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 procedure.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides and overview of each diagnostic category.

Circuit/System Description

The outside rearview mirror switch receives battery voltage from the 5A MIR 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.

Schematic Reference

Outside Rearview Mirror Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Mirror Connector End Views

Electrical Information Reference

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

Circuit/System Testing

Power Mirrors Malfunction

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the outside rearview mirror switch.
  2. Ignition OFF, test for less than 1.0 ohm of resistance between the ground circuit terminal B and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  4. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the outside rearview mirror switch voltage supply circuit terminal G and ground.
  5. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the voltage supply circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance.
  6. Ignition OFF, disconnect the inoperative outside rearview mirror.
  7. Connect a test lamp between the appropriate power mirror motor controls circuit at the power mirror motor harness connector.
  8. Ignition ON, operate the inoperative power mirror to the positions being tested.
  9. If the test lamp does not illuminate as the switch is activated, test the power mirror motor control circuits for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuits test normal, test or replace the outside rearview mirror switch.
  10. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the inoperative outside rearview mirror.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Outside Rearview Mirror Replacement
    •  Power Mirror Switch Replacement