Little bump on dashboard

I have an 05 3s and there's a thing that looks like a bump on the dashboard. It's located in the center of the dashboard, close to the windshield. It's on all of the 3's, and it looks like an alarm indicator light. The 05's didn't come with any alarm system, so i don't think it's for that. When i was test driving the car, i thought it was a light sensor for automatic headlights. My dad had a trailblazer, and it had that same bump, and the chevy dealer said it was used for the automatic headlights. Like the alarm, the 05's didn't come with auto lights. What the hell is it?
Thanks

i cant remember if i saw anything like that on my wife's 07 ... i just detailed it yesterday.. but i didnt think i saw anything on the dash.. sorry

It's the sensor/antenna for the central locking system.
 
 

quote:

ORIGINAL: virgin1


It's the sensor/antenna for the central locking system.

are you certain about that?  i was under the impression that it is the sensor for automatic windshield wipers.  it is common for that part of the dashboard to crack around the "bump", so keep your eye on it and get it taken care of under warranty if you notice anything.  there was a recall on this.

unfortunately, i cracked too late.  my warranty expired slightly earlier than the crack appeared.  there is a nice crack from front to back around the "bump" which i cannot get fixed under warranty.  argh

Yup.  I'm pretty sure.  This question has been covered before, again and again....  'Sides, where else would the remote pick up the signal from?
 
 
 

I've never seen that thing on any other car. huh. i thought it was some cool feature i never knew about. Thanks for the answer.

Actually I think that's the location for one of the sensors for the ACC system.  Obviously in non-equipped cars it's just a dummy though.

the wiper senser is up under the rear view mirror.... from the oustide its a blue dot.

it's stated in the owner's manual, it's a sunlight/temperature sensor for the fully automatic A/C system.


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good look wineye.  thanks for clearing that up.

AHHH, great because my next question was going to be, what's the vent like thing under the ignition. killed two bird with one stone. thanks win!

quote:

ORIGINAL: wineye

it's stated in the owner's manual, it's a sunlight/temperature sensor for the fully automatic A/C system.


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Hmmm.  Curious.  In '04 Mazda didn't offer a fully automatic climate control, yet mine has both of those features?
I mean, perhaps you're correct and have finally resolved this question (with proof, I might add,) but why would they even be in my car if they hadn't yet been thought of or optioned?
I have often wondered what that "grill" near the ign switch was too.
 
 

That would need some detective work, Virg. but my question is that why the A/C need a sunlight sensor?

Wasn't the auto climate control offered on the sp23? That's the only one i can think of.

quote:

ORIGINAL: wineye
That would need some detective work, Virg. but my question is that why the A/C need a sunlight sensor?

To detect UV infiltration into the interior???  I don't know for sure.  'Pure guess, but a good question.
 
 

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lev
Wasn't the auto climate control offered on the sp23? That's the only one i can think of.

I believe you are correct about that one too.  It was the GT (of north America) of it's day, but only in '05.
I only know one guy that has an SP (sedan) and was only in his car once. 
IIRC, he did have auto climate control, but may not be remembering very well? (I'm gettin' olllddd!!! )  I do remember he had brown leather interior (blah!!,) and the navi system and that it was a PITA to use. For $1700 they can keep it, even though I admit to being the world's worst navigator.  (<<< This is true!)    
 
 
 

Oh sure I say it for the ACC but no one believes ME. j/k  The sunlight sensor is a just a radiant heat sensor.  So even if the temp. is okay in the car it can see if you're being sunned to death and drop it down a bit more to keep you comfortable.

Oh and the sp23 didn't have ACC.  I don't think tha the bump in the dash is actually a sensor, just a plastic dummy.  As to why it's in all the trim levels.... it's just cheaper to not redo the entire dash between different models.

quote:

ORIGINAL: icspots
Oh sure I say it for the ACC but no one believes ME. j/k 

Oh and the sp23 didn't have ACC.  I don't think that the bump in the dash is actually a sensor, just a plastic dummy. 

 
Well... Win DID after all show proof that no one else had access to!!  Hey, I thought it was for the central locking system as many others I know did, but what do I know.    Don;t take it personally, Spots. 
 
As I'd said, I really couldn't remember myself (re: sp23.)  It was like 2 yrs ago at a meet and ACC didn't mean much to me at the time, so I questioned the validity of own memory.
So that's at least two years of general production (three in the rest of the world) where the ACC wasn't available, but the "bumps" and "grills"were installed anyway??  Weird.
 
Off-topic:  How's your other little project(s) coming?