Dash Sensors

[orbs]

Hello All,

After months spent reading the forum and scouring the land for one, I finally bought my RAV last week!!!

Sorry if this sounds like a daft question, but having read the handbook, I'm still none the wiser. I have a 2006 D XT4 model, can anyone confirm what those sensors situated on the dash actually do??

Many thanks,

[freestyle]

Hello All,

After months spent reading the forum and scouring the land for one, I finally bought my RAV last week!!!

Sorry if this sounds like a daft question, but having read the handbook, I'm still none the wiser. I have a 2006 D XT4 model, can anyone confirm what those sensors situated on the dash actually do??

Many thanks,

Do you have the automatic lights?

[orbs]

Hello All,

After months spent reading the forum and scouring the land for one, I finally bought my RAV last week!!!

Sorry if this sounds like a daft question, but having read the handbook, I'm still none the wiser. I have a 2006 D XT4 model, can anyone confirm what those sensors situated on the dash actually do??

Many thanks,

Do you have the automatic lights?

Erm...I'm not sure, as I havent actually driven it in the dark yet!! I did try covering them up to see if any lights came on but they didnt seem to....

[shcm]

It's unlikely (but not impossible) you have autolights on an XT4.

However, there is a solar sensor on the dash for the climate control/aircon/hevac (whatever your favourite term is for it).

[orbs]

Ah, that makes sense, thanks guys!

[Davrav]

Ah, that makes sense, thanks guys!

If I remember correctly, one of them is a sensor for the 'opitron' dash light system.

[anchorman]

The XT4 just has one sensor for the climate control

[orbs]

The XT4 just has one sensor for the climate control

I have two sensors, so one will be for my dash lights, and t'other for my climate control then, makes sense (excuse the pun!), thanks again everyone!!

[anchorman]

The XT4 just has one sensor for the climate control

I have two sensors, so one will be for my dash lights, and t'other for my climate control then, makes sense (excuse the pun!), thanks again everyone!!

I think you'll find one is for the aircon and the other is a plug!!!!

No auto lights on a XT4 as far as I know?

[Davrav]

The XT4 just has one sensor for the climate control

I have two sensors, so one will be for my dash lights, and t'other for my climate control then, makes sense (excuse the pun!), thanks again everyone!!

I think you'll find one is for the aircon and the other is a plug!!!!

No auto lights on a XT4 as far as I know?

So where have they put the sensor for the 'opitron' dash light system

[shcm]

So where have they put the sensor for the 'opitron' dash light system

At the back of your retina, with direct digital brightness adjustment activation link (i.e. your finger on the spinny wheel dimming thingy).

There isn't one as far as I know. Is it mentioned in the handbook or something?

[Davrav]

So where have they put the sensor for the 'opitron' dash light system

At the back of your retina, with direct digital brightness adjustment activation link (i.e. your finger on the spinny wheel dimming thingy).

There isn't one as far as I know. Is it mentioned in the handbook or something?

Have you not noticed the guage dial intensity change independently when outside light levels change?

I think it is described as an 'electroluninescence' system.

The 'spinny wheel dimming thingy' [great description SCHM ] only changes the brightness when the exterior lights are on.

Come on folks back me up here or am I more senile than I thought OK, Don't answer that

[orbs]

So where have they put the sensor for the 'opitron' dash light system

At the back of your retina, with direct digital brightness adjustment activation link (i.e. your finger on the spinny wheel dimming thingy).

There isn't one as far as I know. Is it mentioned in the handbook or something?

Have you not noticed the guage dial intensity change independently when outside light levels change?

I think it is described as an 'electroluninescence' system.

The 'spinny wheel dimming thingy' [great description SCHM ] only changes the brightness when the exterior lights are on.

Come on folks back me up here or am I more senile than I thought OK, Don't answer that

I have noticed the dash dials change levels now you mention it... wha-hoo some high tec kit on my Rav, that cant be bad!!!

[shcm]

Have you not noticed the guage dial intensity change independently when outside light levels change?

Er, no, sorry not really. Unless you mean when ambient light is very bright, then there seems to be very little pack illumination - but I put that down to the ambient light just being brighter than the pack back-lighting.

[quote name='Davrav' date='11 October 2010 - 07:52 PM' timestamp='1286823120' post='1053231'

The 'spinny wheel dimming thingy' [great description SCHM ] only changes the brightness when the exterior lights are on.

My SWDT (spinny.....) controls the pack lighting intensity whether the exterior lights are on or off. The overall brightness level goes down if the lights are on, unless the SWDT is pushed passed its end stop click, then you get full intensity all the time - useful when headlights on during the day and you want bright pack illumination e.g. in rain

Perhaps they did a cost down on the later models, but I don't remember it being any different on my previous 4.3.

[anchorman]

What have you been drinking Dave

There is nothing in the circuits to change the intensity of the instrument lighting. As shcm says, there is a profound difference when direct light hits them from the front, so much so that the warning panel actually reverses from orange with dark letters to orange with blank letters. This is a distinct improvement over the old LCD displays that were invisible with sunlight on them.

Try covering the blank over, you will see it makes no difference. The second sensor when used is another lumpy one and is for auto lights.

[Davrav]

What have you been drinking Dave

There is nothing in the circuits to change the intensity of the instrument lighting. As shcm says, there is a profound difference when direct light hits them from the front, so much so that the warning panel actually reverses from orange with dark letters to orange with blank letters. This is a distinct improvement over the old LCD displays that were invisible with sunlight on them.

Try covering the blank over, you will see it makes no difference. The second sensor when used is another lumpy one and is for auto lights.

Just trying to get my head round this. Basically, from what you say, it is an optical phenomena that the intensity of the gauges, including the gradations changes depending on the ambient light level and angle of incidence?

[anchorman]

Yes - due to them being back lit. I will see if I have a pdf of some sort

[anchorman]

Yes - due to them being back lit. I will see if I have a pdf of some sort

meter.pdf

sensor.pdf

In a RHD the light sensor stays on the left.

[Davrav]

So it's all down to contrast then. Any sudden changes in apparent dial intensity are due to sudden changes in ambient lightlevel. Thanks for clearing that up Anchs