Mirrors: Description and Operation
Rear View Mirrors
COMPONENT LOCATION
NOTE:
RHD (right-hand drive) shown, LHD (left-hand drive) similar
OVERVIEW
Rear view mirrors consist of an interior mirror on the windshield, an exterior mirror on each front door cheater.
Interior Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Interior Mirror (All Except Japan)
The interior rear view mirror is provided as a electrically operated automatic dimming type.
The automatic dimming mirror comprises an electro-chromatic glass housed within a surrounding case that is attached with a ball joint connector to the mirror stem.
Light sensors are mounted on the front and rear of the mirror surround case. The sensors control the automatic dimming feature to reduce glare from the headlights of following vehicles.
The automatic dimming function is permanently active when the ignition is in power mode 4 (Accessory) and power mode 6 (Ignition). The forward facing light sensor monitors the ambient light level at the front of the vehicle; the rearward facing light sensor monitors the light level coming from the rear of the vehicle. When light from the rear of the vehicle exceeds the ambient light level from the front of the vehicle, the automatic dimming circuit darkens the interior mirror surface.
Automatic dimming is inhibited when reverse gear is selected to provide the driver with maximum vision. On vehicles with automatic transmission, the reverse gear signal is provided by the TCM (transmission control module) via the high speed CAN bus to the CJB (central junction box). The CJB (central junction box) then provides a power feed to the mirror. On vehicles with manual transmission, the reverse gear signal is provided by a transmission switch that is hardwired to the CJB (central junction box).
Automatic dimming interior mirrors are connected to the vehicle wiring by an electrical connector in the mounting stem. The electrochromic mirror circuits and, where fitted, the universal transmitter, are powered by a feed from the CJB (central junction box) when the ignition is in power mode 6.
Universal Transmitter
WARNING: The universal transmitter must not be used with any garage door that lacks safety 'stop' and 'reverse' features, as required by federal safety standards (this includes any garage or door opener model manufactured before April 1 1982). A garage door opener which cannot 'detect' an object in the path of a closing door and then automatically 'stop' and 'reverse' the door, does not meet current federal safety standards. Using a garage door opener without these features increases the risk of serious injury or death.
NOTE:
Universal transmitter is market dependant
NOTE:
HomeLink is a registered trademark owned by Johnson Controls Inc.
The universal transmitter can operate up to 3 home or office remotely operated systems (e.g. garage door/gate openers, lighting and security systems), replacing the individual hand held transmitters required for each system. The universal transmitter can learn the radio frequency codes of most current transmitters.
NOTE:
Universal transmitter frequencies vary across markets
The universal transmitter incorporates 3 buttons, one for each channel, and an amber LED (light emitting diode) installed on the underside of the interior mirror. When one of the buttons is pressed the universal transmitter outputs the radio signal programmed for the related channel (if any) and illuminates the LED (light emitting diode) to confirm transmission.
For information on programming the universal transmitter, refer to the 'Owners Handbook'.
High Beam Assist
The high beam assist system is controlled by a high beam assist control module which is located in the interior rear view mirror body. The module and the CJB are connected via the medium speed CAN bus.
The high beam assist control module receives a power supply from the CJB when the ignition is in power mode 6 (ignition on). The rear view mirror also includes a low resolution camera (image) sensor which detects headlamps and tail lamps of preceding vehicles. The sensor is connected to the control module which evaluates the image data, checking for light intensity and location.
If conditions are correct and auto high beam assist has been activated, the control module will activate the high beam assist by sending a high or low beam request message to the CJB via the medium speed CAN bus. The CJB then controls the shutter in the Xenon projector module together with the high beam fill-in lamp. For additional information, refer to Exterior Lighting Exterior Lighting
EXTERIOR MIRRORS
Hi Line Mirror
Low Line Mirror
The exterior mirrors are bolted to the front door structure and incorporate the following features:
- Convex mirror glass.
- Electric adjustment.
- Mirror heating.
- Automatic dimming (model and market dependant).
- Memory recall and reverse dipping (model and market dependant).
- Mirror fold back function (model and market dependant).
- Approach lighting (model dependant). For additional information, refer to Interior Lighting Interior Lighting
- Proximity cameras (model dependant).
- Ambient air temperature sensor (LH (left-hand)mirror only)
Operation of the exterior mirrors is controlled by the 2 front door modules and the CJB (central junction box). The door modules and the CJB (central junction box) communicate with each other. The door modules interpret the signals and control switch inputs into appropriate outputs for the exterior mirrors. For operation of the various exterior mirror functions the 2 door modules are powered by a permanent battery feed from the CJB (central junction box).
Heating
Heating of the exterior mirrors is controlled by the CJB (central junction box) and the respective door modules, and is active while the ignition is in power mode 6 or 7.
The CJB (central junction box) receives the ambient air temperature value from the instrument cluster via the CAN (controller area network) bus. The CJB (central junction box) converts the ambient air temperature value to an on-time percentage and transmits it on the medium speed CAN (controller area network) bus to the two door modules, which then energize the exterior mirror heating elements accordingly. The on-time percentage is increased while the windshield wipers are on.
On vehicles with the parked heating function, exterior mirror heating may also operate when the parked heating function is active, depending on the ambient air temperature. For additional information, refer to Auxiliary Heater Description and Operation
Dimming
Exterior mirrors with automatic dimming are slaved to the interior mirror. The interior mirror determines the amount of dimming required and energizes the electrochromic elements in the exterior mirrors accordingly. Feed and ground wires from the interior mirror, for the electrochromic elements in the exterior mirrors, bypass the door modules and connect directly to the exterior mirrors.
Mirror Memory
The seat, exterior mirrors and steering column memory functions are integrated into the CJB (central junction box).
The driver and front passenger door modules control the mirror memory while the driver seat module controls the seat and the CJB (central junction box) controls the steering column memory.
Located on the outboard side of the driver seat plinth, the memory switch and memory pre-set buttons can be used to store 3 different mirror positions. When a position is stored or recalled, the information is transmitted to the CJB (central junction box) via the medium speed CAN (controller area network). It is then relayed to the door modules. Each door module evaluates the recalling and storage commands transmitted via the medium speed CAN (controller area network) for positions 1 to 3 and performs the necessary adjustments.
If a manual adjustment is selected while the mirror memory is operating, it will over-ride the memory recall function.
For mirror memory to operate, the mirror adjustment potentiometers must deliver a voltage value in the range of 80mV - 4.8V. Should a voltage applied be outside of this range the mirror will not operate when memory is selected.
Reverse Dipping
If the customer has activated reverse dipping when reverse gear is selected and the vehicle is in power mode 6 or 7, the driver and passenger exterior mirrors dip to provide a better view of the curb. The mirrors return to their original position immediately upon reverse gear being disengaged.
The curb view mirror position can be adjusted using the mirror adjustment multi-directional switch while reverse gear is selected and the vehicle in power mode 6 or 7.
Blind Spot Monitoring
NOTE:
Some variation in the illustrations may occur, but the essential information is always correct.
Blind spot monitoring function alerts the driver to a vehicle located in the vehicle blind spot. A warning indicator is located in each exterior mirror towards the outer edge. For additional information, refer to Blind Spot Monitoring System Blind Spot Monitoring System
CONTROL DIAGRAM
NOTE:
RHD (right-hand drive) shown, LHD (left-hand drive) similar
A = Hardwired; N = Medium Speed CAN (controller area network); O = LIN Bus
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
Electrochromic Mirror
The electrochromic mirrors automatically dim to reduce glare from the headlights of following vehicles in dark or low light conditions. In addition to dimming the interior mirror, the electrochromic mirror circuits also control the dimming of the two exterior mirrors, via power feed and ground connections with the 2 exterior mirrors.
A light sensor on the front of the interior mirror monitors ambient light at the front of the vehicle and a light sensor in the interior mirror glass monitors the light coming from behind the vehicle. When the light from behind the vehicle exceeds the ambient light level, the electrochromic circuits simultaneously dim the interior and exterior mirrors. Dimming is inhibited when reverse gear is selected. The interior mirror is provided with a reverse gear signal by the LCM (lighting control module).