Sun Sensor - Operation

OPERATION

The Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) heating and A/C system uses two sun sensors to balance the system in response to side-to-side variations of sun light intensity. Passengers in sun and shadow require different functional settings because they experience very different temperatures. The sun sensor assembly provides data to the A/C heater control to help determine proper mode and blend-air door positions and blower motor speeds. The sun sensors are not thermistor type sensors, but rather photo diodes. For this reason the sun sensors responds to sun light intensity rather than temperature. The sun sensor assembly is also used to sense day and night conditions for automatic headlight control, if equipped.

The sun sensor is diagnosed using a scan tool Testing and Inspection.

The sun sensor assembly cannot be adjusted or repaired and must be replaced if inoperative or damaged.