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29K views 12 replies 6 participants last post by  sixpot_simon  
C
#1 · (Edited)
The other day I noticed an object that had "fallen" into the vent on the dash. I gave a slight tug and out came this BMW plug type of part. I took a photo and have attached. Can anyone identify the type of part? :dunno: Wires are attached with some type of plug at the base so I tried to manuever the part back in. I had not seen it before but recently had service done at the dealer. The idler pully was replaced.
 

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#2 · (Edited)
c4ofus said:
I had not seen it before but recently had service done at the dealer
Click to expand...
Does your local police department often install hidden GPS units on your vehicle?

:)

Luckily, almost every question on this forum has been asked before.

All you had to do is search for "what is this thing"... :)
- What is the purpose of this object in the center of my E39 dashboard?, by bluebee

Also:
- "what is that black thingie"
- "what's the little sensor thingey"
- "what is that thingy"
- "what is that gadget in the dashboard"
etc.

BTW, one unanswered question about this "thingey" is WHERE it is connected to the rest of the car!
Anyone know?

Image
 
R
#3 ·
It appears to be the solar sensor used by the HVAC.

From WDS
************
Functional description solar sensor for IHKA
As part of climate control, the solar sensor takes into consideration external light and heat sources that influence the climate in the vehicle interior. The solar sensor consists of one photoresistor that measures the varying intensity of solar radiation. At high levels of solar radiation, the setting of the air conditioning system is correspondingly adapted to requirements.
The following settings are varied:
•Blower - The blower curve is changed
•Stratification - The stratification air temperature is changed
•Ventilation flaps - The angles of the ventilation flaps are changed
The signal of the solar sensor is generated in the solar sensor module. The sensor signal is output in a voltage range of 0....5V. A value outside the limits indicates a malfunction and the influence of the sensor is completely suppressed.
Restrictions:
- E46/R50 Only one solar sensor is fitted. Stratification is not affected.
- E38/E39 Two sensors are fitted in the solar sensor housing, aligned to the left and right.
***************

Regards
RDL
 
#4 ·
rdl said:
It appears to be the solar sensor used by the HVAC
Click to expand...
So that the next person finds this easier ... I added the following keyword-rich sentence to the bestlinks, taking care to use the word "thing" in the search sentence:

- What is this thing (HVAC/IHKA solar sensor) in the middle of my dashboard by the windshield (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Note: I'd still like to know WHERE the other end lies.
Image
 
R
#7 ·
Is the sensor disconnected from its harness? Does it lift out free from any connector?
Mine just sits in the vent slot. The metal clips on the sides of the sensor sort of clip into a recessed ledge in the slot so it doesn't rattle around. It isn't snapped firmly into a locating socket.

If the sensor is not attached to its connector, perhaps you can fish the connector up and reconnect it. The attached jpg image of the TIS page gives you an idea of the routing with the upper dash pad removed.

If you need to remove the upper dash pad it will quite an effort. I'll get the 5 pages of TIS instructions to you if needed. With luck, it won't be necessary.

Regards
RDL
 

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R
#9 · (Edited)
If you have the connector/wires attached to the bottom of the sensor, you're good. Pushing it down doesn't connect anything. Pushing down just positions the sensor where you wish it to be so that friction & the clips hold it in position. It will still move easily with a finger push, or at least mine does. It never bottoms out into a solid location.

If you wish to verify the sensor is connected & functioning, you will have to find a BMW diagnostic system. The system can querry the HVAC for solar sensor for response stepping through a test plan.

Regards
RDL
 
#10 ·
In the future...if you run across something like this and you don't know what it is and there's a BMW part nbr on the thing (like in your pic...the part nbr is to the right of the BMW Roundel embossed into the part)...all you need to do is go to any of the online part database (like www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do ) and type the number into the PART NBR APPLICATION SEARCH box. :)
 
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V
#12 ·
Dear All,

Greetings from Estonia!

Its been 6 years since qurrent topic, but let me answer to the unanswered question: Where the heck solar sensor is connected and how?

Sensor goes directly into IHKA panel, main blue connector X610.
Sensor is hard to get out, due to the reason, that it goes out between airtunnel connection and is attached with doublesided tape. From its connector, sendor is extended into X610 connector.

AND the pin assignment is as follow:

X610 Pin14- Power
X610 Pin15- Left sensor signal
X610 Pin16- Right sensor signal
X610 Pin19- Ground

The reason I struggled with this, is that machine is from year 99 and swapped IHKA is from year 2000.
So basically solar sensor was added starting from facelift models and up.
Many owners, who swapped this panel, to new (2000 &up) have'nt maybe noticed difference in climate control work, but if to scan the system, it shows solar sensor R and L error.
So this was the reason, why I digged into this matter. :D
Installed solar sensor and started to search, where to stick it. :D

No answer around the world forums, but huh. it took some time to dig this out. :D :D

All the best and cheers,
Viljar
 
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