Mirrors: Description and Operation

EXTERIOR MIRRORS
INTRODUCTION
Power operated outside rear view mirrors are an available factory-installed option on this model. Heated outside power mirrors are an available factory-installed option on quad cab models that are also equipped with the optional rear window defogger.

POWER MIRROR SYSTEM
The power operated or power operated and heated outside rear view mirrors allow the driver to adjust both outside mirrors electrically from the driver side front seat position by operating a switch on the driver side front door trim panel. The power mirrors receive a non-switched battery feed through a fuse in the junction block so that the system will remain operational, regardless of the ignition switch position.

The heated mirror option is available only on quad cab models with the rear window defogger option. The heated mirrors include an electric heating grid behind the mirror glass in each outside mirror, which can clear the mirror glass of ice, snow, or fog. The heating grid receives fused battery current through the relay integral to the rear window defogger switch only when the ignition switch is in the ON position, and the rear,window defogger system is turned on. Refer to Rear Window Defogger System in Electrically Heated Systems for more information.

Following are general descriptions of the major components in the power mirror system. Refer to the owner's manual in the vehicle glove box for more information on the features, use and operation of the power mirror system.

POWER MIRROR
Each power mirror head contains two electric motors, two drive mechanisms, and the mirror glass. One motor and drive controls mirror up-and-down movement, and the other controls right-and-left movement.

The power mirrors in vehicles equipped with the available heated mirror system option also include an electric heating grid located behind the mirror glass. This heating grid is energized by the relay integral to the rear window defogger switch only when the ignition switch is in the ON position, and the rear window defogger system is turned on. Refer to Rear Window Defogger System in Electrically Heated Systems for more information.

The power mirror assembly cannot be repaired. If any component of the power mirror unit is faulty or damaged, the entire power mirror unit must be replaced.

POWER MIRROR SWITCH
Both the right and left power outside mirrors are controlled by a single multi-function switch unit located on and mounted to the upper flag area of the driver side door trim panel. The switch knob is rotated clockwise (right mirror control), or counterclockwise (left mirror control) to select the mirror to be adjusted. The switch knob is then moved in a joystick fashion to control movement of the selected mirror up, down, right, or left.

The power mirror switch cannot be repaired and, if faulty or damaged, it must be replaced. The power mirror switch knob is available for service replacement.

OUTSIDE MIRROR HEATING GRID
Vehicles equipped with the optional heated mirror system have an electric heating grid located behind the mirror glass of each outside rear view mirror. The heated mirrors are controlled by the rear window defogger switch. Electrical current is directed to the heating grid inside the mirror only when the rear window defogger switch is in the ON position.

If the outside mirror heating grids are both inoperative, see Rear Window Defogger System in the Diagnosis and Testing. If only one of the outside mirror heating grids is inoperative, see Power Mirror System in the Diagnosis and Testing of Power Mirror Systems for diagnosis of the outside mirror heating grid.

The heating grid behind each outside mirror glass cannot be repaired and, if faulty or damaged, the entire power mirror unit must be replaced. Refer to Power Mirror in the Removal and Installation of Power Mirror Systems for the service procedures.

INTERIOR MIRRORS
INTRODUCTION
An automatic dimming inside day/night rear view mirror is an available factory-installed option on this model.

AUTOMATIC DAY/NIGHT MIRROR SYSTEM
The automatic day/night mirror system is able to automatically change the reflectance of the inside rear view mirror in order to reduce the glare of headlamps approaching the vehicle from the rear. The automatic day/night rear view mirror receives battery current through a fuse in the junction block only when the ignition switch is in the ON position.

A switch located on the bottom of the automatic day/night mirror housing allows the vehicle operator to select whether the automatic dimming feature is operational. When the automatic day/night mirror is turned on, the mirror switch is lighted by an integral Light-Emitting Diode (LED). The mirror will automatically disable its self-dimming feature whenever the vehicle is being driven in reverse.

Following is a general description of the automatic day/night mirror. Refer to the vehicle glove box for more information on the features, use and operation of the automatic day/night mirror system.

AUTOMATIC DAY/NIGHT MIRROR
The automatic day/night mirror uses a thin layer of electrochromic material between two pieces of conductive glass to make up the face of the mirror. When the mirror switch is in the ON position, two photocell sensors are used by the mirror circuitry to monitor external light levels and adjust the reflectance of the mirror.

The ambient photocell sensor is located on the forward-facing (windshield side) of the rear view mirror housing, and detects the ambient light levels outside of the vehicle. The headlamp photocell sensor is located inside the rear view mirror housing behind the mirror glass and faces rearward, to detect the level of the light being received at the rear window side of the mirror. When the circuitry of the automatic day/night mirror detects that the difference between the two light levels is too great (the light level received at the rear of the mirror is much higher than that at the front of the mirror), it begins to darken the mirror.

The automatic day/night mirror circuitry also monitors the transmission using an input from the backup lamp circuit. The mirror circuitry is programmed to automatically disable its self-dimming feature whenever it senses that the transmission backup lamp circuit is energized.

The automatic day/night mirror is a completely self-contained unit and cannot be repaired. If faulty or damaged, the entire mirror assembly must be replaced.