External Temperature reading... Faulty!

[anonymous1]

Hi,

Just another quick one.

The external temp that shows on the OBC display continuously reads -37 and I'm just wondering if this will be affecting anything or if it is it's done by a separate sensore to the normal one? It's been like this since I bought the vehicle, but only just started wondering if it could be affecting anything else.

Thanks in advance.

[dacoyote]

I believe the OBC sensor is only used for the OBC...

[JD525IA]

Hi,

Just another quick one.

The external temp that shows on the OBC display continuously reads -37 and I'm just wondering if this will be affecting anything or if it is it's done by a separate sensore to the normal one? It's been like this since I bought the vehicle, but only just started wondering if it could be affecting anything else.

Thanks in advance.


Look under your front bumper. There is a small hole next to the left fog light, and behind that small hole is your temp sensor. See if it is either disconnected, or maybe has a cut wire. It is fairly straightforward and easy to fix.

JD

[Ross]

The sensor is for the ambient temp display only and won't effect anything else. -37 indicates an open circuit, usually at the connector to the sensor from corrosion.

[artguy]

:D
http://www.captive1.com/mrk/OBC_input_unit_w.jpg

[repenttokyo]

pretty sure that the AC will not kick on if the exterior temp reading is below a certain level - someone want to correct me if I'm wrong?

[Ross]

I heard that Michigan winters are a bitch.

[anonymous1]

Hi,

Thanks for the input on ths one. The temp sensor is now fixed, to a certain degree (No pun intended). Had a look and the wire had snapped at the point where it meets the connector block on the sensor itself. Had to cut away the rubber on the connector block to the sensor and then used more connector blocks to splice the wires back together. Only issue now is there isn't enough wire for it to go back were it was, so instead it's cable tied to the side of the engine and reads hotter than it prob should. (Least I never remember a 30oC winter in sunny old UK)! But at least the OBC doesn't beep at even turn of the key now to tell me I have a remote chance of dying from minus -37oC temp. :D

Thanks again.

[Dave M]

Hi,

Thanks for the input on ths one. The temp sensor is now fixed, to a certain degree (No pun intended). Had a look and the wire had snapped at the point where it meets the connector block on the sensor itself. Had to cut away the rubber on the connector block to the sensor and then used more connector blocks to splice the wires back together. Only issue now is there isn't enough wire for it to go back were it was, so instead it's cable tied to the side of the engine and reads hotter than it prob should. (Least I never remember a 30oC winter in sunny old UK)! But at least the OBC doesn't beep at even turn of the key now to tell me I have a remote chance of dying from minus -37oC temp. :D

Thanks again.

Good job. Wire is cheap, and it shouldn't take much to get the sensor back in its home.

DAve

[Qube]

Isn't this where the temp is read for the AC compressor and/or the heated mirrors?

[repenttokyo]

Isn't this where the temp is read for the AC compressor and/or the heated mirrors?


yes.

[billy]

yes.


no actually, the heated mirrors are on regardless - they come on with ignition

according to the wiring diagrams

[Jehu]

I figured this temp sensor must interface with the ac system somehow. Its still been in the lower 40's at the highest here and i tried my AC yesterday but found warm air still mixing overpowering any chill you'd expect from the ac system even though i may be low on refrigerant. What is the temp at which the system allows the ac to engage?

[billy]

its +1 degree c

i would have thought that should you press the ac below this temp then the ac light won't illuminate

[repenttokyo]

no actually, the heated mirrors are on regardless - they come on with ignition

according to the wiring diagrams


the heated mirrors only come on when you turn on the rear defrost, as far as I know...why would they heat in the summer?

[Paul in NZ]

I beleive the mirrors always turn on with ignition ....they dont heat much,just enough to melt then evaporate any water on the mirror glass...next time you get a frsty mornin turn the car on without turnig anything elase on...in a few minutes your mirrors will be steamin...

[e34.535i.sport]

I beleive the mirrors always turn on with ignition ....they dont heat much,just enough to melt then evaporate any water on the mirror glass...next time you get a frsty mornin turn the car on without turnig anything elase on...in a few minutes your mirrors will be steamin...

+1 mine do this... If its 24degrees(C) in your car in winter Captain you'd better invest in some aircon!!!!! ;)

[anonymous1]

Hi,

I haven't got AC on the car, so unsure if this problem would have had an adverse affect on this. The heated wing mirrors didn't seem to be affected by it. Sometimes my temp will still be reading +24oC after I have left the vehicle for a while, due to the sensors proximity to the engine since the fix and they still come on.

Long as the beep everytime I turn the key is gone I'm pretty happy for now. :D

Dave - Not sure I'll be able to add any wire onto the amount that is left, had to cut back the rubber boots on the connector to get enough for the splice. Think I'd need to buy a new sensor as the connector block is seems fused to it. (Presume it's from those -37oC snow blizzards my car said we were having! ;) )