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what is "eye" left dash corner near windshield?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by bacinmass, Sep 12, 2007.

  1. bacinmass

    bacinmass Junior Member

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    Hi Guys,

    Someone here always seems to know the odds/ends of our endlessly fascinating vehicles, so here's a question for you:

    If you look in the front left corner of the dashboard, up where the dashboard meets the windshield, there is a small (1/2"?) bubble eye located there. Does anyone know it's purpose?

    If this were a Lexus with automatic windshield wipers, or lights that go on automatically, I might have thought it is an electric eye for one of those functions. But since we don't have those toys on our Priuii, what is it?

    Just curious.

    Many thanks!
     
    #1 bacinmass, Sep 12, 2007
  2. bacinmass

    bacinmass Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2005
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    0
    Location:
    Outside Boston, MA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Hi Guys,

    Someone here always seems to know the odds/ends of our endlessly fascinating vehicles, so here's a question for you:

    If you look in the front left corner of the dashboard, up where the dashboard meets the windshield, there is a small (1/2"?) bubble eye located there. Does anyone know it's purpose?

    If this were a Lexus with automatic windshield wipers, or lights that go on automatically, I might have thought it is an electric eye for one of those functions. But since we don't have those toys on our Priuii, what is it?

    Just curious.

    Many thanks!
     
    #2 bacinmass, Sep 12, 2007
  3. Sonny Jim

    Sonny Jim New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bacinmass @ Sep 12 2007, 04:06 PM) [snapback]511611[/snapback]</div>
    :mellow:
     
    #3 Sonny Jim, Sep 12, 2007
  4. Sonny Jim

    Sonny Jim New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bacinmass @ Sep 12 2007, 04:06 PM) [snapback]511611[/snapback]</div>
    :mellow:
     
    #4 Sonny Jim, Sep 12, 2007
  5. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

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    The "bubble" is part of the climate control system. It senses the outside influence on the cabin temperature and thus adjusts the inside heat/cooling (fan speed) when the controls are set to auto AC.
     
    #5 firepa63, Sep 12, 2007
  6. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

    Joined:
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    The "bubble" is part of the climate control system. It senses the outside influence on the cabin temperature and thus adjusts the inside heat/cooling (fan speed) when the controls are set to auto AC.
     
    #6 firepa63, Sep 12, 2007
  7. narf

    narf Active Member

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    2016 Prius
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    Four Touring
    More precisely, it measures the solar gain in the the cabin, so the cooling is increased on a sunny day vs night time at the same cabin temperature. Canadian cars have two bubbles, the second switches the headlight from half brightness DRL in the day to full brightness headlights at night.
     
    #7 narf, Sep 12, 2007
  8. narf

    narf Active Member

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
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    Four Touring
    More precisely, it measures the solar gain in the the cabin, so the cooling is increased on a sunny day vs night time at the same cabin temperature. Canadian cars have two bubbles, the second switches the headlight from half brightness DRL in the day to full brightness headlights at night.
     
    #8 narf, Sep 12, 2007
  9. bacinmass

    bacinmass Junior Member

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    Thanks, guys!

    The sophistication of this car is amazing!
     
    #9 bacinmass, Sep 12, 2007
  10. bacinmass

    bacinmass Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2005
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    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Thanks, guys!

    The sophistication of this car is amazing!
     
    #10 bacinmass, Sep 12, 2007
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