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

Power Mirror Switch Supply Voltage Circuit

1

1

--

--

Power Mirror Switch Ground Circuit

--

1

1

--

Mirror Switch

1

1

1

--

Outside Rear View Mirror Motor control circuit

1

1

1

--

1 Power Mirror Inoperative

Circuit/System Description

The outside rearview mirror switch supplies the voltage and the ground for the rearview mirror motors. Depending on what circuits are supplied the voltage and ground will determine the direction the mirror will move.

Diagnostic Aids

    • The mirror motors for each side use a common circuit to operate.
    • The mirror motors are bi-directional. When power and ground are reversed the motor will also reverse in direction.
    • The condition of inoperative power mirror can be caused by the following conditions:
       - An open outside rearview mirror switch ground circuit
       - An open driver mirror motor left control circuit--When the driver mirror motor left control circuit is open the driver mirror motor may seek an alternate circuit path through the passenger mirror motor.
       - An open passenger mirror motor left control circuit--When the passenger mirror motor left control circuit is open the passenger mirror motor may seek an alternate circuit path through the driver mirror motor.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Outside Rearview Mirror Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Vehicle Access Connector End Views

Electrical Information Reference

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

Circuit/System Verification

Ignition ON, operate the outside rearview mirror switch in the desired direction. While operating the switch observer desired mirror for movement in the desired direction.

Circuit/System Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the power mirror switch of the outside rearview mirror.
  2. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the voltage supply circuit and ground.
  3. If the test lamp does not illuminate, repair the voltage supply circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance.
  4. Ignition OFF, test for less than 1 ohm of resistance between the ground circuit and ground.
  5. If greater than 1 ohm, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  6. Test for 25-95 ohms of resistance between the control terminal and the ground terminal of each motor control circuit.
  7. If the resistance is not within the specified range, test the circuits for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuits test normal, replace the outside rearview mirror.
  8. If all circuits test normal, replace the power mirror switch.

Component Testing

Outside Rearview/Power Mirror Switch Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the power mirror switch of the outside rearview mirror.
  2. Test for infinite resistance between each signal terminal and the voltage supply terminal with the switch in the open position.
  3. If less than infinite resistance, replace the power mirror switch.
  4. Test for less than 2 ohms of resistance between each signal terminal and the voltage supply terminal with the switch in the closed position.
  5. If greater than 2 ohms, replace the power mirror switch.

Outside Rearview Mirror Motor Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the outside rearview mirror.
  2. Test for 25-95 ohms of resistance between the control terminal and the ground supply terminal of the individual left or right mirror motor.
  3. If the resistance is not within the specified range, replace the appropriate mirror replacement.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Outside Rearview Mirror Glass Replacement
    •  Outside Rearview Mirror Replacement
    •  Power Mirror Switch Replacement