dash vent screw?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 93
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From: NE Ohio
dash vent screw?
I just took possesssion of a 98 C5 over the week end (long time coming) and way I was looking it over and noticed that it is missing a screw on what looks like the front defroster vent. but the screw is not a regular screw it is round and sticks up from the dash, almost like a finger tighten screw. Can anyone tell me where I might buy one of these? And if it is a dealer item, does anyone know what the part number is? (I don't think I can get a parts department dealer to know what I'm talking about with out taking the car and showing him the peice). Any direction is appreciated
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 1
From: Torrance CA
If you look at the dash vent, what you are calling a screw is a sensor which looks like a little dome sticking up. I don't recall what the sensor is for, but I think it is for the climate control. This dome shaped sensor is only on the passenger side. On the drivers side is another sensor which looks like a little LED but it does not stick up past the surface of the vent. If you have a hole there, the sensor may have fallen out as it twists into the back of the vent. You may be able to pop the vent off with a screwdriver (I don't think there are any screws on it, check) and fish the wiring out and reconnect it. Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 0
From: arlington tx
the sensor on the drivers side is for the twilight sent controlled headlights, on the cars so equipped. my parents 02 has the little dome looking sensor there, mine doesnt but now mine has a flashing LED there for the alarm. looks very very stock.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
the sensor is an ALS sensor ( ambient light sensor ).
gm uses two different types. The single dome type strictly senses light and turns the daytime running lamps on and off. the second type is a small dome inside a slightly larger dome also controls the hvac system based on sun load.
gm uses two different types. The single dome type strictly senses light and turns the daytime running lamps on and off. the second type is a small dome inside a slightly larger dome also controls the hvac system based on sun load.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 407
Likes: 2
From: Mesquite, Texas
Originally Posted by T1000
How do I know what is missing then? I have a dome on the passenger side, but on the driver side there is a hole where something is missing.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,174
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From: arlington tx
once again, the light sensor is for auto light only cars. ours dont have that option. the hole is empty on the early non auto lamp'd cars. when i added my LED i did not have to remove anything. i just used the stock empty hole. the DRLs dont have a sensor. they come on no matter what the light is unless the parking brake is on.
as for the poster about asking about my LED, yes its functional. its wired w/the ground going to an accessory/on positin fuse, and power going to contstant. that way, when u turn the car off, the acc/on posision is off so it goes to ground and activiates the light. so yes, as soon as i turn car off the LED flashes. stops when i turn car on. ill post pics sometime, its covered since im goin outta town and it wont be driven for a while.
as for the poster about asking about my LED, yes its functional. its wired w/the ground going to an accessory/on positin fuse, and power going to contstant. that way, when u turn the car off, the acc/on posision is off so it goes to ground and activiates the light. so yes, as soon as i turn car off the LED flashes. stops when i turn car on. ill post pics sometime, its covered since im goin outta town and it wont be driven for a while.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 93
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From: NE Ohio
Great info/help, the car I just purchased is a 98 model, so maybe it didn't come with the ambient light sensor? I'll have to check the manual. sebringsilver97coupe I would be really interested in seeing that picture, I would like to do something in that spot, it looks like something is missing when you look at that hole. Thanks again for all the feedback and info.
