Captiva

Automatic Day-Night Mirrors Malfunction

The inside rearview mirror uses 2 photocell sensors. One sensor is the rear light sensor, located on the face side of the mirror, facing the rear of the vehicle. The rear light sensor is used to determine light conditions present at the mirror face. The other sensor is the front light sensor, located on the backside of the mirror, facing the front of the vehicle. The front light sensor is used to determine the exterior light conditions at the front of the vehicle. With a low exterior light condition detected by the front light sensor and a high light condition from the rear light sensor, the inside rearview mirror will automatically darken the face of the inside rearview mirror and the driver outside rearview mirror. The inside rearview mirror provides a signal circuit and a low reference circuit to the driver mirror face to darken the mirror when needed.

With the gear selector lever in the REVERSE position and the engine running, backup lamp control voltage is supplied as an input to the inside rearview mirror. The mirror monitors this input to disable the automatic day-night feature. This allows the driver to see objects in the mirror clearly when backing up, regardless of the rear light sensor status.

Schematic Reference

Outside Rearview Mirror Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Automatic Day-Night Mirror Description and Operation

Electrical Information Reference

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

1. Ignition ON, headlamps ON, vehicle in PARK, cover the front light sensor with a towel or other suitable item. Shine a torch at the rear light sensor while observing the inside rearview mirror face. The inside rearview mirror face should dim.
2. Engine running, place the transmission in REVERSE. The inside rearview mirror face should transition from dim to bright.

⇒	If the mirror does not transition between the bright and dim states, refer to Inside Rearview Mirror Dimming Malfunction.

3. Vehicle in PARK, shine a flashlight at the rear light sensor while observing the driver outside rearview mirror face. The outside rearview mirror face should dim.
4. Engine running, place the transmission in REVERSE. The driver outside rearview mirror face should transition from dim to bright.

⇒	If the mirror does not transition between the bright and dim states, refer to Outside Rearview Mirror Dimming Malfunction.

Inside Rearview Mirror Dimming Malfunction

1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the A10 inside rearview mirror.
2. Wait 1 minute, test for less than 10 Ω between the ground circuit terminal 1 and ground.

⇒	If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.

3. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the ignition circuit terminal 8 and ground.

⇒	If the test lamp does not illuminate test the ignition circuit for an open/high resistance or short to ground.

4. Engine running, park brake applied, vehicle in REVERSE, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the reversing lamp control circuit terminal 10 and ground.

⇒	If the test lamp does not illuminate test the control circuit for an open/high resistance or short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, refer to Reversing Lamps Inoperative .

5. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the A10 inside rearview mirror.

Outside Rearview Mirror Dimming Malfunction

1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the appropriate A9 outside rearview mirror.
2. Wait 1 minute, test for less than 10 Ω between the appropriate low reference circuit listed below and ground:

•	Left outside rearview mirror terminal 1

•	Right outside rearview mirror terminal 6

⇒	If greater than the specified range, test the low reference circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the A10 inside rearview mirror.

3. Ignition ON, test for less than 1 V between the appropriate signal circuit listed below and ground:

•	Left outside rearview mirror terminal 7

•	Right outside rearview mirror terminal 12

⇒	If greater than the specified range, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the A10 inside rearview mirror.

4. Headlamps ON, vehicle in PARK, cover the front light sensor with a towel or other suitable item. Shine a flashlight at the rear light sensor. Test for greater than 1 V between the appropriate signal circuit listed below and ground:

•	Left outside rearview mirror terminal 7

•	Right outside rearview mirror terminal 12

⇒	If less than the specified range, test the signal circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the A10 inside rearview mirror.

5. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the driver E17D outside rearview mirror glass.

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.