GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Test Description

The number(s) below refer to the step number(s) on the diagnostic table.

  1. Tests for an open or short to ground in the ignition 1 voltage circuit. If the circuit test OK, and the O/S MIRROR fuse is open. Repair a short to ground in the mirrors' control circuits. The driver door window/mirror switch may also be damaged from the short to ground and may need to be replaced.

Step

Action

Yes

No

SCHEMATIC REFERENCE: Outside Rearview Mirror Schematics

1

Did you perform the Doors Diagnostic System Check?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Door Systems

2

  1. Turn ON the ignition, with the ignition OFF.
  2. Operate the power mirrors with the driver door window/mirror switch.

Do both mirrors operate normally?

Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems

Go to Step 3

3

Are both mirrors inoperative in the horizontal and vertical positions?

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 4

4

With the driver door window/mirror switch, command the inoperative mirror to UP position, then to the DOWN position.

Does the inoperative mirror move UP and DOWN?

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 7

5

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the harness connector of the driver door window/mirror switch.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. Connect a test lamp between the ignition 1 voltage circuit of the driver door window/mirror switch and a good ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 13

6

Connect a test lamp between the ignition 1 voltage circuit of the driver door window/mirror switch and the ground circuit of the driver door window/mirror switch.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 20

7

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the harness connector of the inoperative mirror motor.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. Connect a test lamp between mirror down circuit of the inoperative mirror and a good ground.
  5. With the driver door window/mirror switch, command the mirror to the DOWN position.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 14

8

  1. Connect a test lamp between mirror down circuit of the inoperative mirror and motor control circuit of the inoperative mirror.
  2. With the driver door window/mirror switch, command the mirror to the DOWN position.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 16

9

With the driver door window/mirror switch, command the mirror to the UP position.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 17

10

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the harness connector of the inoperative mirror motor.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. Connect a test lamp between mirror right circuit of the inoperative mirror and a good ground.
  5. With the driver door window/mirror switch, command the mirror to the RIGHT position.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 15

11

  1. Connect a test lamp between mirror right circuit of the inoperative mirror and motor control circuit of the inoperative mirror.
  2. With the driver door window/mirror switch, command the mirror to the RIGHT position.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 16

12

With the driver door window/mirror switch, command the mirror to the LEFT position.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 17

13

Test the ignition 1 voltage circuit for an open or high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 19

14

Test the mirror down circuit for an open or high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 17

15

Test the mirror right circuit for an open or high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 17

16

Test the mirror motor control circuit for an open or high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 17

17

Inspect for a poor connection at the harness connector of the driver door window/mirror switch. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 21

18

Inspect for a poor connection at the harness connector of the inoperative mirror motor. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 22

19

Repair a short to ground in the mirrors' control circuits. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 23

--

20

Repair an open or high resistance in the ground circuit of the driver door window/mirror switch. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 23

--

21

Replace the driver door window/mirror switch. Refer to Power Accessory Switch Panel Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 23

--

22

Replace the mirror motor. Refer to Outside Rearview Mirror Motor Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 23

--

23

Operate the system in order to verify the repair.

Did you correct the condition?

System OK

Go to Step 3