Anyone know what the Black Plastic Moulding in the centre (on top) of the dash does - I cant find any reference to it in the handbook

I thought it was just a blanking piece to hide the join between the mesh demist vents but it has a multi-wire connector plugged into it.

It's the reciever for the remote central locking I believe.

I think you'll find its linked to the climatronic - standard air con cars don't have it.

I think you'll find its linked to the climatronic - standard air con cars don't have it.

thats correct - cover it up and the climotronic goes ape

Sounds like bitter experience - thanks for the feedback all

It's an Infra red sensor to compensate for sunlight in the cabin

I think you'll find its linked to the climatronic - standard air con cars don't have it.

Got one in mine

Std Aircon.

As mentioned it is a sunlight sensor for the climatic/climatronic a/c systems.

As mentioned it is a sunlight sensor for the climatic/climatronic a/c systems.

So what does it actually do ? I assume theres already temp sensors so that the climate knows the actually temp of the car so if it gets hotter/cooler air to compensate.

It alters the a/c in the car to compensate for sunlight heating up the car which may not be picked up so quickly by the temp sensors. Think of sitting in the car with the sun on your face, you can feel the heat but your body may still feel colder.

If that makes any sense what so ever.

It alters the a/c in the car to compensate for sunlight heating up the car which may not be picked up so quickly by the temp sensors. Think of sitting in the car with the sun on your face, you can feel the heat but your body may still feel colder.

If that makes any sense what so ever.

When put like that it makes sense alright

I am still confuse after reading all posts

I know the sensor for temperature it is in the center of the climatronic console

Don't remember that my ex ambiente have it on the dash (no a/c) sorry!:(

Another way of putting it: it compensates for radiant heat produced by the sun, as this is generally infra red radiation that is what the sensor looks for.

The temperature thermistors can't pick up on radiant heat but only the actual air temperature in the cabin.

I'm not sure whether it trims the set temp or alters the fan speed to compensate, my old Nissan used to ramp the fan up and down depending on the IR levels.

Also, I have a feeling it only works when the Climatronic is in "Auto" mode. Correct me if that is bullocks.

This subject was discussed some time ago (I'm not suggesting that you would know this!), but thought you might be interested in the replies and comments that were made in that thread.

See here for previous thread.