GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Outside Mirror Description and Operation Heated Mirrors

Heated Outside Rearview Mirror - RPO DNP and DS3

The Driver Door Switch (DDS) and Passenger Door Switch (PDS) control the activation of the heated mirrors. Upon receiving a serial data message indicating a request for rear window defogging, the DDS and PDS will activate the mirror heater output. The mirror heaters will remain active until a new message is received indicating rear window defogger is deactivated, either by driver input or by expiration of a calibrated timer.

Heated Outside Rearview Mirror - RPO DG6

The rear window defogger systems controls the operation of the driver and passenger rearview mirror heaters. When the rear window defogger switch is depressed, the RR DEFOG relay is activated, sending B+ to the driver and passenger rearview mirror heaters. Each heater also receives an individual ground.

Outside Mirror Description and Operation Power Mirrors

Power Mirror System - RPO DNP

Power Mirror System Components

The power mirror system consists of the following components:

    • Driver Door Switch (DDS)--An electronic control module with integrated switches and requires programming when replaced
    • Passenger Door Switch (PDS)--An electronic control module that requires programming when replaced
    • Power Mirror Direction Switch--Integrated into DDS and is a 4 position momentary switch that provides a signal input to the DDM for up, down, left and right with mirror switch activation
    • Folding Mirror Switch--Integrated into DDS and is a 3 position switch that allows the operator to extend or retract the mirrors
    • Mirror Select Switch--Integrated into DDS and is a 3 position switch that allows the operator to select the left or right mirror and also a neutral position
    • Left Outside Power Mirror--Contains both the vertical and horizontal mirror motors
    • Right Outside Power Mirror--Contains both the vertical and horizontal mirror motors
    • Horizontal and Vertical Position Sensors--Supplied a 5-volt and low reference by the DDS/PDS and provides a variable voltage signal to the DDS/PDS that is proportional to mirror position
    • Fold Motor--Provides extend and retract movements of the mirror and is serviced as a complete mirror assembly

Each of the outside power mirrors contains 2 reversible motors to provide horizontal and vertical movement of the mirror glass. The vertical motor operates the up and down directions and the horizontal motor operates the left and right directions. Each outside power mirror also contains a reversible fold motor to operate the extend and retract functions.

Power Mirror System Controls

The power mirror switch incorporates a 2-position mirror select switch and a 4-position mirror direction switch. The mirror select switch allows the operator to select the mirror to be moved by selecting the L position for the left power mirror, selecting the R position for the right power mirror or the center which is the neutral/fold position. The mirror direction switch is a 4-position switch that allows the operator to move the selected mirror up, down, left or right.

Power Mirror System Operation

The power mirror switch is integrated into the DDS. The left and right mirror positions of the select switch and 4 positions of the direction switch, when active, will provide a signal to the DDS. Upon receipt of these signals, the DDS will provide battery voltage to the mirror motor up/right control circuit and ground to the mirror motor down control circuit and the mirror will move up. The remainder of the driver mirror functions operate in the same manner as described above except the DDS will supply battery voltage and ground to the appropriate control circuits for the direction selected. If the passenger mirror is selected and a direction switch is activated, the DDM sends a serial data message to the PDS indicating that the passenger mirror was selected and the direction to be commanded. The PDS will then supply battery voltage and ground to the appropriate control circuits for the direction selected.

Memory Mirror System

The DDS and PDS are capable of storing mirror positions and controlling the mirrors to these positions to the preferred settings of 2 different drivers. Each driver will be able to personalize the memory system by positioning the mirrors and seats to their preferred settings. Then press and hold the memory 1 or memory 2 button until an audible chime is heard and the current mirror positions will be stored into memory of the DDS and PDS. Seat position will be stored in the memory seat module (MSM). Once the mirror and seat positions have been stored into memory, a momentary memory 1 or memory 2 switch activation will supply the DDS a battery voltage signal. The DDS, upon receipt of the memory switch signal, with the transmission in park or neutral, will then drive the driver mirror to the corresponding stored memory position. The DDS will also send a serial data message to the PDS indicating that a memory switch activation occurred. The PDS will then drive the passenger mirror to the corresponding stored memory position.

Folding Mirror System Operation

Upon receipt of the required switch input, the DDS will supply battery voltage and ground to the folding mirror motor control circuits to perform the requested extend or retract function. The DDS will also send a serial data message to the PDS indicating the requested function. The PDS will supply battery voltage and ground to the folding mirror motor control circuits to perform the requested extend or retract function.

Power Mirror System - RPO DS3

Power Mirror System Components

The power mirror system consists of the following components:

    • Driver Door Switch (DDS)--An electronic control module with integrated switches and requires programming when replaced
    • Passenger Door Switch (PDS)--An electronic control module that requires programming when replaced
    • Power Mirror Direction Switch--Integrated into DDS and is a 4 position momentary switch that provides a signal input to the DDM for up, down, left and right with mirror switch activation
    • Mirror Select Switch--Integrated into DDS and is a 3 position switch that allows the operator to select the left or right mirror and also a neutral position
    • Left Outside Power Mirror--Contains both the vertical and horizontal mirror motors
    • Right Outside Power Mirror--Contains both the vertical and horizontal mirror motors

Each of the outside power mirrors contains 2 reversible motors to provide horizontal and vertical movement of the mirror glass. The vertical motor operates the up and down directions and the horizontal motor operates the left and right directions. Each outside power mirror also contains a reversible fold motor to operate the extend and retract functions.

Power Mirror System Controls

The power mirror switch incorporates a 2-position mirror select switch and a 4-position mirror direction switch. The mirror select switch allows the operator to select the mirror to be moved by selecting the L position for the left power mirror, selecting the R position for the right power mirror or the center which is the neutral/fold position. The mirror direction switch is a 4-position switch that allows the operator to move the selected mirror up, down, left or right.

Power Mirror System Operation

The power mirror switch is integrated into the DDS. The left and right mirror positions of the select switch and 4 positions of the direction switch, when active, will provide a signal to the DDS. Upon receipt of these signals, the DDS will provide battery voltage to the mirror motor up/right control circuit and ground to the mirror motor down control circuit and the mirror will move up. The remainder of the driver mirror functions operate in the same manner as described above except the DDS will supply battery voltage and ground to the appropriate control circuits for the direction selected. If the passenger mirror is selected and a direction switch is activated, the DDM sends a serial data message to the PDS indicating that the passenger mirror was selected and the direction to be commanded. The PDS will then supply battery voltage and ground to the appropriate control circuits for the direction selected.

Power Mirror System - RPO DG6

Power Mirror System Components

The power mirror system consists of the following components:

    • Outside Rearview Mirror Switch
    • Mirror Select Switch
    • Left Outside Power Mirror
    • Right Outside Power Mirror

Each of the outside rearview mirrors contains two motors. The vertical motor operates the mirror in the up and down directions, and the horizontal motor operates the mirror in the left and right directions.

Power Mirror System Controls

The outside rearview mirror switch is a four position directional switch: Up, Down, Left and Right. The mirror select switch is a three position switch: L for left, Off for none, and R for right.

Power Mirror System Operation

The outside rearview mirror switch receives power through the battery positive voltage circuit from the power mirror fuse. The power mirror switch also receives a constant ground. The four positions of the direction switch have dual switch contacts. Each of the contacts are connected to opposing sides of the appropriate power mirror motors through the selector switch. The selector switch completes these circuits depending on the position of the selector switch, L or R. If the selector switch is placed in the L position and the up switch is depressed, battery positive voltage will be supplied to the left outside rearview mirror vertical motor through the left mirror motor down control circuit and ground through the left mirror motor left control circuit. If the down switch is depressed, battery positive voltage will be supplied to the left outside rearview mirror vertical motor through the left mirror motor left control circuit and ground through the left mirror motor down control circuit. The remainder of the mirror functions operate in the same manner as described above. Placing the power mirror switch in opposing positions, left/right or up/down, will reverse the polarity to the mirror motor, reversing the direction of movement.