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For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category

Circuit/System Description

The Driver Door Switch (DDS) or Passenger Door Switch (PDS) controls the mirror horizontal and vertical motors through the use of bi-directional motor controls. When the mirror is commanded up, voltage is supplied to the mirror vertical motor through the Left/Right Mirror Motor - Up/Right Control circuit and ground is supplied through the Left/Right Mirror Motor Down Control circuit. When the mirror is commanded down, voltage is supplied to the mirror vertical motor through the Left/Right Mirror Motor Down Control circuit and ground is supplied through the Left/Right Mirror Motor - Up/Right Control circuit.

Horizontal controls operate in the same manner with the Left/Right Mirror Motor - Up/Right Control circuit supplying voltage and the Left/Right Mirror Motor Left Control circuit supply a ground to the mirror horizontal motor when the mirror is commanded right. When the mirror is commanded left, voltage is supplied to the mirror horizontal motor through the Left/Right Mirror Motor Left Control circuit and ground is supplied through the Left/Right Mirror Motor - Up/Right Control circuit.

The Driver Door Switch (DDS) and Passenger Door Switch (PDS) determine the position of the outside rearview mirrors based on inputs from two mirror position sensors, one for vertical position, the other for horizontal position. 5 volts is applied to each sensor through a shared 5-volt reference circuit and a shared low reference circuit supplies ground. Each sensor has an individual signal circuit which provides position voltage to the DDS/PDS.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Outside Rearview Mirror Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Mirror Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Outside Mirror Description and Operation

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

Scan Tool Reference

    •  Scan Tool Data List
    •  Scan Tool Data Definitions

Circuit/System Verification

  1. Ignition ON, observe the scan tool Mirror Select Switch parameter while cycling the mirror select switch between the left and right positions. The parameter should change between Idle, Right, and Left.
  2. If the parameter does not cycle between the specified values, replace the DDS.
  3. Observe the scan tool Mirror Horizontal Position and Mirror Vertical Position parameters. The reading should be between .2 volts and 4.8 volts and change as the mirror is moved, left, right, up, and down.
  4. If not within the specified range or the parameter does not change as the mirror is moved, refer to Mirror Position Sensor Circuit Malfunction.
  5. Observe the scan tool Mirror Motor parameter while cycling the mirror directional switch between the up, down, left and right positions. The parameter should change between Idle, Up, Down, Left, and Right.
  6. If the parameter does not cycle between the specified values, replace the DDS.
  7. Command the left and right outside mirror to move up, down, left and right using the mirror directional switch. The mirror should move in the commanded direction.
  8. If either mirror does not move in all commanded directions, refer to Mirror Motor Circuit Malfunction.

Circuit/System Testing

Mirror Position Sensor Circuit Malfunction

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector C2 at the appropriate outside rearview mirror.
  2. Ignition OFF, test for less than 1.0 ohm of resistance between the low reference circuit terminal 7 and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified range, test the low reference circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the appropriate door switch.
  4. Ignition ON, test for 4.8 - 5.2 volts between the 5-volt reference circuit terminal 3 and ground.
  5. If greater than the specified range, test the 5-volt reference circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the appropriate door switch.
    If less than the specified range, test the 5-volt reference circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the appropriate door switch.
  6. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal 5 and the low reference circuit terminal 7. Verify the scan tool Mirror Vertical Position parameter is less than .2 volts.
  7. If less than the specified range, test the signal circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the appropriate door switch.
  8. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal 6 and the low reference circuit terminal 7. Verify the scan tool Mirror Horizontal Position parameter is less than .2 volts.
  9. If less than the specified range, test the signal circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the appropriate door switch.
  10. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal 5 and the 5-volt reference circuit terminal 3. Verify the scan tool Mirror Vertical Position parameter is greater than 4.8 volts.
  11. If less than the specified range, test the signal circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the appropriate door switch.
  12. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal 6 and the 5-volt reference circuit terminal 3. Verify the scan tool Mirror Horizontal Position parameter is greater than 4.8 volts.
  13. If less than the specified range, test the signal circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the appropriate door switch.
  14. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the appropriate outside rearview mirror motor.

Mirror Motor Circuit Malfunction

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector C1 at the outside rearview mirror.
  2. Install a test lamp between the control circuit terminal 11 and the control circuit terminal 10.
  3. Ignition ON, commanded the mirror left and right using the mirror directional switch. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF as the mirror commanded to the left and right.
  4. If the test lamp does not turn ON and OFF when cycling between the commanded states, test both control circuit for a short to voltage, a short to ground, or an open/high resistance. If the circuits test normal, replace the applicable door switch.
  5. Ignition OFF, install a test lamp between the control circuit terminal 10 and the control circuit terminal 9.
  6. Ignition ON, commanded the mirror up and down using the mirror directional switch. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF as the mirror commanded up and down.
  7. If the test lamp does not turn ON and OFF when cycling between the commanded states, test both control circuit for a short to voltage, a short to ground, or an open/high resistance. If the circuits test normal, replace the applicable door switch.
  8. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the outside rearview mirror motor.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Outside Rearview Mirror Motor Replacement
    •  Control Module References for DDS or PDS replacement, setup, and programming