9000 CS L4-2290cc 2.3L DOHC Turbo EFI (1996)
Solar Sensor: Description and Operation
The solar sensor is located on the top of the facia. It registers solar intensity but also height and azimuth through the windscreen. In older year models
(-1989), only solar intensity is measured.
Solar height is measured between 0° (horizontally) and 90° (vertically). The azimuth reading covers 360°, where 0° is directly forwards, 90° directly to
the right etc.
In year model 1995, the solar sensor is powered from pin 5 and transmits a series of pulses back to pin 6 on the Automatic Climate Control (ACC)
control module.
These series of pulses are then processed in the control module's microprocessor.
The solar sensor is grounded to pin 35 on the ACC control module.
The solar sensor consists of five solar cells which are soldered to a circuit board which is in turn encased in a plastic box filled with silicone. In earlier
year models, the microprocessor was also encased with the sensor. The electronics are now located in the ACC control module.
