Principles of Operation

Rear View Mirrors - Exterior

Principles of Operation

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 mirror 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.

Only vehicles equipped with memory exterior rear view mirrors are capable of setting DTCs.

Non-Memory Exterior Mirrors

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

Memory Exterior Mirrors

The memory exterior mirror control system uses the exterior mirror control switch, Driver Seat Module (DSM) and the LH and RH exterior mirror motors to control the movement of the LH and RH exterior mirror glass. The exterior mirror control switch sends voltage and ground input signals to the DSM (Driver Seat Module). The DSM (Driver Seat Module) will provide the appropriate voltage and ground to the requested mirror motor in order to move the mirror motor to the desired position.

The memory mirror function recalls the preferred positioning of the exterior mirrors. Memory is activated by the door mounted switches or the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter. The DSM (Driver Seat Module) constantly tracks the exterior mirror position by using the potentiometers in the exterior mirror assembly. The positions remain in memory as long as the DSM (Driver Seat Module) retains power. When a memory position is recalled by the operator, 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 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.

For 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 power is supplied by the rear window defrost relay through Battery Junction Box (BJB) fuse 49 (10A), which isolates the heated exterior mirror system from the rear window defrost system in the event of a concern.