Rear View Mirror System: Other Mercury Sable V

Rear View Mirrors

The main components of the exterior rear view mirrors are

1. Exterior mirror control switch
2. Exterior mirror cover
3. Exterior mirror glass
4. Exterior mirror glass adjustment motors
5. Exterior mirror plastic housing
6. Heated exterior mirror glass (optional)
7. LH exterior auto-dimming mirror glass (optional)
8. Memory exterior mirrors (optional)
9. Puddle lamps (optional)

For information on the puddle lamps, refer to EXTERIOR LIGHTING article.

Exterior Mirror

Power Exterior Mirrors - Power mirrors allow the driver or passenger mirror glass to be positioned electronically. The position of the power mirror glass is controlled by the exterior rear view mirror control switch. Adjusting the exterior rear view mirror control switch to the LH or RH position determines which power mirror glass will be controlled.

Heated Exterior Rear View Mirrors - The power exterior rear view mirrors are available with a heated mirror glass feature, which heats the mirror glass to remove frost, snow, ice and condensation. The rear window defrost switch controls the operation of the heated exterior rear view mirrors. The heated exterior rear view mirrors only operate when the heated rear window is on.

Memory Exterior Mirrors - The memory mirror function recalls the preferred positioning of the LH and RH exterior mirror glass. The preferred positioning of the exterior mirror glass is retained in the Driver Seat Module (DSM). Memory is activated by the door mounted switches or the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter. When a memory position is recalled by the operator, the LH and RH exterior mirror glass will automatically adjust to the preferred position. The DSM is capable of setting a DTC for the memory mirror system when a system concern exists.

For information on the DSM and Memory Position Programming, refer to SEATING article.

Interior Mirror

The interior rear view mirror can be equipped with the following

1. Interior auto-dimming rear view mirror with compass
2. Interior auto-dimming rear view mirror (optional) with compass with microphone

Interior Auto-Dimming Rear View Mirror - The interior auto-dimming rear view mirror automatically reduces the glare caused by headlamps reflecting in the interior rear view mirror. The interior auto-dimming rear view mirror adjusts the reflectance level of the interior rear view mirror glass to eliminate unwanted glare. The reflectance level of the mirror glass is variable and depends on the amount of rear glare in relation to ambient light conditions in front of the interior mirror. When the forward sensor detects daytime conditions, the rearward sensor is inactive and the interior rear view mirror stays in a high reflectance mode. When the forward sensor detects nighttime conditions, the rearward sensor is active and detects glare from the headlights of vehicles approaching from the rear or other glare-producing light sources. To provide increased visibility when backing up, the interior rear view mirror will automatically return to a high reflectance mode whenever the vehicle is in REVERSE.

On vehicles equipped with navigation or SYNC, the interior rear view mirror will contain an integrated microphone. For microphone information or diagnostics, refer to INFORMATION AND ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEMS article.

On vehicles equipped with a compass, the interior rear view mirror will contain an integrated compass module. For compass information, calibration or diagnostics, refer to INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (IC), MESSAGE CENTER, AND WARNING CHIMES article.

Special Tools Illustration Tool Name Tool Number Vehicle Communication Module (VCM) and Integrated Diagnostic System (IDS) software with appropriate hardware, or equivalent scan tool 73III Automotive Meter 105-R0057 or equivalent

Scheme 38

Heated Exterior Rear View Mirror

The heated exterior rear view mirrors only operate when the heated rear window is ON. The heated rear window switch controls the operation of the heated exterior rear view mirrors. The heated rear window switch is an integral part of the HVAC electronic automatic temperature control (EATC) module or the HVAC electronic manual temperature control (EMTC). The heated exterior rear view mirror power is supplied by the heated rear window relay through a separate battery junction box (BJB) fuse that isolates the heated exterior rear view mirrors from the heated rear window system in the event of a concern.

Interior Auto-Dimming Rear View Mirror

The interior auto-dimming rear view mirror automatically reduces the glare caused by headlamps reflecting in the interior rear view mirror. The auto-dimming feature is disabled when the vehicle is in REVERSE. Power is supplied to the auto-dimming interior mirror when the ignition is in the RUN or ACC position.

The interior auto-dimming rear view mirror has 2 photoelectric sensors that detect forward and rearward light conditions. Based on these inputs, the automatic dimming feature adjusts the reflectance level of the interior rear view mirror glass to eliminate unwanted glare. The reflectance level of the mirror glass is variable and depends on the amount of rearward glare in relation to ambient light conditions in front of the interior mirror.

When the forward sensor detects daytime conditions, the rearward sensor is inactive and the interior rear view mirror stays in a high reflectance mode. When the forward sensor detects nighttime conditions, the rearward sensor is active and detects glare from the headlights of vehicles approaching from the rear or other glare-producing light sources. To provide increased visibility when backing up, the interior rear view mirror will automatically return to a high reflectance mode whenever the vehicle is in REVERSE.

If the forward or rearward sensors are blocked, the automatic dimming interior mirror might not work correctly.

Memory Exterior Mirrors

The memory mirror function recalls the preferred positioning of the exterior mirrors. Memory is activated by the door mounted switches or the remote keyless entry (RKE) transmitter. The driver seat module (DSM) constantly tracks the exterior mirror position by using the potentiometers in the exterior mirror assembly. The positions remain in memory as long as the DSM retains power. When a memory position is recalled by the operator, the DSM powers the exterior mirror motors simultaneously and monitors the potentiometer circuits. When the stored memory position is reached, the DSM removes the voltage from the motors. If the exterior mirror control switch is operated during a memory recall, the DSM stops the recall and responds to the exterior mirror control switch command.

For information on the DSM and Memory Position Programming, refer to SEATING article.

Exterior Mirrors - Exploded View

Note. Sable and Taurus shown, Taurus X similar.

Note. RH shown, LH similar.

Scheme 39

1. For additional information, refer to the procedures in this article.

Exterior Mirror Control Switch

Note. Taurus X shown, Sable and Taurus similar.

Scheme 40