Outside Mirror Description and Operation
Power Mirror System Components
The power mirror system consists of the following components:
• Outside rearview mirror switch
• Mirror selector switch
• Driver outside rearview mirror
• Passenger outside rearview mirror
Each of the outside rearview mirror 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: left, neutral/fold, and right.
Power Mirror System Operation
The outside rearview mirror switch receives battery voltage from the underhood fuse block 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 pressed, battery voltage will be supplied to the left outside
rearview mirror vertical motor through the left mirror motor vertical control circuit and ground through the left mirror motor
common control circuit. If the down switch is pressed, battery voltage will be supplied to the left outside rearview mirror vertical
motor through the left mirror motor common control circuit and ground through the left mirror motor vertical 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.
Folding Mirrors (If Equipped)
The folding mirror system is controlled through an electronic switch that can be activated when the mirror select switch is in the
neutral position. When the mirror select switch is in the neutral position, the fold/retract function is activated by pressing the down
arrow. The fold/retract switch will fold or retract the mirrors depending on their current state. When a power fold or retract function
is activated, battery voltage is supplied to the fold motor by the appropriate fold or retract control circuit and the motor will be
grounded by the opposite control circuit.
Heated Mirrors (If Equipped)
The heated mirrors are controlled through the rear defog relay. Whenever the rear window defogger is turned on battery voltage is
supplied to the mirror heater elements through the left and right mirror heater element control circuits.
© 2011 General Motors. All rights reserved.
Mirrors
BODY SYSTEMS
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CHEVROLET SONIC 2012 BODY REPAIR MANUAL
