Q: How do electric rear view mirrors utilize motors for adjustments and what steps should be taken if they are unresponsive on Honda Del Sol?
A: Most electric rear view mirrors utilize two motors for adjustments, two, one for the vertical movement the other for the horizontal move. Some of the mirrors also have electrical heating circuits for the glass defroster which usually draws current from the rear window defogger relay. It also has a control switch which determines to which side mirror the voltage is to be supplied. Start with the switch on but the engine off, pull down the windows and navigate the mirror control switch through all the functions for both the mirrors and watch out for the sound of the electric motors. If it is possible to hear the motors running but the mirror glass has not moved, there is a problem with the drive mechanism and the glass part of the mirror has to be taken off and dismantled. In the absence of sound from the mirrors, people are advised to check the Fuse. If the fuse is okay, take out the mirror control switch without uncleting the wires and measure voltage on the switch with the engine on, there is voltage at one terminal. If voltage is present then remove the switch and check for continuity on all positions for which it should exist if not then replace the switch. Hammer the switch again, find the wire which connects to the ground; hook up a jumper wire from this wire to the ground to read the operations of the mirror if there are physical signs of a bad ground connection. If the mirror does not work, make sure to touch the wire at the mirror with a test light while operating the mirror switch in all positions and make sure voltage is present to one of the switch to mirror wire in all but one position namely the neutral position of the switch. If voltage is Lacking in any position examine the wiring for opens and shorts. In the case of voltage, if found the mirror has to be removed and the check has to be made off the vehicle using jumper wires and in case it fails then it has to be replaced.