Hello, does anyone know what the small ¾ inch black ½ round cover or dome on the drivers side of dashboard is for? It is missing and there seems to be some sort of light eye electronic piece that has been exposed. I assume the black cover is integrated for the piece to work properly. I think it disapearred down the front of dash by windshield. I assume I need new one. Does anyone know what this is called and/or where I can get a new plastic half round black dome cover for this? Thanks in advance

 

The formal name of the part is the SOLAR SENSOR. It is used by the AC system to measure to sun's heat load on the vehilce for more accurate temperature control.

I would agree that you need to replace the sensor as I don't believe it will work properly without the little dome in place.

-John

 

Vette
They do sell just the bezel. Bezel solar sensor # GJA-6617AALEG in warm charcoal.(Black) Can't give you a price but before I bought the sensor I would make sure the old one isworking.

 

Thanks for your replies concerning the solar sensor. Question RCSign, you say make sure it works, how do I find out if it works or not? Thanks for the bezel #.

 

How's your climate control working? I wouldn't know for sure, but if the sensor wasn't working I believe your air wouldn't work correctly. I might not work at all, or only on high. Maybe a tech can jump in and clarify this. Good Luck.

 

Do you have JTIS? In section 4, Electrical, 412-04 Control Components, Diagnosis and testing, there are instructions for putting the climate control in diagnostic mode. The screen will then display fault codes which you can look up in that section.

Basically you hold down AUTO and RECIRCIULATE then switch on the ignition. Then hit AUTO again. The fault codes will cycle through on the display. The solar sensor fault code is '21'. If '0' is displayed, you have no codes.