1997 E36 328i outside temp sensor

[bigman_328i_sport]

right guys, ive done the 18 button retrofit.. i even went and bought a genuine e36 outside temp sensor.

all wired in the obc works great but its really cold clearly at -35F outside

so.. the sensor doesnt work, tried it on my mates e36 and it stil doesnt read. oh well.. now, i was wondering.
the e36 sensor's are few and far between, could i hust get an outside temp sensor from any other car and just wire it up? also just for my sanity, the sensor needs the 1 wire (brown and grey IIRC) from the obc then just ground on the brown wire?

[Ferret]

If it's reading -35c, then it is working correctly.

But it takes ALONG time to settle at the right temp'. No one knows why.
Once it is upto temp', if you unplug it, and plug it back in it'll read -37.5c again.

[bigman_328i_sport]

If it's reading -35c, then it is working correctly.

But it takes ALONG time to settle at the right temp'. No one knows why.
Once it is upto temp', if you unplug it, and plug it back in it'll read -37.5c again.

it still reads -35 when its unplugged - im guessing thats a default reading?

[Ferret]

The default is -37.5c, so if it's stuck at -35c even when unplugged, then i'm not sure whats going on, maybe check your wiring.

[bigman_328i_sport]

The default is -37.5c, so if it's stuck at -35c even when unplugged, then i'm not sure whats going on, maybe check your wiring.

it may be -35.5. all the wires aere correct, checked and re-checked. the sensor desont work so i have removed it from the car and sent it back for a refund.

will any other temp sensor work, i see no reason why it wudnt? only if the continuity is different or something?

[Ferret]

You still don't seem confident as to what your temp' is displaying... Do you want to double check it !

Because if it's at -35c or -35.5c and never moves, then I would suggest a wire is wrong, and the temp' is taking a feed from something else.

[bigman_328i_sport]

You still don't seem confident as to what your temp' is displaying... Do you want to double check it !

Because if it's at -35c or -35.5c and never moves, then I would suggest a wire is wrong, and the temp' is taking a feed from something else.

its not going to move as there is no sensor attatched to it?? the wire is isolated and taped up behind the unit.

[Ferret]

No idea then.

[bigman_328i_sport]

will any other temp sensor work, i see no reason why it wudnt? only if the continuity is different or something?

[Daler69]

The sensor is a thermocouple, there are loads of different thermocouples out there made of different materials and therefore different resistance ranges.. You will be very lucky to find another thermocouple that works.. Try your friends sensor, if that one is working in his car then u know the sensor is good, leave it on yours for a good couple of days (If you mate will let ya!) and see what happens there.

If the temp still doesnt move then i would suggest u need a new OBC