Sun sensor

[Arkis]

Hi, does anyone know what the light sensor on the dashboard is for?
It's that little ball behind the speedometer chapel.

I was doing an automatic headlight calibration via diagnostics yesterday and the live readings of the light conditions are taken from the cluster sensor by the mirror (with rain sensor).

I could not find the readings given by the small sensor behing speedo anywhere.

[RichardW]

I believe it's supposed to detect if the sun is shining strongly, and it turns up (down?) the A/C to make it colder to counteract the sun shining in.

[Arkis]

That makes sense. Thank you.

[GiveMeABreak]

Yes, it detects the angle and intensity of the sun hitting it for use in climate control systems.

[myglaren]

Answered a question for me too as I have such a lump on the dash of my Mazda and often wondered as to its function. Kept meaning to cover it over and see what happened, except the doors would probably fall off.

[GiveMeABreak]

Ha! I'm sure I have a 50 page article on its operation somewhere.....