Optical sensor on Dash

[mackguy]

Did a search for this and didn't find anything...

My 2011 Touring has a little black dome on the driver side on top of the dash. My Cadillac had a similar dome that I always assumed was for the auto headlights, but my CX-9 does not have auto headlights, or rain sensing wipers (and I know the sensor on Mazda is near the rearview mirror anyway)...

So what is this little sensor for?

 

[BRIAN_MP5T]

Probably just an empty sensor to plug the hole..

 

[HOLOHOLO]

That could be the sunlight detector for the climate control system.

You are correct about the rain/light sensor being in the mirror unit.

 

[mackguy]

What would a sunlight sensor for climate control do? That seems to make sense though since the other sensors wouldn't be in that location anyway.

 

[HOLOHOLO]

You'll have to ask the Mazda engineers, but documentation states it identifies if the front window and dash are exposed to direct sunlight. Together with the interior/exterior temp sensors, they probably prompt the climate controls to provide a little boost, (or not, if you are using the heater).

 

[ceric]

HOLOHOLO is right.
Its input to climate control system helps determine which vent should output more cold/warm air.
How sophisticated? Not mentioned in the WorkShop manual, either.

 

[HOLOHOLO]

I have to say, the climate control system on our car is amazing.

Yesterday, I put the driver side on 69 deg and the passenger on 85 deg. Feeling the hot / cold air pumping out discreetly through different air ducts was impressive! It does a great job of smoothly controlling the airflow as well. For up to 3 subsystems! Well done.

 

[duce2k]

You are right , this is my first car with multiple zone climate control and my daughter just loves that she has her own a/c to mess with while sitting in the back