Mirrors: Description and Operation

Fig.1 Power Mirror Switch:

POWER MIRRORS
The available power operated sideview mirrors allow the driver to adjust both outside mirrors electrically from the drivers seat by operating a switch on the driver side front door trim panel.

The power mirrors receive ignition current through a fuse in the junction block, and will only operate when the ignition switch is in the Run position.

AUTOMATIC DAY/NIGHT MIRROR

Rear View Mirror
An automatic day/night mirror system is an available factory-installed option on this model. The automatic dimming inside day/night rear view mirror system is a completely self-contained unit that replaces the standard equipment inside rear view mirror. This system will automatically change the reflectance of the inside rear view mirror to protect the driver from the unwanted headlight glare of trailing vehicles while driving at night. The automatic day/night inside mirror receives ignition switched battery current through a fuse in the junction block, and will only operate when the ignition switch is in the On position.

Vehicles equipped with the automatic day/night mirror system are also available with an optional factory-installed automatic dimming outside rear view mirror for the driver side of the vehicle.

The automatic day/night mirror sensitivity cannot be repaired or adjusted. If any component of this unit is faulty or damaged, the entire automatic day/night inside rear view mirror unit must be replaced.

The automatic day/night mirror switch allows the driver a manual control of whether the automatic dimming feature is operational. This switch is a momentary rocker-type switch located on the lower rear-facing surface of the mirror housing. When Auto is selected, a Light-Emitting Diode (LED) on the mirror housing just to the right of the switch illuminates to indicate that automatic day/night mirror is turned on. When Off is selected, the LED is turned off. The mirror also senses the backup lamp circuit, and will automatically disable its self-dimming feature whenever the transmission gear selector is in the Reverse position.

A thin layer of electrochromatic material between two pieces of conductive glass make up the face of the mirror. Two photocell sensors are used to monitor light levels and adjust the reflectance of the mirror. The ambient photocell sensor faces forward, to detect the outside light levels. The headlamp sensor is located on the mirror housing just to the left of the switch and facing rearward, to detect the light level received at the rear window side of the mirror. When the difference between the two light levels becomes too great (the light level received at the rear of the mirror is much higher than that at the front of the mirror), the mirror begins to darken.

On models with an optional driver side automatic dimming outside mirror, the signal to control the dimming of that mirror is generated by the automatic day/night inside rear view mirror circuitry. That signal is then delivered to the driver side outside rear view mirror on a hard wired circuit.

See the owner's manual in the vehicle glove box for more information on the features, use and operation of the automatic day/night mirror system.

Outside Rear View Mirror
An automatic dimming outside rear view mirror is an available factory-installed option for the driver side of the vehicle, if the vehicle is also equipped with the automatic day/night inside rear view mirror. The automatic dimming outside mirror is completely controlled by the circuitry of the automatic day/night inside rear view mirror. The automatic dimming outside mirror will automatically change the reflectance of the driver side outside rear view mirror to protect the driver from the unwanted headlight glare of trailing vehicles while driving at night. The automatic dimming outside mirror will only operate when the ignition switch is in the On position.

The automatic dimming outside mirror sensitivity cannot be repaired or adjusted. If any component of this unit is faulty or damaged, the entire automatic dimming outside mirror unit must be replaced.

The automatic dimming outside mirror is operated by the same controls and circuitry as the automatic day/night mirror. When the automatic day/night mirror is turned on or off, the automatic dimming outside mirror is likewise turned on or off. Like in the automatic day/night mirror, a thin layer of electrochromatic material between two pieces of conductive glass make up the face of the automatic dimming outside mirror. However, the signal to control the dimming of the outside mirror is generated by the automatic day/night inside rear view mirror circuitry.

See the owner's manual in the vehicle glove box for more information on the features, use and operation of the automatic dimming outside mirror.