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.
Sun Sensor
The sun sensor consists of a photo diode powered from the central electronic module (CEM). The conductivity of the diode depends on the amount of light to which it is exposed.
The diode is located under a diffusing lens which reduces the sensitivity of the photo diode to the angle of the light hitting it. Increased sun intensity reduces the voltage over the photodiode.
The control module measures the voltage across the photo diode and converts the voltage to information which is then transmitted to the climate control module (CCM) via the controller area network (CAN).
The sun sensor and its housing are located in the center of the dashboard at the windshield together with the twilight sensor and alarm diode.
From and including structure week 200746, the sun sensor is replaced by twin sun sensors.
There are diagnostics for the sun sensor.
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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.