GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Outside Mirror Description and Operation Power Mirrors

Power Mirror System

Power Mirror System Components

The power mirror system consists of the following components:

    • The driver door module--Class 2 module with integrated switches and requires programming when replaced
    • The passenger door module--Class 2 module with integrated switches, requires programming when replaced and also contains the RFA receiver
    • The power mirror direction switch--Integrated into DDM and is a 4-position momentary switch that provides a signal input to the DDM for up, down, left/extend and right/retract with a mirror switch activation
    • The mirror select switch--Integrated into DDM and is a 3-position switch that allows the operator to select the left or right mirror and also a neutral/fold position
    • The left outside power mirror--Contains both the vertical and horizontal mirror motors and is serviced as a complete mirror assembly
    • The right outside power mirror--Contains both the vertical and horizontal mirror motors and is serviced as a complete mirror assembly
    • The body control module--Class 2 module that requires programming when replaced, serves as the power mode master and is the main message handler
    • The DDM 10A fuse--Located in the I/P fuse block and is hot at all times
    • The PDM 10A fuse--Located in the I/P fuse block and is hot at all times
    • The memory switch, if equipped with memory mirrors--Supplied power by the DDM and provides a voltage signal to the DDM upon a switch activation
    • The horizontal and vertical position sensors, if equipped with memory mirrors--Supplied a 5-volt and low reference by the DDM/PDM and provide a variable voltage signal to the DDM/PDM that is proportional to mirror position
    • The park neutral position switch, if equipped with memory mirrors--Provides transmission gear selection information to the PCM and is used for memory recall and mirror tilt in reverse functions
    • The powertrain control module, if equipped with memory mirrors--Class 2 module that requires programming when replaced and provides Class 2 message indicating transmission gear selection
    • The driver information center (DIC), if equipped with memory mirrors--Part of the instrument cluster which is a Class 2 module that requires programming when replaced and is used to personalize the memory recall and mirror tilt in reverse functions
    • Fold motor in each of the outside mirrors, if equipped with power fold mirrors--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. If equipped with power folding mirrors, each outside power mirror will contain a reversible fold motor to operate the extend and retract functions. Each of the mirror motors are circuit breaker protected.

Power Mirror System Controls

The power mirror switch incorporates a 3-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. The mirror direction switch also functions as the folding mirror switch. When the selector switch is in the neutral/fold position, activate the mirror direction switch to the left to extend the mirrors and right to retract the mirrors.

Power Mirror System Operation

The power mirror switch is integrated into the DDM. 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 DDM. If the selector switch is placed in the L position and the up switch is depressed, 2 signals will be supplied to the DDM. The DDM upon receipt of these signals will provide battery voltage to the mirror motor left/up 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 DDM 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 class 2 message to the PDM indicating that the passenger mirror was selected and the direction to be commanded. The PDM will then supply battery voltage and ground to the appropriate control circuits for the direction selected.

Memory Mirror System

Memory Mirror System Controls

The DDM and PDM 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 DDM and PDM. Seat position will be stored in the driver seat module (DSM). Once the mirror and seat positions have been stored into memory, a momentary memory 1 or memory 2 switch activation will supply the DDM a battery voltage signal. The DDM, 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 DDM will also send a class 2 message to the PDM and DSM indicating that a memory switch activation occurred. The PDM will then drive the passenger mirror and the DSM will drive the driver seat to the corresponding stored memory position. The memory system can also be controlled by any of the following if programmed using the driver information center (DIC) to enable/disable the features:

    • Auto exit/entry seat positioning
    • Mirror and seat position recall on a keyless entry unlock activation
    • Mirror and seat position recall on ignition key insertion
    • Mirror tilt in reverse

For further information on programming and configuration, refer to Driver Personalization.

Memory Mirror System Operation

Mirror position is determined by both horizontal and vertical position sensors in each of the power mirrors. The DDM and PDM supplies a reference voltage and a low reference to these sensors and determines mirror position through the horizontal and vertical position signal circuits.

The memory switch receives power from the DDM through the battery supply voltage circuit and the DDM fuse. The DDM upon receipt of a memory switch signal input or an appropriate class 2 message from the BCM, the DDM and PDM will then supply battery voltage and ground to the appropriate power mirror motors through the mirror motor control circuits to move the mirrors to the predetermined positions.

Mirror Tilt in Reverse Controls

This feature is capable of tilting the left, right or both power mirrors when the transmission is placed in reverse to provide enhanced visibility during parking or backing maneuvers and is programmable through the Driver Information Center. This feature can be personalized to the needs of 2 different drivers. For further information, refer to the Vehicle Owners Manual.

Mirror Tilt in Reverse Operation

When the vehicle is placed in reverse and the appropriate class 2 message from the BCM is received by the DDM and PDM, the DDM and PDM will then supply battery voltage and ground to the appropriate power mirror motors through the mirror motor control circuits to move the mirrors to the predetermined positions. The positions that are stored can be altered by starting the engine, applying the brake, placing the vehicle in reverse and controlling both the left and right mirrors the desired positions and shifting the vehicle out of reverse. These new positions will be stored for the last memory recall that happened.

Folding Mirror System

Folding Mirror System Controls

The folding mirror system requires signals from 2 separate switches. The mirror select switch must be in the neutral/fold position and the mirror direction switch must be activated to the left/extend or right/retract positions. Both switches are integrated into the DDM and provide direct signals.

Folding Mirror System Operation

Upon receipt of the required switch inputs the DDM will supply battery voltage and ground to the mirror fold motor control circuits to perform the requested extend or retract function. The DDM will also send a class 2 message to the PDM indicating the requested function. The PDM will supply battery voltage and ground to the mirror fold motor control circuits to perform the requested extend or retract function.

Outside Mirror Description and Operation Heated Mirrors

Heated OSRV Mirror

On vehicles equipped with heated OSRV mirrors, the DDM and PDM controls the activation of the mirror heaters. Upon receiving a Class 2 message indicating a request for heated mirrors, the DDM, and PDM for the passenger side, will activate the mirror heater output. The mirror heaters will remain active until a new message is received indicating rear defogger is to be deactivated, either by driver input or by expiration of a calibrated timer.