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View Full Version : Just wondering...what is the red widget near the windshield?


blue911
11-06-2005, 08:43 AM
Located in the center of the dash very near the windshield is a small red plastic widget which looks like it could be a light or sensor.

Just curious as to what it was.
Willy
11-06-2005, 08:54 AM
Your guess is correct, it is a light... and a sensor!
The light (LED) is a function of the alarm, indicating that it is armed or set (depending on the blink frequency). The sensor is from the A/C control, it measures the amount of infrared light (to establish if and how intense the sun is shining). The A/C uses fuzzy logic, a number of parameters that you would't expect to be there are taken into acount, so the A/C may take a different approach in two seamingly identical situations. That is why some say that (some functions of) this car has a mind of its own :D
Willy
Dani K.
11-06-2005, 09:22 AM
If that is the case, where is the light sensor then?
Willy
11-06-2005, 02:37 PM
What light sensor do you mean exactly?
Willy
Jack
11-06-2005, 09:25 PM
I believe the light sensor for the drl/headlights is also located there. To test shine a flashlight on the led/sensor assembly after dark. The drls should come on.
hd70
11-06-2005, 11:34 PM
The light sensor is on top of the HAV control (center console), a little square.
Jack
11-07-2005, 09:35 AM
Here's a picture.....
Art
11-07-2005, 11:37 AM
If that is the case, where is the light sensor then?

I think Willy was referring to the sun sensor which also functions as the alarm diode. It sends data back to the CCM relative to sunlight intensity. In short, the degree of sunlight that the diode is exposed to regulates such things as the ventilation air temp, air distribution and speed of the blower fan.

Two other sensors, one located on the front of the CCM panel directly below the button for the floor air distribution, controls the intensity of the dashboard lighting and the other near the top of the CCM panel to the left of the defrost button monitors the temperature of the passenger compartment.
Willy
11-07-2005, 03:00 PM
Yes, I was.
Sorry if I misunderstood the question (working nights at the moment, does strange things to a person :D)
Willy
hd70
11-11-2005, 09:35 AM
correction to my previous post:

The light sensor is BELOW the HAV control, right below the lower button (foot area) - It is very small (see Art's post above).

Addition to Art's post:
It also controls the headlight - can be tested. Just cover it up and after a few seconds, the headlight will come on (at least on mine).