I have a 2002 JCW with the IHKA AC that I had to replace the blower motor resistor in. After pulling the whole dash and replacing it, I can't recall where the other end of the solar sensor plugs in at. I know it's located in the center of the dash, and there's a connector about 12 inches down from there but it goes under the dash through the wiring harness and I can't recall nor find the location it plugs in to on the back end. Can anyone enlighten me to the answer to this baffling question. I am one click away from completing the replacement job.

 

The solar sensor is on the top of the dash, where the sun can shine on it.

 

What I see in the wiring diagrams is that the wire from the solar sensor plugs into a connector in the vicinity of the oval vent at the top of the dash, and from there the wiring runs down to the back of the AC/heater control panel.

 

Thanks for the 411, at least I now can focus on that area looking for the plug. It doesn't go in the back of the A/C control only two plugs there. 1.) main harness, 2.) the temp sensor
If you come up with a picture of where it is plugged in at, post it. I ve been through the Bentley manual upside down and backwards three times looking for it. I ve also checked all the parts diagrams I can find with no luck.

 

This is from the BMW WDS (Wiring Diagram System, BMW's interactive "official" wiring diagrams).

http://www.bmw-planet.com/diagrams/r.../r50/index.htm



The locator images are missing on the bmw-planet.com website. I have a copy of WDS on my computer at home. For connector X18786, it brings up an image of the top of the dash. The image has an arrow pointing to the solar sensor labeled B66, and an arrow pointing to the oval vent labeled X18786. I can upload the image tonight, but isn't more specific than that.

Edit: found it on my laptop.

 

It sounds like you're almost done! The solar sensor typically connects to the IHKA control module or adjacent ambient light wiring hidden behind the center console, so my recommendation is to trace the wiring harness backward from the HVAC control unit.

 

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