fualty outside temperature reading

[lynnae endersby]

Hi there,

I own a 2001 e46 318i, this morning my outside temperature started reading its 50 degrees celcius outside. After restarting the car and turning the ignition on and off the reading stayed at 50 degrees.

Is this a common problem? Does this mean the temperature gauge is faulty/needs to be replaced?

thanks
Lynnae

 

[Sankekur]

most probably, but is might also just not be connected properly, it is in the plastic cover under the front bumper on the passenger side just in front of the front wheel.

Not sure if this is such a common problem, the one on my car was also shot when I got it, but I haven't heard of a lot of other guys with this kind of problem.

 

[4u2nv]

Its common on the E46, i had the same issue on a few cars, did not bother to much about it, but check your sensor,you will find this plastic cover under the front bumper on the passenger side just in front of the front wheel.

 

[netercol]

very little that can go wrong with the sensor itself, its usually the wiring that gets damaged since the sensor sits in the passenger side front inner fender liner, and if the liner gets damaged or shifts or anything, the wiring breaks.. if i remember correctly a dis will show -50 and a short will show +50..

 

[Hellas]

Yes, if the sensor is missing, it will show negative temp.

 

[XMAX]

not sure if its the case with all e46's .... the sensor was missing on my 330D and the car indicated +50deg.

i fitted a second hand one and it worked ok for a while, but now is showing me some rather erratic and incorrect temperatures. in mid winter it showed me 30deg. i think that it might be a wiring problem.


anyways, the temp sensor is a two wire setup. should be an easy enough swop.

 

[ver328i]

Leimie from E30clubsa has a link with "ambient temparature sensors." He'll be able to get you one.

He posted on this forum as well

http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=18967

 

[Rapido WP]

We had a very cold Saturday last week and I'm glad to say that when I started, the temp flashed the 3 degrees ice warning. Nice to know that works.