Principles of Operation

PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION

There are 2 exterior rear view mirror options, a manually adjustable paddle-style mirror or a power adjustable aero-style mirror. Power mirrors allow the driver or passenger mirror glass to be positioned automatically. The position of the power mirror glass is controlled by the exterior mirror control switch, which is located on the LH front door trim panel. Adjusting the exterior mirror control switch to the LH or RH position determines which power mirror glass will be controlled. If equipped with power folding mirrors, the center position of the exterior mirror control switch allows the power folding mirrors to be folded or unfolded.

The power exterior rear view mirrors are available with a heated glass option, which heats the mirror glass to remove frost, snow, ice and condensation. On vehicles with optional rear window defrost, the heated exterior rear view mirrors are heated for a period of 10 minutes when the rear window defrost switch is pressed.

The power exterior rear view mirrors are available with a power folding option, which allows both exterior mirrors to be extended or retracted from the exterior mirror control switch.

Heated Exterior Rear View Mirror
On vehicles with optional rear window defrost, 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 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 automatic dimming feature has 2 photoelectric sensors that detect forward and rear light conditions. Based on these inputs, the automatic dimming feature adjusts the reflectance level of the mirror glass 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 automatic dimming interior mirror might not work correctly.

Power Folding Mirrors

NOTE: The power folding mirrors must be synchronized any time the mirrors are folded or unfolded without using the mirror control switch, or if a new power folding mirror has been installed. Refer to Exterior Mirror Motor Synchronization - Power Folding. Exterior Mirror Motor Synchronization - Power Folding

The power folding mirror option allows both power mirrors to be folded or unfolded from the exterior mirror control switch. When the exterior mirror switch is set to the power folding mirror (center) position and pressed rearward and released, the mirrors will fold in if they are folded out, or unfold if they are folded in. The power folding mirrors contain a drive motor which is not replaceable. If a power fold motor is inoperative, a new power folding mirror assembly must be installed. The mirror glass motor, mirror glass, turn signal indicator and puddle lamp are the only replaceable components in a power folding mirror. If the power folding mirrors are folded or unfolded continuously (6 to 10 cycles), the power lockout feature will disable the system for 2 minutes to prevent damage to the power fold motors. After 2 minutes have elapsed, normal operation will resume.