Rear View Mirrors - System Operation and Component Description

System Operation- Interior Auto-Dimming

The interior auto-dimming mirror uses 2 integral photoelectric sensors to detect exterior lighting conditions. When the forward facing sensor detects daytime conditions, the rearward facing sensor is inactive and the mirror glass stays in a high reflectance mode. When the forward facing sensor detects nighttime conditions, the rearward facing sensor is active. When bright lights (glare) are detected by the rearward facing sensor, the mirror glass is electronically darkened. To provide increased visibility when backing up, the interior rear view mirror automatically returns to a high reflectance mode any time reverse gear is selected, regardless of exterior lighting conditions.

Component Description

Exterior Mirror Control Switch

The exterior mirror control switch is a momentary contact switch, integral to the LH front window control switch, that provides the driver with the controls to move the LH and RH exterior rear view mirrors left, right, up or down. The LED on each exterior mirror selection button illuminates to indicate which exterior mirror is selected for adjustment.

On vehicles equipped with the memory mirror feature, the exterior mirror control switch is connected to the DDM through a LIN circuit.

On vehicles without the memory mirror feature, the exterior mirror control switch provides voltage and ground to the selected exterior mirror motor to move the exterior mirror glass to the desired position.

Exterior Mirror Fold Switch

The exterior mirror fold switch is a momentary contact switch, integral to the LH front window control switch, that sends a ground signal to the power folding mirror relay to fold or unfold the exterior rear view mirrors to the desired position.

Memory Set Switch

The memory set switch contains 3 momentary contact switches. It is hard-wired to the DDM and is used to recall 1 of 3 memory positions stored in the DSM. For more information on the memory set switch, Refer to: Front Seats - System Operation and Component Description (501-10A Front Seats, Description and Operation).

Exterior Mirror

Each exterior mirror has 2 bi-directional motors that are used to control the position of the exterior mirror glass. The sensors used to monitor the mirror glass position are integral to the motors.

If equipped with heated mirrors, the heated exterior mirrors use heating elements that are integral to the exterior mirror glass.

If equipped with power folding mirrors, each exterior mirror has an integral, bi-directional folding motor that is used to fold and unfold the exterior mirror.

If equipped with exterior mirrors that include turn signal indicators and/or puddle lamps, Refer to: Exterior Lighting - System Operation and Component Description (417-01 Exterior Lighting, Description and Operation).

If equipped with exterior mirrors that include blind spot monitoring (BLIS), Refer to: Blind Spot Information System - System Operation and Component Description (419-04 Side and Rear Vision, Description and Operation).

The exterior mirrors use a jumper harness between the vehicle wiring harness, the exterior mirror motors and the heated mirror glass. The exterior mirror jumper harness is integral to the exterior mirror. Before replacing an exterior mirror or motor, inspect the jumper harness for opens, shorted circuits or damaged and pushed-out pins. If a concern with the exterior mirror jumper harness exists, attempt to repair the jumper harness.

DDM

On vehicles equipped with the memory mirrors feature, the DDM monitors the exterior mirror control switch through a LIN circuit. The DDM is responsible for supplying voltage and ground to the LH exterior mirror motors, LH exterior mirror motor sensors and LH exterior mirror glass heating element.