Hi there,

I have just noticed that I am missing one "purpleish/pinkish"(?) "screw"(?) in the passenger side of the INTERNAL plastic grey vent grille at the base of the windscreen on my X-Type SE V6 3.0L 4Dr Auto (June 2001), as seen on page 5-3 (Climate Control) of the Driver's Handbook. Without the "screw", the plastic grey vent grille is lose.

Does anyone have a spare replacement that you can give to me, please?

Alternatively, where can I find another one, please?


In fact, the driver's side "purple" "screw" doesn't stay put either, making the plastic grey vent grille also lose. However, I have noticed that this driver's side "purple" "screw" is attached to a "wire/cable". Is that particular "screw" the actual solar sensor, as per page 5-2 (Climate Control) of the Driver's Handbook?


The "purple" "screws" are part of the plastic grey vent grilles.

Thanks in advance,


Alexandre Siciliano
Buxton, UK

 

Hi Alexandre,
I am not sure of this wire you talk about?
Not sure of the colour of screw either, they are hard to find because people refer to them by different names.
The screw should be a trim colour but re the wire, I think someone has added an after market product like a phone or something, I do not understand the solar statement either. Stu

 

Superglue or Blu Tack the windscreen vents back in . those plastic screws /rivets will just jump back out again .My Old X , had this problem & seems like my new X has similar problem .


Not sure what the wire is for ??

 

Alexandre,

I believe the purple screw/plug is actually the sunload sensor which is part of the climate control system in early cars. The replacement grille with better fittings actually deletes the sunload sensor, and I think later cars didn't have one as standard. There is no drama if it is unplugged.

Here is a picture of the sensor:
http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/fi...oad_sensor.jpg

Various posters on the forums have used silicon etc to glue down the rattly grille.

Regards

Rob

 

As Slocs said, it's the sunload sensor. Mine has a wire in it, and apparently it can be removed without any adverse effect. Sort of makes one wonder what it's supposed to be doing, then...

I used silicone, as not only does it stay elastic when "dried" and thus survives the thermal expansion of the dash with ease, the grille thing can still be removed really easily if necessary. Superglue is too strong for this I think.

 

That's the one! Spot on! Thanks very much for the info!


But the one in the passenger side is missing. Should I try to get one? If so, would it come with the "wire/cable"?


Thanks in advance.

 

That's the one! Spot on! Thanks very much for the info!


But the one in the passenger side is missing. Should I try to get one? If so, would it come with the "wire/cable"?


Thanks in advance.

 

I'd get one both to complete the look of the dashboard as well as to prevent anything from falling in there.

I could give you a part number if you can tell me the VIN of your car & the interior trim colour (upper dashboard), as those "blanking plugs" come in many colours.