Principles of Operation

PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION

Exterior Power Mirrors
The exterior mirrors are controlled by the exterior mirror control switch. The exterior mirror control switch is hardwired to the left and right exterior power mirrors, and either mirror can be selected by moving the mirror select switch to either the right or left exterior mirror position. The exterior mirror control switch supplies power and ground to the appropriate exterior rear view mirror motor to move the exterior rear view mirror glass to the desired position.

Memory Exterior Mirror
The optional memory exterior mirror feature allows the driver to store personalized mirror positions that can be recalled using the memory switches or remote transmitter. There are 3 available memory settings. The power driver seat and pedal positions are also stored, and recalled with the memory exterior rear view mirrors positions.

The driver seat module (DSM) constantly tracks mirror position. Each exterior mirror motor is equipped with a potentiometer, which the DSM uses to monitor the mirror position. This position remains in memory as long as the module retains power. When a position is stored in memory by the operator, the module will retain this position in memory for future recall. When a memory position is recalled by the operator, the DSM will power the exterior mirror motors simultaneously and monitor the potentiometer circuits. When the stored memory position is reached, the DSM will remove power from the motors. If the exterior mirror control switch is operated during a memory recall, the DSM will stop the memory recall and respond to the exterior mirror control switch command.

Heated Exterior Mirror
The heated exterior mirror feature will only function when the rear window defrost is operating. There is no separate control for heated exterior mirrors; they function anytime the rear window defrost is ON. The heated mirror power is supplied by the rear window defrost relay through a separate central junction box (CJB) fuse that isolates the heated mirrors from the rear window defrost in the event of a concern.

Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror
The interior rear view mirror may be equipped with an auto-dimming option. This feature automatically reduces the glare caused by headlamps reflecting in the mirror. The auto-dimming feature is disabled when the vehicle is in REVERSE. Power is supplied to the auto-dimming interior mirror when the ignition is in the RUN or ACC position.

The auto-dimming feature has 2 photoelectric sensors that detect forward and rear light conditions, and based on those inputs, adjusts the reflectance level of the mirror to eliminate unwanted glare. The reflectance level of the mirror glass is variable and depends on the amount of rear glare in relation to ambient light conditions in front of the interior mirror.

When the forward sensor detects daytime conditions, the rear sensor is inactive, and the mirror stays in a high reflectance mode. When the forward sensor detects nighttime conditions, the rear sensor is active and detects glare from the headlights of vehicles approaching from the rear, or other glare producing light sources. To provide increased visibility when backing up, the mirror will automatically return to a high reflectance mode whenever the shifter is placed in REVERSE.

If the forward or rear sensors are blocked, the auto-dimming interior mirror might not work correctly.