R32 Skyline Mystery

[Samuel Leonard]

i have been wondering for a while, trying to gather info on the little round light/receiver thing at the end of the windscreen demister (passenger side) on all R32's (that i am aware of).

if you don't know what i'm talking about, go and look for yourself. it's a little brown circle on the dash, passenger side up near the window. i have been wondering what it is for a long time.

i don't have the answer!

i have a few theories...

the cars came factory with remote central locking as far as i'm aware. it could be the receiver for the older remote central locking?

It could be some sort of vehicle ID type thing for some unknown reason. (haven't thought this one through heaps)

or, my final and most realistic theory is that it clocks how many times you drive through a tolled road and it could be an automated way of paying for road tolls.

I am sorry to you all if i am way off with any of these theories but i need this answered.

If you actually know, PLEASE TELL ME!

Edited February 2, 2010 by Samuel Leonard

[Tony de Wonderful]

My 33 has one also. I think it is a photodiode, so could be potentially used to turn the lights on or off automatically at a given light threshold?

That or it is a secret tracking device the CIA are keeping tabs on me with? I wish those blackhawk helicopters would stop following me and trying to beam thoughts into my head!

[Socrates]

i have read previously that it measures the intensity of the sunlight on the car for the climate control system, if installed.

[Samuel Leonard]

i have read previously that it measures the intensity of the sunlight on the car for the climate control system, if installed.

aaaaahhh. that makes sense. where did you read it? i searched and couldn't find anything about it??? well i'll assume it's that and it puts my mind to rest cheers

[Samuel Leonard]

My 33 has one also. I think it is a photodiode, so could be potentially used to turn the lights on or off automatically at a given light threshold?

That or it is a secret tracking device the CIA are keeping tabs on me with? I wish those blackhawk helicopters would stop following me and trying to beam thoughts into my head!

i had considered your first thought before, but my lights don't turn on and off so i figured it wasn't.

i think the guy below you is right. measures light intensity for the climate control.

[Tony de Wonderful]

measures light intensity for the climate control.

To what end though? The A/C has a thermostat anyway.

[russstuff]

the climate control also has an ambient air temp sensor that works together with the light sensor and an internal temp sensor. it calculates all these things and then sets how oftern to cycle the compressor motor on and off.

like for example on a hot sunny day your a.c. come on full blast and does what it needs to at full power but when its at night it doesn't come on as intense.

i cant remember exactly but from my shagged memory its something like that