Sunlight Sensor
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Land Rover Range Rover. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
The sunlight sensor consists of two photoelectric cells that provide the ATC module with inputs of light intensity, one as sensed coming from the left of the vehicle and one as sensed coming from the right. The inputs are a measure of the solar heating effect on vehicle occupants and used by the ATC module to adjust blower speed, temperature and distribution to improve comfort. The sensor is installed in the center of the fascia upper surface.
If one of the photoelectric cells is faulty, the output from the other photoelectric cell is used for both sides of the vehicle. If both photoelectric cells are faulty, the ATC module uses a default value of zero.