in front of the interior mirror. To provide increased visibility when backing up, the interior mirror glass and LH exterior mirror glass automatically return to a high reflectance mode whenever the selector lever is placed in REVERSE.

For additional information and diagnostics, refer to Rear View Mirrors - Interior Testing and Inspection.