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Knigh7s
04/15/2009, 07:57 PM
Does anyone know what this little thing is (round bubble w/some sort of sensor under it)? It is located on the drivers side of the dash next to the VIN plate. It has been bothering me for some time, and I keep forgetting to ask about it till just now when I was scanning through some VX pics.


http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/3162/medium/1237154120676.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/13572)

deermagnet
04/15/2009, 08:26 PM
This has come up in the past and I don't recall what the replies were. I just checked my parts catalog and it's a 'sun sensor' for the VXes with full auto A/C. Part # 8-97114-027-0 for about $45.

A Google search shows cars with auto climate control have them and it measures the direction and intensity of the sun's rays and feeds the info to the auto HVAC system.

The Trooper has the sun sensor in the same spot as a VX. The Axiom has it in the center of the dash a good ways back from the base of the windshield.

Mark

Riff Raff
04/15/2009, 09:13 PM
Mark--- Son of a gun, I didn't know that. Thanx for the info. I believe only the 2000 and 2001 VX's had the automatic HVAC system. So, I would assume a 1999 VX would not have that sensor on the dashboard??? Clarification???

deermagnet
04/15/2009, 09:22 PM
Clarification???
Correct, no such part is needed for the '99 with manual controls.

Mark

Knigh7s
04/15/2009, 09:49 PM
deermagnet, thanks much, I searched, but I didn't really know what to search for! So now I can finally relax... lol

tom4bren
04/16/2009, 04:47 AM
The only thing you need to remember about that little bugger is to NOT cover it with anything while you have your climate controls set to auto.

My Proton used to have an inspection sticker near that location on the windshield. The shade from that sticker would cause the climate controls to fluctuate noticeably.