Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Sensor, Sun: Operation
The Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) Dual Zone 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 Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) module 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. Refer to DTC INDEX (1 OF 2) and/or DTC INDEX (2 OF 2) .
The sun sensor assembly cannot be adjusted or repaired and must be replaced if inoperative or damaged.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.