GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Power Mirror System Components

The power mirror system consists of the following components:

    • Power mirror direction switch: left/right/up/down
    • Power mirror select switch: left/off/right
    • Left outside power mirror
    • Right outside power mirror
    • PWR MIRROR Fuse 10A

Each of the outside power mirrors contains two motors. The vertical motor operates the up and down directions and the horizontal motor operates the left and right directions. Each of the power mirror motors are internally circuit breaker protected.

Power Mirror System Controls -- Pontiac

The power mirror switch incorporates a mirror select switch and a mirror direction switch.

The mirror select switch allows the driver to select the mirror to be moved, counterclockwise for left, clockwise for right, or a center off position.

The mirror direction switch allows the driver to move the selected mirror up, down, left or right. Each position activates a triplet of normally open contacts.

Power Mirror System Operation -- Pontiac

The power mirror switch receives power through the battery positive voltage circuit from the PWR MIRROR Fuse 10A. The power mirror switch also receives a constant ground.

The direction switch has two triplets of switch contacts. Each set of contacts are connected to opposing sides of the appropriate power mirror motors. One side of each motor is connected through the select switch. The select switch interrupts or completes these circuits depending on the position of the select switch.

If the select switch is placed in the left position and the up direction contacts are closed, battery positive voltage will be supplied to both vertical power mirror motors through the left mirror motor up control circuit and the right mirror motor up control circuit. The return path is completed only for the left mirror through the left mirror motor left control circuit, through the select switch and direction switch to ground. The mirror will move up.

If the down direction contacts are closed, battery positive voltage will be supplied through the select switch to both left mirror motors through the left mirror motor left control circuit. The return path is completed only for the left mirror vertical motor through the left mirror motor up control circuit, through the direction switch to ground. The mirror will move down.

The remainder of the mirror functions operate in a similar manner as described above. Pressing the power mirror switch in opposing positions will reverse the polarity to the selected mirror motor, utilizing the same circuits and the power mirror will move in the opposite direction.

Power Mirror System Controls -- Oldsmobile

The power mirror switch incorporates a mirror select switch and a four position mirror direction switch.

The mirror select switch allows the driver to select the mirror to be moved, L for left, R for right, or a center off position.

The direction switch is a four position switch that allows the driver to move the selected mirror up, down, left or right.

Power Mirror System Operation -- Oldsmobile

The power mirror switch receives power through the battery positive voltage circuit from the PWR MIRROR Fuse 10A. The power mirror switch also receives a constant ground.

The direction switch has multiple switch contacts. Each of the contacts are connected to opposing sides of the appropriate power mirror motors. One side of each motor is connected through the select switch. The select switch interrupts or completes these circuits depending on the position of the select switch.

If the select switch is placed in the L position and the up switch is depressed, battery positive voltage will be supplied to all four power mirror motors through the left mirror motor left control circuit and the right mirror motor left control circuit. The return path is completed only for the left mirror through the left mirror motor down control circuit, through the select switch and direction switch to ground. The mirror will move up.

If the down switch is depressed, battery positive voltage will be supplied to the left mirror vertical motor through the select switch and the left mirror motor down control circuit. The return path is completed through the left mirror motor left control circuit, through the direction switch to ground. The mirror will move down.

The remainder of the mirror functions operate in a similar manner as described above. Pressing the power mirror switch in opposing positions will reverse the polarity to the selected mirror motor, utilizing the same circuits and the power mirror will move in the opposite direction.