Anybody Know what this is for? - Benzworld.org

micosavo · 01-22-2007, 07:08 AM

I have what looks like a piece of red plastic raised above the dash. It does not look red at the moment but when the sun is shining, it has a reddish tint to it. It is located in the centre, just near the window, between the two main wind-screen vents:

Any ideas would be most helpful

Thanks Guys

Mike

sosh · 01-22-2007, 07:36 AM

Believe thats the "sun sensor".

micosavo · 01-22-2007, 07:41 AM

Thanks for the reply Sosh.

What does the Sun Sensor do? Apart for sensing the sun I mean? What node on the car is reading information from this sensor?

**Musikmann** · 01-22-2007, 08:52 AM

If it's working properly, it sees bright sunlight and increases the fan speed. It therefore works in tandem with our Climate Control systems.

I've never heard the term "node" applied to a car - must be your Irish brogue. Are we saying the same thing?

micosavo · 01-22-2007, 11:34 AM

Yeah, we are! I am an engineer so all parts that make up a whole system (ie, the car!) are called nodes.

As you state the "node" in this case is the Climate Control System and since ireland gets 0.00000001% Sun per year it has probably rusted inside and decided to go on holiday to somewhere warmer! Air conditioning is an expensive optional extra in nearly all cars sold here, except the top marks.

I have had the car since last August, and have not used it once. More than likely I never will. I will be using the heater instead!

Thanks for the info Musikmann & Sosh

**Musikmann** · 01-22-2007, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by micosavo

Yeah, we are! I am an engineer so all parts that make up a whole system (ie, the car!) are called nodes.

Wow, it's great to have found an engineer on here! Maybe some day you'll discover our threads about the 1998-2005 sealed-for-life transmissions too. I don't suppose you are an automotive (or at least a mechanical) one?

micosavo · 01-22-2007, 02:34 PM

I did mechanical engineering when I was in college for 4 years but when i left it coincided with the start of the IT boom in Ireland (circa '99) so for the last 10 years or so my head has been buried in Unix and Windoze Servers. For the last two years I travel around the world for Ericsson installing Mobile Internet gateways for mobile operators that allow them to sell Internet/MMS/SMS functionality to their customers.

But speaking of Mercedes penchant for "Sealed-for-life" & "Maintenance-Free", I have had many an argument with my local dealer about these supposed parts of the car that don't need repair/servicing.

Anyway, thats life I suppose. Nothing like a bit of an argument to get the blood flowing. I haven't read the sealed-for-life threads about the transmissions, but I seriously doubt that something like that could be made in such a way. Things invariably leak. They will Flex, they will resonate with vibrations, they will heat up and cool down. Overtime nothing like that could stay working, except Mother-in-Laws, which are known to never break and there are reports of some models still going strong after 70-80 years...

**Musikmann** · 01-22-2007, 02:40 PM

Hey man, great sense of humour you have as well. I appreciate your learned approach to the transmission issue. The concensus of opinion is that we need to service our lifetime transmissions, but the "jury is still out" on at what mileage the first time, and how often from then on.

Thanks again for your information!