In my previous 3 cars I had automatic lights, that is I could just put the light switch onto 'Auto' and the system would switch on my lights whenever the light outside fell below a certain level and switch them off when the light level went above a certain level or I took the keys out.

I've therefore got used to this lazy man's device and am looking to put the same thing onto my Octavia Mk1 VRS. :pimp:

There are a few generic kits on eBay, so it's probably possible to do.

I see there is what appears to be a light sensor between the 2 halves of the grill on the top of the dash. My Haynes manual calls it a light sensor but I can't find any reference to what it is used for in the text or wiring diagrams.

A search showed up no info.

Can anyone help me with a steer on:

• What is the light sensor used for and can are technical details available (so I can see if it can be combined with an after-market kit)?
  
• Is there an Octavia-specific solution (e.g. new light switch from dealer & reprogramming)?
  

Cheers,

Ian

I'm not 100% but has it not got something to do with Climatronic?

Ah, found something in Haynes - thanks, jcb.

In the climatronic section, all 4 column inches of it, it's called a sunlight penetration sensor.

From the name I suspect it's not much use as a light sensor. :(

Ah well, looks like an eBay special might be in order (£18 - £40, but in general you get what you pay for).

Ian

If you do the Diag mode on the Climatronic unit, one of the information channels available displays the data from this sensor I think. So it does give a variable reading, but how easy it would be to interpret this signal into an automatic light switch, i'm not so sure of.

I'm certianly no whizz with electronics and microchip stuff, so at this point i'm afraid i'll have to let someone else take over!

The sensor on the top of the dash more likely measures temperature than light I think.

I have seen a Valeo kit for auto lights on eBay a couple of time and been tempted, but never taken the plunge and bought one. Rather have auto wipers and self dimming rear view mirror which my Bora had and I miss in the Octy.

This one;

NEW VALEO AUTO LIGHTS ON OFF KIT ASTRA G MK4 VECTRA B on eBay (end time 04-Dec-09 15:50:17 GMT)

Valeo is an OEM manufacturer of automotive lighting products, so this kit should be OK.

why waste money and hours of your life on something you can do yourself in 2 seconds for zero pounds:confused: quite why new cars are fitted with this pointless system is beyond me, i mean how hard is it to actually turn your lights on and off by hand?! i'd actually go as far as saying i'm actually slightly offended by the car company's for basically assuming we don't know when its dark enough to put our lights on, same goes for rain sensing wipers, i mean, if you can't work out its raining for yourself then you shouldn't be on the road! anyway, rant over i just don't see the point of going to the effort and expense of fitting said kit, but each to their own i spose

I guess it's more a case of keeping up with the Jones's. I think genuinely car manufacters are running out of ideas to make their cars stand out from the crowd. And now since even poverty spec cars have toys that would be found on a high end car 10 years ago, it's a case of finding just that extra bit of kit to make you part with your cash for the higher more expensive model. But I think you're right, it'll get to a point where there's just nothing else to add, frankly auto lights etc is clutching at straws and isn't worth the extra funds. But it's what people will do these days to say they've "got it".

God knows what gimmicks the next 10 years will show us. We've already had auto door opening etc!!

I said that about the auto wipers and self dimming mirror until I had a car with them fitted. Now I really miss them!

I'm old enough to drive in the days when even top of the range cars didn't have central locking, electric windows, intermittent wipers, rear wipers, heated windscreens, electric mirrors (you were posh if you had adjustment by a handle from the inside and most cars had only one mirror), front fog lights, rear fog lights, tinted glass, airbags - all things that we take for granted now even on the cheapest car and which we could all easily do without.

The auto light function saves hassle - yes, you can do it yourself in 2 secs buts it's just one less thing to worry about - and if anyone like me has come back to a flat battery because they left their lights on (me, more than once, you'd think I'd learn) then they're worth every penny.

Auto dimming mirror? Again, it's something you get used to.

And what about parking sensors and parking cameras?

Taking a tangent, talking about useless things, isn't it about time we made front and rear fog lights illegal as so many drivers think because they've paid for them they're going to use them?

Ian

And what about parking sensors and parking cameras?

In older cars you had nice slim pillars and could generally see the front and rear extremities of the car. Most cars now have thick pillars and tiny rear windows meaning it is difficult to see where the car ends. Parking sensor are another thing I never saw any need for, but now find them very useful. Both of our Skodas have them, the Porsche is older, so has thinner pillars up front and a huge expanse of glass at the back so you can see where it ends.

I said that about the auto wipers and self dimming mirror until I had a car with them fitted. Now I really miss them!

I wasn't suggesting that i'm against it at all! Many of the new technologies are very useful and reinforce saftey aspects. And since they are so cheap and easy for manufactuers to fit in the scheme of things, i see no reason why they shouldn't be added.

However I think it is kind of woeful for the human race. It comes across as a bit lazy and a bit too comfortable as once a computer takes over a certain task, you can neglect responsibility for it to an extent. Just blame the hardware when things don't go to plan.

There must be a limit to how much automation we can tolerate though. Where's the fun in cars that drive themselves etc? I'm suppose i'm contradicting myself as I have lots of toys on my Octy and would be more than happy to add more! But I CAN see that all these little changes all help to disconnect you from that driving experience.

What's other opinions?

"In older cars you had nice slim pillars and could generally see the front and rear extremities of the car."

Not true. My first car was a Beetle and I drove a Capri for a long time - compared to those modern cars are a doddle to judge the front & back. Modern hatchbacks are much easier than the saloons of the 70s.

Of course, there were fewer cars on the road, fewer parking restrictions and smaller cars (the Govt minimum car space hasn't changed in a long while).

And then there was the time we were living in't shoebox in't middle of t'road.....

Solution is to get a motorbike.......

Ian