Principles Of Operation

Rear View Mirrors - Exterior

Principles of Operation

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

If equipped with power folding mirrors, the center position of the exterior mirror control switch controls the power folding mirrors.

If equipped with power telescoping mirrors, the telescoping mirror control switch, located on the LH door trim panel, allows the power telescoping mirrors to be extended or retracted.

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, an attempt to repair the jumper harness should be made.

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

Power Exterior Mirrors - Without Memory

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.

Heated Exterior Mirrors

The heated mirror switch controls the operation of the heated exterior rear view mirror glass and if equipped, the heated spotter mirror glass. The heated mirror switch is an integral part of the HVAC module. Voltage is supplied to the LH and RH heated exterior mirrors by the heated mirror relay through Battery Junction Box (BJB) fuse 23. The heated mirrors are heated for a period of 10 minutes when the engine is running and the heated mirror switch is pressed to the ON position.

Memory Exterior Mirrors

The movement of the LH and RH exterior mirror glass is controlled by the exterior mirror control switch, Driver Seat Module (DSM) and the LH and RH exterior mirror motors. Adjusting the exterior mirror switch to the LH or RH position determines which exterior mirror motor will be controlled. The exterior mirror control switch sends voltage and ground input signals to the DSM. The DSM will provide the appropriate voltage and ground to the appropriate 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 when the transmission is in the PARK or NEUTRAL position and the door mounted switches or the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter are activated. The DSM constantly tracks the exterior mirror position by using the potentiometers in the exterior mirror motors. The positions remain in memory as long as the DSM retains power. When a memory position is recalled by the operator, the DSM powers the exterior mirror motors simultaneously and monitors the potentiometer circuits. When the stored memory position is reached, the DSM removes the voltage and ground from the motors. If the exterior mirror control switch is operated during a memory recall, the DSM stops the recall and responds to the exterior mirror control switch command. The DSM is capable of setting a DTC for the memory mirror system when a system concern exists.

For information on the DSM and memory position programming, refer to Seats.

Power Folding Mirrors

NOTE: The power folding mirrors may need to be synchronized when the RH, LH or both power folding mirrors are partially folded in toward the door manually, and then folded inward using the power folding mirror control switch. Refer to Exterior Mirror Motor Synchronization - Power Folding Programming and Relearning.

The power folding mirror feature allows the LH and RH power exterior rear view mirrors to be folded or unfolded from the exterior mirror control switch. The power folding mirrors are controlled by the power folding mirror module. When the exterior mirror control switch is set to the center position and pressed rearward to the FOLD/UNFOLD position, the mirrors will fold inward towards the door if they are folded out, or unfold outward if they are folded in. The RH and LH power folding mirrors will fold and unfold at the same time and cannot be controlled independently. The power folding mirrors contain a drive motor which is not replaceable. If a power folding mirror motor is found to be inoperative, a new power folding exterior rear view mirror assembly must be installed. If the power folding mirrors are folded or unfolded continuously for 10 cycles, the power lockout feature will disable the system for approximately 3-1/2 minutes to prevent damage to the power fold motors. After 3-1/2 minutes have elapsed, normal operation will resume.

Power Telescoping Mirrors

The power telescoping mirror feature allows the LH and RH power exterior mirrors to be extended or retracted electronically using the telescoping rear view mirror control switch. When the telescoping rear view mirror control switch is pressed to the outward position, the exterior rear view mirrors will extend. When the telescoping rear view mirror control switch is pressed to the inward position, the exterior rear view mirrors will retract. The RH and LH power telescoping mirrors can be adjusted inward or outward to a desired position by momentarily pressing and releasing the power telescoping mirror control switch. The RH and LH power telescoping mirrors will extend and retract at the same time and cannot be controlled independently. The power telescoping mirrors contain a drive motor which is not replaceable. If a power telescoping motor is found to be inoperative, a new power telescoping exterior rear view mirror assembly must be installed.