RAM 1500 Truck 4WD V8-5.9L VIN Z (2002)
Heated Element: Description and Operation
Fig. 1 Heated Mirror - Typical
HEATED MIRRORS
Electrically heated outside rear view mirrors are an additional factory-installed option on models that are equipped with factory-installed dual
power mirrors. Vehicles with this option can be visually identified by the International Control and Display Symbol icon for rear window
defogger, which appears on the lower inboard corner of each outside mirror glass; or, by the heated mirror switch that is located in the lower left
corner of the a/c heater control unit face plate. The heated mirror system helps the vehicle operator maintain outside rear view mirror visibility
during inclement operating conditions by keeping both outside mirror glasses clear of ice, snow, or fog. The heated mirror system for this vehicle
includes the following major components:
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The heated mirror switch, including the heated mirror system solid state electronic control logic and timer circuitry the heated mirror relay and
the heated mirror system indicator lamp. All of these components are integral to the a/c heater control unit on the instrument panel.
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The two outside mirror heating grids, which are integral to the power outside mirror units.
Following are general descriptions of the major components in the heated mirror system. See the owner's manual in the vehicle glove box for more
information on the features, use and operation of the heated mirror system.
The solid state electronic control logic and timer circuitry for the heated mirror system receives battery current from a fuse in the Junction Block
(JB) only when the ignition switch is in the ON or Start positions. After the heated mirror system is turned ON, the electronic control logic and
timer circuitry will automatically turn the system OFF after a programmed time interval of about fifteen minutes. After the initial time interval has
expired, if the heated mirror switch is depressed and released a second time during the same ignition cycle, the electronic control logic and timer
circuitry will automatically turn the heated mirror system OFF after a programmed time interval of about five minutes. The heated mirror system
will be shut OFF automatically if the ignition switch is turned to the Off or Accessory positions. After the heated mirror system is turned ON, it
can also be turned OFF manually by depressing and releasing the heated mirror switch a second time.
When the heated mirror system is turned ON, the heated mirror system control logic and timer circuitry energizes the heated mirror system
indicator lamp and the heated mirror relay. When energized, the heated mirror relay supplies fused ignition switch output (run/start) current from a
fuse in the JB to the outside mirror heating grids located behind the mirror glass of each of the outside rear view mirrors. When energized, each of
the outside mirror heating grids produces enough heat to warm the glass of the outside rear view mirrors.
