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Home >> Ford >> 2018 >> Taurus Limited, FWD, Gas >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 122 (Rear View Mirrors) >> Description And Operation >> Rear View Mirrors - System Operation and Component Description >> System Operation- Interior Auto-Dimming

System Operation- Interior Auto-Dimming

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2018 Ford EcoSport. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The interior auto-dimming mirror uses 2 integral photoelectric sensors to determine the exterior lighting conditions. When the forward facing sensor detects daytime conditions, the rearward facing sensor is inactive and the mirror glass stays in a high reflectance mode. When the forward facing sensor detects nighttime conditions, the rearward facing sensor is active. During nighttime conditions, the mirror stays in a high reflectance mode until bright lights (glare) are detected by the rearward facing sensor. When bright lights (glare) are detected by the rearward facing sensor, the mirror glass is electronically darkened in proportion to the brightness of the glare detected from the rear of the vehicle. To provide increased visibility when backing up, the interior rear view mirror automatically returns to a high reflectance mode whenever the transmission is in reverse, regardless of exterior lighting conditions.

Component Description

Exterior Mirror Control Switch 

The exterior mirror control switch is a momentary contact switch that allows the driver to adjust the selected exterior mirror glass up, down, left or right. The exterior mirror selection switch is integral to the exterior mirror control switch and allows the driver to determine which exterior mirror will be adjusted.

Exterior, Power Rear View Mirrors 

Each exterior mirror has 2 bi-directional motors that are used to control the up, down, left and right movement of the exterior mirror glass.

If equipped with heated mirrors, the heated exterior mirrors use heating elements that are integral to the exterior mirror glass.

The exterior mirrors may be equipped with turn signals. For more information regarding the turn signals,

The exterior mirrors may include puddle lamps. For additional information on the mirror-mounted puddle lamps,

The exterior mirrors use a jumper harness between the vehicle wiring harness and the exterior mirror motors and the heated mirror glass. The exterior mirror jumper harness is integral to the exterior mirror. Before replacing an exterior mirror or motor, inspect the jumper harness for opens, shorted circuits or damaged and pushed-out pins. If a concern with the exterior mirror jumper harness exists, attempt to repair the jumper harness.

Interior Rear View Mirror - Manual-Dimming 

The manual dimming interior rear view mirror has a lever at the back of the mirror that must be pulled forward or pushed rearward by the driver to activate the manual dimming function. Manual dimming is completely controlled by the driver.

Interior Rear View Mirror - Auto-Dimming 

The auto-dimming rear view mirror has 2 photoelectric sensors, one on the front of the mirror (facing the windshield) and one on the rear of the mirror (at the top of the mirror glass). Based on inputs from these sensors, the mirror internally calculates and 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 detected in relation to ambient light conditions in front of the interior mirror.