I give up...where is the outside air temp sensor?

[teamgs]

Greets,
Our '03 3.0 X5 has the "-40" reading in the display. Obviously this is due to either a disconnected air temperature sensor or a damaged one. I would like to just check the connections and wiring, before ordering a new one, but I can't seem to find it. I have read that it might be in the bumper or the drivers wheel well, but cannot find any confirmation online.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, to save me from removing tons of panels not required in my search.

Regards,

Gary

[amacman]

look in the front wheel well , i think it`s the left side but not sure , you will see a square opening , this is the brake cooling duct with temp sensor inside . you may see it and certainly feel it if you put hand in gently . you may confirm this by looking at the online parts catalogue on the home page .

[teamgs]

Thanks! I saw the opening yesterday, and was just about to start looking inside today when my wife gets back with the car.

Regards,

Gary

[AZX54.4]

I had a similar problem with my outside temp gauge reading very low. I took it to the dealership and they suspected it was the outside air temp sensor. I knew the battery needed to be replaced and after I replaced the battery everything behaved normal again. What is the condition of your battery? Just an idea!

[teamgs]

Thanks for the info. The battery is around 1.5 years old, AFAIK. I will check it though.

Regards,

Gary

[tomcat]

I haven't located it on mine, but would concur that it is probably in the driver's side brake duct. That is where it was on my e36, and I got the -40 degrees when I disconnected it. Looking on realoem they don't really show the two co-located:
Brake Duct- Part #6
Temp probe- Part #1
I think this link shows the hole the probe sticks in.
Sorry I'm not home to look at the X.

Scott

[bgsquad]

front wheel well? it would be really strange!! can you please confirm? i am saying this because did anyone try to park the X5 after a long drive and then touch the side of the hood just over the wheel well? it's the hottest spot!! btw, i wanted to ask you guys about it... it happened by accident, i placed my hand over the side of the hood (the closing line between the hood and the front side piece of body)... 3 seconds and you scream!!

It would cause erroneous reading to place it close to that area... i think it should be in the roof...

and yes, it always reads 1-2 degrees celcius more than the real temperature... i bench marketed it against different cars and other gauges...

[tomcat]

Not the wheel well. If you look at my avatar next to my name. Go down and to the left of that front left fog light. There is a hole with the plastic mesh in it where fresh ambient air goes through.

Scott

[bgsquad]

Oh ok! it makes perfect sense, because i have a feeling that once the car is stopped in heavy traffic for example, the engine temperature affects the reading a little... so this explains it: the engine heat does reach it a little bit when idle, yet when the car is moving it only feels the incoming ambient air

[mrbmwx5]

The ambient sensor located at lower grill on driver side.