Outside Air Temperature

Mar 2, 2019
4
3
The outside air temperature display on my 2016 1.4 Fr is playing up. Today it was hovering around 8.5 to 9.5 when it was about 3 outside and frosty. I’ve found a few posts about various VAG models with similar problems, some were fixed with a new sensor, some weren’t. Has anyone had a similar problem and fixed it? Thanks.
 

RUM4MO

Active Member
Jun 4, 2008
7,784
983
South Scotland
When exactly was showing that higher temperature, if it was as soon as you switched the ignition on, then yes, I'd think that a new sensor must be the first step, or at least check that it is plugged in fully and the contacts are not dirty - I've forgotten which type of sensor that VW Group use, but I'd think they would always increase in resistance with rising temperatures - something that I've never checked as I assumed these cheaper applications used fe1000 etc sensors and not pt100 etc.
If the higher temperature was only showing after you had been using the car and had returned to it, this could be due to heat from the front of the car, ie radiator etc.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Walone
Mar 2, 2019
4
3
When exactly was showing that higher temperature, if it was as soon as you switched the ignition on, then yes, I'd think that a new sensor must be the first step, or at least check that it is plugged in fully and the contacts are not dirty - I've forgotten which type of sensor that VW Group use, but I'd think they would always increase in resistance with rising temperatures - something that I've never checked as I assumed these cheaper applications used fe1000 etc sensors and not pt100 etc.
If the higher temperature was only showing after you had been using the car and had returned to it, this could be due to heat from the front of the car, ie radiator etc.
Thanks for your reply. The temperature is wrong right from the start, even when the car has been parked on the drive for a couple of days. Is the sensor reasonably easy to find and replace?
 

martin j.

Active Member
Feb 11, 2007
1,996
889
Fife
I thought it daft some manufacturers fitting temps sensors in the door mirror casing, not so daft now it seems.
 

RUM4MO

Active Member
Jun 4, 2008
7,784
983
South Scotland
So, if that is where that sensor is, can you not remove the top cover/filler panel from above that point, I don't have a Leon, but my old 2011 S4 has a removable top cover that lets you get down into that area, maybe something almost similar on my wife's 2015 Polo - I think.
 
Mar 2, 2019
4
3
I followed what the guy in the video above does (thanks) but managed to squeeze the whole sensor and socket through the grille, which made it easier to unplug. When I unplugged the sensor a fair bit of water came out of it. I tried drying it all out but this didn’t fix the problem, so I replaced the sensor with one off eBay. Touch wood it seems fixed now, so it looks like the sensor doesn’t much like water. If it happens again I’ll try making it more watertight with some duct tape.
 

RUM4MO

Active Member
Jun 4, 2008
7,784
983
South Scotland
Ebay, maybe tut tut, as mostly at least genuine VW Group parts get auctioned off due to age or time kept in stock - or, because they have been improved and so superseded. Getting auctioned off due to packaging changes does not bother me and I'll admit buying same item, like NGK sparkplugs very cheaply when VW Group last changed their packaging, but for most other things, if VW Group have had a reason to revise a part, which mainly but not only, due to failures, I'd rather go for the latest better version, though in this case maybe not a big issue though improving weatherproofing of this item might have forced a version and so part number change.
Just my current thoughts - not much more!!
 

280jl

Active Member
Nov 20, 2015
162
59
Bromley
If I'm being honest, I really wouldn't worry about it...

Every time I've got in to my car, the ambient temperature shows warmer than it is, as its parked next to my house, when I start driving off, it drops and gets colder, does yours do that ?

The only time I've seen faulty ambient air temperatures is when they show like -40c when its warm out on volvos.... if its a few degrees out, not to much to worry about mate
 

RUM4MO

Active Member
Jun 4, 2008
7,784
983
South Scotland
If I'm being honest, I really wouldn't worry about it...

Every time I've got in to my car, the ambient temperature shows warmer than it is, as its parked next to my house, when I start driving off, it drops and gets colder, does yours do that ?

The only time I've seen faulty ambient air temperatures is when they show like -40c when its warm out on volvos.... if its a few degrees out, not to much to worry about mate

Except in this case, and many others, the car has a faulty sensor, so I'd do the same thing, ie sort it out, you might be lucky and never live or drive around when temperatures are approaching ice conditions, but I can assure you, I for one like to know the temperature when driving around in winter time, it can help you quite a bit.
 

SuperV8

Active Member
May 30, 2019
1,320
580
I followed what the guy in the video above does (thanks) but managed to squeeze the whole sensor and socket through the grille, which made it easier to unplug. When I unplugged the sensor a fair bit of water came out of it. I tried drying it all out but this didn’t fix the problem, so I replaced the sensor with one off eBay. Touch wood it seems fixed now, so it looks like the sensor doesn’t much like water. If it happens again I’ll try making it more watertight with some duct tape.
These connectors are water tight with rubber seals for both the wire entry and connector - so water shouldn't get in there unless compromised?
 
Progressive Parts, performance parts and tuning specialists