Mirrors: Description and Operation
POWER MIRRORSIf equipped with power mirrors, the control switch is located on the instrument panel to the left of the headlamp switch.
The power mirrors are connected to battery feed at all times. Each mirror head contains two electric motors, two drive mechanisms, an electric heating element, and the mirror glass. If the vehicle is equipped with the optional memory system, each mirror head also contains both a horizontal and a vertical motor position sensor. One motor and drive controls mirror up-and-down movement, and the other controls right-and-left movement.
An optional driver side outside electrochromic mirror is able to automatically change its reflectance level. This mirror is controlled by the circuitry of the automatic day/night inside rear view mirror. A thin layer of electrochromic material between two pieces of conductive glass make up the face of the mirror.
Two photocell sensors on the inside rear view mirror are used to monitor light levels and adjust the reflectance of both the inside and driver side outside mirrors. This change in reflectance helps to reduce the glare of headlamps approaching the vehicle from the rear. (Refer to ELECTRICAL/POWER MIRRORS/ AUTOMATIC DAY / NIGHT MIRROR - DESCRIPTION) for more information on this system.
The motors which operate the mirrors are part of the mirror assembly and cannot be serviced separately.
MEMORY MIRRORS
The memory mirrors are part of the memory system, which is controlled by the Memory Seat/Mirror Module (MSMM). The MSMM is located under the driver's seat. Each outside mirror contains vertical and horizontal bi-directional drive positioning motors and position sensors. The MSMM provides a 5-volt reference on the signal circuit to each position sensor. The sensors share a common ground circuit. The MSMM monitors the position of the mirror motors by measuring the voltage on each signal circuit. When a memory position is set, the MSMM monitors and stores the position of the outside mirrors. The MSMM adjusts the mirrors to the appropriate positions when a memory recall message is received from the RKE or is requested from the memory set switch.
The power mirror switch during non-memory operation operates both mirrors independently of the MSMM.
AUTOMATIC DAY / NIGHT MIRROR
An automatic dimming inside day/night rear view mirror and an automatic dimming driver side outside rear view mirror are available factory-installed options on this model. Following is a general description of this optional equipment.
The automatic day/night mirror is able to automatically change its reflectance. A thin layer of electrochromic 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 to reduce the glare of headlamps approaching the vehicle from the rear.
The ambient photocell sensor faces forward, to detect the outside light levels. A second sensor faces rearward to detect the light level received through the vehicles back window. 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.
The mirror switch allows the driver a manual control of whether the automatic dimming feature is operational. When AUTO is selected a small Light-Emitting Diode (LED), to the right of the mirror switch, is illuminated. The automatic dimming feature will only operate when the ignition switch is in the ON position. 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.
NOTE: The mirror always defaults to an ON state upon ignition.
The driver side automatic dimming mirror is standard with the automatic dimming inside 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.
The automatic day/night mirror cannot be repaired. If faulty or damaged, the entire inside rear view mirror assembly must be replaced.
Fig.3 Power Foldaway Mirror Switch:
POWER FOLDAWAY MIRROR SWITCH - EXPORT
These vehicles may be equipped with Power Fold-away Mirrors This feature allows both the driver and passenger side view mirrors to fold inward (retract) on demand. The vehicle has an additional switch located on the steering column that controls the folding function of the mirror assembly.
The fold-away side view mirror is attached to the vehicle's door in the same manner as mirrors without the fold-away option. The fold-away mirrors unique option is the internal motor which allows the mirrors to fold inward on demand. The fold-away mirror motor is not serviceable separately and if a motor is found to be faulty the entire side view mirror must be replaced.
When the mirror retract switch is depressed, both of the side view mirrors will fold inward, Thus making the overall width of the vehicle the smallest possible. This can be helpful were parking space is a absolute minimum.
When the driver's door is opened, only the driver's door mirror will unfold. If the passenger door is opened, both mirrors will unfold.
The power fold away mirror system consists of the following components: mirror switch, side view mirror, relay wires and fuse. Refer to the appropriate wiring information. The wiring information includes wiring diagrams, proper wire and connector repair procedures, details of wire harness routing and retention, connector pin-out information and location views for the various wire harness connectors, splices and grounds
REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER / HEATED MIRROR / FRONT WIPER DE-ICE
The defroster button located on the HVAC control controls the rear window defogger, heated side view mirrors and front wiper de-icer grid. In addition the front wiper de-ice function is turned on when front defog/defrost mode is selected.
When the defroster button is pushed, the HVAC control sends a bus message over the PCI bus to the Front Control Module (FCM) which controls the Rear Window Defogger relay. The defroster LED will illuminate when the defroster function is on. The defroster will function for 10 minutes or can be cycled off sooner by pressing the defroster button again. The front wiper de-icer grid receives its 12 volts from the accessory relay through fuse 11 and the HVAC control module supplies the grid ground.