We just got our 2003 mini cooper and was wondering what the little button on top of the dash under winshield was for. Is it a temperture gauge or something? The car is great and drives like a dream. Thanks

 

I believe that it's one of the sensors for the automatic climate control system. That button may even be there (unused) if you don't have auto climate. There are threads about that elsewhere on MCO. You should do a search.

 

Thanks, I am new to the car and Forum, I hope to have everything figured out soon! :smile:

 

ycatsman,
Hi. Welcome to the board!
Congrats on the MINI!!! I'm sure your loving it.

Re: button/light.
My understanding is that it's actually an LED which is for the pre-wired alarm system. I could be wrong. I'm sure there are others here that can shed more light on this.

Again welcome to the site.
When you have a chance please post some pics of your new Baby in our Members MINIs Gallery.

Happy Motoring,
SW

 

The "button" on the center of the dash is a sensor for the automatic climate control system. I think is measures the amount of light available and adjusts the fan speed (higher fan speed to cool off the car on sunny days). If the factory alarm is installed, the LED for that is located on the windshield wiper stalk on the steering column.

Welcome to the site.

K-Dog

 

Yep, that button on top of the dash is just a temperature (Not light) sensor used by the Automatic Climate Control system. If you have the standard manual A/C controls, you won't have this sensor in your dashboard.

 

Are you guys sure about that? I was told it's an antenna for the remote key, and I believe that because my friend's 199? Chevy Blazer also has one off to the right side on the dash (his is tan, mine is purple). The climate control sensors are actually on the lower corners of the head deck of the AC control panel (two little holes, one on each side). Yes? No? That's what the MINI manual shows. Besides, a dashboard that gets bombarded with sunlight seems like a stupid place to put a temperature sensor.

 

>>Are you guys sure about that? I was told it's an antenna for the remote key, and I believe that because my friend's 199? Chevy Blazer also has one off to the right side on the dash (his is tan, mine is purple). The climate control sensors are actually on the lower corners of the head deck of the AC control panel (two little holes, one on each side). Yes? No? That's what the MINI manual shows. Besides, a dashboard that gets bombarded with sunlight seems like a stupid place to put a temperature sensor.


Yep, sure about that. I have a 2001 Chevy Impala and it happens to have the "Button" in top of my dash as well. It is the sensor for the automatic headlights.

The MINI does not have it because I have the manual A/C controls.

My ex-1997 Acura 2.5TL had the smae button on the dash. It was the sensor for the automatic climate control.

 

This is so cool. I just got another packet in the mail from MINI.

OK...According to my new packet that I just got from MINI information Services.

Which includes A Mini Note, a Unauthorized Owner's Manual and the Top 10 idiosyncrasies of your new mini.

Number 4 of the top 10 idiosyncrasies of your new mini says and I quote:

4. What's the little "buton" on the top of the dash?

Actually, this is a small sensor. Not a button. It's not neccessary to push it. Although you may if you want to. It's merely a UV sensor for the automatic A/C option. If you don't have automatic A/C, then you won't have the "button." Don't worry about it.

unquote.



_________________
Diamond Mini

 

I just wanted to "revive" this little thread, because I have been wondering about this for almost two months now. Cool! BTW: I never got that package you speak of...does this come after the mug?

 

I got that pack too w/ the info about the "button" It is for the Climate Control. I haven't gotten the mug yet. This is the first pack I have gotten so far!