Am I Missing Something? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

zudotomi · 03-02-2009, 06:25 PM

I've had my new 'rolla for 1 week, I just noticed the windshield defogger strip directly in front has a plastic cover - like a rounded button about 3/4" - covering a hole on the left (driver) side of said front windshield defogger, but seems to be missing one on the right side. There's just hole on the right side with a criss-crossed plastic grille inside of it. Is there supposed to be a plastic cover on this too? Thanks in advance, if you check on your '09 Corolla for me - older ones don't have this cover.

pmcd76 · 03-02-2009, 06:55 PM

i believe that is the sensor for the automatic headlights, if we are thinking the same thing.

zudotomi · 03-02-2009, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmcd76

i believe that is the sensor for the automatic headlights, if we are thinking the same thing.

Thanks for the reply. The "missing plastic cover" is located on the dashboard near the base of the windshield. There's that small button-shaped cover on the left side, but not on the right side of the windshield vent. Is there a sensor up there, or is it merely a missing plastic cover??? Hmmm...

pmcd76 · 03-02-2009, 08:50 PM

do you mean this? because that is for the auto headlights.

CJCride · 03-02-2009, 09:25 PM

Check the a dealer showroom.

Sounds like a photoresistor for the Automatic Headlights though.

Jeff Lange · 03-03-2009, 12:50 AM

One on the left is for the automatic headlight control, one on the right is for the automatic climate control (if car is so equipped - Canadian LE models have this). If you do not have automatic climate control, there will just be a flat, non-domed plastic blank-plate in it's place.

Jeff

zudotomi · 03-03-2009, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmcd76

do you mean this? because that is for the auto headlights.

Yes, that's exactly it! Thank you for clearing that up for me. Much appreciated.

zudotomi · 03-03-2009, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Lange

One on the left is for the automatic headlight control, one on the right is for the automatic climate control (if car is so equipped - Canadian LE models have this). If you do not have automatic climate control, there will just be a flat, non-domed plastic blank-plate in it's place.

Jeff

Thanks so much for answering my question. I'm learning about all this stuff - that part wasn't covered in the manual (my last car was 22 years old - believe me, there's quite a few changes to get used to) and I'm glad to have found such a great place here!

Hamster Inspector · 03-03-2009, 06:37 PM

It is the automatic headlight sensor, all you have to do is put something over it and your headlight will go on. There is is a place on the other side for the cars that have right hand drive, like in Japan, Australia, or New Zealand. When it gets warmer I am going to see if it is possible to put a flashing blue light in that empty headlight sensor place to ward off car theives.

Jeff Lange · 03-03-2009, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hamster Inspector

For the cars that have right hand drive, like in Japan, Australia, or New Zealand.

Places like that have a completely different dash mould, it's not for that, it's for the automatic climate control, like I mentioned before. Check out an LE model next time you walk past one.

You'll see another sensor in there.

It's a pretty decent place to put a security light though.

Jeff