GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Outside Rearview Mirror System Components

The power outside rearview mirror system consists of the following components:

    • Mirror direction switch--Controls the left, right, up, and down movements of the driver and passenger outside mirrors
    • Mirror select switch--Used to select the mirror to be adjusted
    • Driver outside rearview mirror--Contains the horizontal and vertical mirror motors
    • Passenger outside rearview mirror--Contains the horizontal and vertical mirror motors
    • MIRRORS 5 A fuse--Located in the underhood fuse block

Outside Rearview Mirror Controls

The outside rearview mirrors are controlled by the outside rearview mirror switch located on the driver door. The outside rearview mirror switch contains a mirror select switch and a 4 position mirror direction switch. The mirror select switch is a 2 position switch (L, R), used to select the mirror to be adjusted. The mirror direction switch is used to control the mirror in the up, down, left, and right directions.

Outside Rearview Mirror Operation

The outside rearview mirror switch receives battery voltage from the 5 A MIRRORS fuse located in the underhood fuse block. The outside rearview mirror switch receives a constant ground.

The 4 positions of the direction switch have multiple switch contacts. When not in use, the directional contacts are isolated from any circuit. Each of the contacts are connected to opposing sides of the appropriate mirror motors through the selector switch. The selector switch interrupts or completes these circuits depending on the position of the selector switch, L or R.

If the mirror select switch is placed in the L position and the up switch is pressed, battery voltage will be supplied to the driver outside mirror vertical motor through the driver mirror motor up control circuit and return to the mirror switch through the driver mirror motor left/down control circuit, then to ground and the mirror will move up. If the down switch is pressed, the driver mirror motor left/down control circuit supplies battery voltage and the driver mirror motor up control circuit completes the path to the mirror switch, then to ground and the mirror will move down.

The remainder of the mirror functions operate in the same manner as described above. Placing the mirror control switch in opposing positions, left/right or up/down, will reverse the voltage polarity to the mirror motor, utilizing the same circuits and the mirror will move accordingly.