1.Interior temperature sensor
(1)Construction
The interior temperature sensor uses the thermistor and is installed in the instrument panel with the aspirator. The aspirator utilizes the air blown from the blower to suck the air inside the vehicle in order to detect the average interior temperature.
(2)Function
It detects the interior temperature that is used as the basis for the temperature control.
2.Ambient temperature sensor
(1)Construction
The ambient temperature sensor uses the thermistor and is installed at the front of the condenser. It detects the exterior temperature.
(2)Function
It detects the exterior temperature that is used for controlling the fluctuation of the interior temperature caused by the exterior temperature fluctuation.
3.Solar sensor
(1)Construction
The solar sensor uses a photodiode and is installed in the upper portion of the instrument panel. It detects the amount of sunlight.
(2)Function
It detects the amount of sunlight that is used for controlling the fluctuation of the interior temperature caused by the amount of sunlight fluctuation.
4.Evaporator temperature sensor
(1)Construction
The evaporator temperature sensor uses the thermistor and is installed on the evaporator. It detects the temperature of the air passing through the evaporator (surface temperature of the evaporator).
(2)Function
It is used for frost prevention, temperature and time-lag airflow control.
5.Water temperature sensor
(1)Construction
The water temperature sensor uses the thermistor. It detects the coolant temperature based on the engine water temperature sensor. The signal is transmitted from the engine ECU.
In some models, the water temperature sensor is installed at the heater core.
(2)Function
It is used for temperature control, warm-up control, etc.
Some vehicles are equipped with the following sensors.
Duct sensors
The duct sensors use the thermistor and are installed at inside of the side register. It detects the temperature of the air blown toward the side register and precisely controls the air temperature of the individual airflow.
Smog ventilation sensor
The smog ventilation sensor is installed in the front portion of the vehicle and detects the level of CO (carbon monoxide), HC (hydrocarbons), and NOx (oxides of nitrogen) to control switching between FRESH and RECIRC.