Body, generic

B0162 Sun Load Sensor 2 Circuit

Check engine lightUsually off
EmissionsNot relevant
Drive cycleNot required
Limp modeNo

No public carmaker source and no publicly available J2012 list covers B0162. The title implies a second sun load channel, as used for dual-zone climate control: Eaton's patent US5957375A describes a sensor that sees how much sun reaches separate areas of the cabin so each side can be cooled on its own. US6888120B2 achieves this with two lenses and two photodiodes split by an opaque section, one for the driver and one for the passenger side. GM, by contrast, covers its whole multi-zone sensor with one code, B0183, in the 2011 Saab 9-4X; if no value is available the module assumes 0 W/m², 45° elevation and −75° azimuth. Losing the second channel leaves one side poorly compensated.

Likely causes

Second photodiode or channel of a dual-zone sun sensor failed
Connector of the sensor in the dash top cover loose or damaged
Signal wire of the second channel open or shorted

Symptoms

  • One side of the cabin gets too warm in sun while the other is fine
  • Dual-zone automatic reacts to sunshine only on one side

Repair estimate

DifficultyMediumDIY possible
Parts and labour€30–200
Time0.3–1.5 h

Typical range across vehicles; the real cost depends on what the testing finds.

Parts involved

sun load sensor 2hvac control module

Related codes

B0156B0305

References: patents.google.com, patents.google.com, saabwisonline.com.