GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Fault Information

Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.

Circuit/System Description

The outside rearview mirror switch receives battery voltage from the 5A MIRRORS fuse located in the underhood fuse block. The outside rearview mirror switch receives a constant ground at G201. The 4 positions of the direction switch have multiple switch contacts. When not in use, the directional contacts are isolated from any circuit. Each of the contacts are connected to opposing sides of the appropriate mirror motors through the selector switch. The selector switch interrupts or completes these circuits depending on the position of the selector switch, L or R. If the mirror select switch is placed in the L position and the up switch is pressed, battery voltage will be supplied to the driver outside mirror vertical motor through the driver mirror motor up control circuit and return to the mirror switch through the driver mirror motor left/down control circuit, then to ground and the mirror will move up. If the down switch is pressed, the driver mirror motor left/down control circuit supplies battery voltage and the driver mirror motor up control circuit completes the path to the mirror switch, then to ground and the mirror will move down. The remainder of the mirror functions operate in the same manner as described above. Placing the mirror control switch in opposing positions, left/right or up/down, will reverse the voltage polarity to the mirror motor, utilizing the same circuits and the mirror will move accordingly.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Outside Rearview Mirror Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Power Door Systems Connector End Views

Electrical Information Reference

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

Scan Tool Reference

    •  Scan Tool Output Controls
    •  Scan Tool Data List
    •  Scan Tool Data Definitions

Circuit/System Testing

Power Mirrors Inoperative - All

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the outside rearview mirror switch.
  2. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the outside rearview mirror switch voltage supply circuit and ground.
  3. If the test lamp does not illuminate, repair the outside rearview mirror switch voltage supply circuit for an open/high resistance. If the mirrors fuse is open, test the outside rearview mirror switch voltage supply circuit for a short to ground.
  4. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the outside rearview mirror switch voltage supply circuit and the outside rearview mirror switch ground circuit at the outside rearview mirror switch harness connector.
  5. If the test lamp does not illuminate, repair the outside rearview mirror switch ground circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance.
  6. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the outside rearview mirror switch.

Power Mirrors Inoperative - One

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the inoperative outside rearview mirror.
  2. Connect a test lamp between the appropriate power mirror motor controls circuit at the power mirror motor harness connector.
  3. Ignition ON, operate the inoperative power mirror to the directions being tested.
  4. If the test lamp does not illuminate, repair the power mirror motor control circuits for a short to ground, short to voltage, or an open/high resistance. If the circuits test normal, test or replace the outside rearview mirror switch.
  5. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the inoperative outside rearview mirror.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Outside Rearview Mirror Replacement
    •  Power Mirror Switch Replacement