trip computer outside temp says -3deg!!!

[bluenose]

Checking through the trip computer readings (as you do when sat in traffic) and the outside temp reading was showing as -3deg, this being on a gloriously sunny day.
Obviously something is slightly amiss, so I have a couple of questions.
1. Where is the sensor located for taking this reading (so I can check for a dodgy connection).
2. My main concern being, is this temp reading used by the engine management computer?
Thanks in advance for any info.
I may well be back in touch with some more advice, as my beast is now showing signs of wear and tear due to it's age (rumbling rear wheel bearing, spongy brakes, possible need for new disks/pads, clunking/rattling exhaust, numerous rattles and squeaks, leaking water into footwell, etc, etc, etc - but it's staying and I'm not giving up without a fight!!!!).

 

[Johnsey]

I think the sensor is in the near side wing mirror but i'm sure someone else can confirm that.

 

[sssstew]

yep it is in the mk3's, assuming the same for the mk2's. A common failure as well.

 

[bizaman]

Was once told that they were in the wheel arch in the mkIII golfs but i could have been lied to i know thats not the MK2 ibiza but they were based loosely round iirc!!

 

[Fl@pper]

mk3 - in bottom of ns mirror

mk2 - lower front bumper ns by the horn on my 16v & tdi iirc (aircon type that is)

 

[bluenose]

mk2 - lower front bumper ns by the horn on my 16v & tdi iirc (aircon type that is)

This may or may not have something to do with my horn not working either (something else I forgot to add to my list!!!!).
Also, does the engine management use this temperature info?
Thanks.

 

[markarse]

Sorry for dredging this up again, but I am experiencing a similar problem.

This morning according to my car it was -10. It was a little parky, granted, but the fact there was water rather than ice on the car lead me to suspect a slight anomaly.

Does anyone know if the temp sensor feeds back into the engine management system for fueling parameters etc?

Is this a problem that is likely to cure itself, or is there anything I can do to sort it?

It's useful to know the outside temp this time of year, just to get an indication of the likelihood of ice on my way to work

Thanks guys,

Regards,

Mark

 

[hopkinsgm]

Outside temp sensor signal is not used by ECU AFAIK - I seem to recall there is a temp sensor elsewhere that deals with that, as air temp determines how dense the air taken in is. The external air temp sensor is mounted low down behind the bumper, but in front of the radiator on a mk2 - though a 16v with a/c may require a slightly different location due to the additional radiator. If you've done a reasonably long journey, parked up and then come back to the car a little later, it'll give a "false" reading due to proximity to teh radiator. When on the move, it should also give "false" readings due to wind chill. I use the quotes because the reading it is giving is actually a true reading, but it's not necessarily measuring what you thought it was measuring. The joys of instrumentation design...

Those that said "wing mirror" are correct for mk3, but this being the mk2 Ibiza forum...

 

[bluenose]

Thanks for the info.
I'm now occasionally down to -17deg C.
It has been a bit chilly recently but not quite that cold!!!!!
When it gets a bit warmer, maybe up to -7 or -6 deg C, I might crawl under the car to have a look for the sensor

 

[markarse]

Blimey. Mine seems to have cured itself - was +3 on the way home yesterday and +1 on the way into work today.

I can only assume that it must be down to wind-chill, as pointed out by the oracle of infinite wisdom, hopkinsgm above...

 

[hopkinsgm]

...oracle of infinite wisdom...

Is that a polite way of saying "nerd"?

 

[markarse]

um...

I'll get me coat...

 

[hopkinsgm]

Don't worry about it mate - they say the first step to dealing with a problem is accepting it. I KNOW i'm a nerd...

 

[markarse]

They say that about me too...

And then come and ask me to fix stuff that they don't understand!