Hi, I always wanted to know why theres a black circle sensor looking thing in the defroster vent for the front windshield, its all the way to the right of the vents. I was once told that its a sensor for the automatic headlight operation so that it turns on when its dark like the 5th gen. I dont know how true that is but if it is then how do we work it, anyone did this or know what it really is?

 

It is the sun-load sensor for auto climate control. If it detects a large amount of sunlight, it adjusts the climate control accordingly.

 

I think you were told correctly...almost. In the 4Gen that sensor only sounds an alarm ding when it gets dark and the headlights are not on. I don't think it is all that consistent though. I've heard the "ding" , and it is a different tone than the key in the ign. ding, at dusk on occaision...but not always.
Hope this helps

 

This is exactly correct. You can read about it in the owner's manual. It also warns in the manual to keep it clear of obstructions.

 

LOL...boy did I have it wrong. Then what the hell is that other "ding" I hear every once in a while???? I wonder how well it works here in Texas..LOTs of sun-load!

 

Yeah it's a light sensor for the automatic headlights and climate control. The headlight control works in my Cefiro and I used to always find it strange how the AC fan would go instantly faster when moving into the sun. I didn't think the thermostat could detect a change in temperature so fast, so it had to be using the light sensor.

 

So how come the cars without climate control, such as the GXE still have this sensor. Im gonna try to cover it with a book and see what the difference in my climate control is. WHO SAID BOOKS ARE USELESS?! Also, how can i activate the automatic headlight feature. I got a really dark windshield tint anyway so they'd probably always be on.

 

I'm thinking it has the clear plastic cap but no sensor inside...you can check yours...the cap just pops off so you can look inside to see if you can see something looking like a plastic funnel with a black square at the bottom.

Try using a bright flashlight on it while the ac is on and if the fan goes faster then it's working.
I'm not sure how you would activate the headlight feature since my light switch has an "auto" position between off and park lights positions. It seem pretty complicated since the lights come on gradually....park then headlights as it gets darker. The sensor probably modifies a resistance that triggers a relay for the lights.

 

WAIT WTF?! sice when do 4th gen's come with automatic headlights? am i a for not knowing this?

 

I was doing good but then i read thisand now im completly lost, what did u say?

 

Ummm lets see...In a normal car the light switch has the off position, then park lights and then headlights. In my car there is a postion between park and headlights called auto...ie I can choose if I want the automatic feature using the switch. That would be your first problem and the rest of the post basically said that it seems like it would be a pretty complicated process of setting it up

 

If you have the auto thing on your switch, which i didnt even know comes on a 4th gen, why wouldnt they hook it up factory? I mean if they are going to put the thing there might as well make it useful.

 

My Cefiro came from Japan and the auto headlights are operational. What I'm saying is that even if you have the sensor it would be a problem for you to get the headlights to work.

 

oh i didnt know u had a cefiro, its weird to see the steering wheel on the other side in a car that looks just like mine.