Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Heated Mirrors: Operation
When the rear window defogger switch is in the On position, an electric heater grid located behind the glass of each of the outside rear view mirrors is energized. When energized, each of these heater grids produce heat to help clear the outside rear view mirrors of ice, snow, or fog.
The heated mirror system is controlled by a momentary rear window defogger switch in the accessory switch bezel. An amber indicator lamp in the switch will illuminate to indicate when the defogger system is turned on. The rear window defogger switch also contains the defogger system control circuitry including the timer logic and the defogger relay.
If the outside mirror heating grids are both inoperative, see HEATED GLASS & DEFOGGERS article. If only one of the outside mirror heating grids is inoperative, see DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - POWER MIRRORS .
The heating grid behind each outside mirror glass cannot be repaired and, if faulty or damaged, the entire power mirror unit must be replaced.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.