GM Service Manual Online
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.

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Ignition

1

1

--

--

Automatic Day/Night Mirror Control

2

2

2

--

Backup Lamp Control

1

1

1

--

Automatic Day/Night Mirror Ground

--

2

2

--

Ground

--

1

1

--

1. Rearview mirror automatic dimming malfunction

2. Outside rearview mirror automatic dimming malfunction

Circuit/System Description

The inside rearview mirror uses 2 photocell sensors. One sensor is the rear light sensor, located on the face side of the mirror, facing the rear of the vehicle. The rear light sensor is used to determine light conditions present at the mirror face. The other sensor is the front light sensor, located on the backside of the mirror, facing the front of the vehicle. The front light sensor is used to determine the exterior light conditions at the front of the vehicle. With a low exterior light condition detected by the front light sensor and a high light condition from the rear light sensor, the inside rearview mirror will automatically darken the face of the inside rearview mirror and the left outside rearview mirror. The inside rearview mirror provides a control circuit and a ground circuit to the left mirror face to darken the mirror when needed.

With the gear selector lever in the REVERSE position, backup lamp supply voltage is supplied as an input to the inside rearview mirror. The mirror monitors this input to disable the automatic day-night feature. This allows the driver to see objects in the mirror clearly when backing up, regardless of the rear light sensor status.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

    •  Inside Rearview Mirror Schematics
    •  Outside Rearview Mirror Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Automatic Day-Night Mirror Description and Operation

Electrical Information Reference

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

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

Circuit/System Verification

  1. Ignition ON, headlamps ON, vehicle in PARK, cover the front light sensor with a towel or other suitable item. Shine a flashlight at the rear light sensor while observing the outside rearview mirror face. The outside rearview mirror face should dim.
  2. Place the transmission in REVERSE. The outside rearview mirror face should transition from dim to bright.

Circuit/System Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the X1 harness connector at the driver outside rearview mirror.
  2. Ignition OFF, verify that a test lamp illuminates between B+ and the ground circuit terminal G.
  3. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the inside rearview mirror.
  4. Ignition ON, test for less than 1 volt between the control circuit terminal D and ground.
  5. If greater than the specified range, test the control circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the inside rearview mirror.
  6. Headlamps ON, vehicle in PARK, cover the front light sensor with a towel or other suitable item. Shine a flashlight at the rear light sensor. Test for greater than 1 volt between the signal circuit terminal D and ground.
  7. If less than the specified range, test the control circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the inside rearview mirror.
  8. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the driver outside rearview mirror face.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Inside Rearview Mirror Replacement
    •  Outside Rearview Mirror Glass Replacement