Engine temperature is really stable, never really looked into that other than a pesky coolant loss. I think my scanner can monitor it real time...

when we looked at the O2 sensor the readings just jumped every now and then, which seemed to imply the sensor was bad. But the sensor was replaced and the fault code remained. Then the sensors were swapped and the code remains, so I was thinking bad connection. But your suggestion makes sense, I'll look into that!

How are you monitoring ECT that you say it's very stable?

The dial on the dash is not a gauge it's a three position indicator.

1) temp below 65C aim to the left
2) temp from 65C to 120C aim story up
3) temp > 120C, aim right.

(The exact values may be differen but that's the basics)

I drove for months in open loop because of the insanity of that non dial.

You can use they hidden obc menu to observe engine temp real-time

Umm, it's not a gauge? seems like it haha!

it's always in the vertical position without flutcuating, even in hot weather and slow traffic.

I'll put the scanner in the car and will have a look at the water temperatures during a ride to see if there's anything strange happening that would kick off the P0115.

Yesterday I guess I hit some diesel on a roundabout... nice controlled 4-wheel drift to the outside (to stay on topic :P )

^ What andrew means is that from the factory that gauge is a true "idiot" gauge. It does not show you actual temperature, but at any point a range of temperatures. I don't know the actual temps, andrew does I'm sure, but unless you code the gauge to show proper temps, I wouldn't rely on it as a true indicator of engine coolant temp.

Makes me really happy I installed an Android head unit with the iBus as it shows ECT on the home screen.

Same, worth every penny.

The worst part about it not being a thermometer is that it looks like one.

The temp can vary something like 30-40C and stay in one position.

Vertical just means "within that range". Like I said it's really a three position indicator.

1) warning up
2) warmed up
3) way way waaaaay too hot

You'll understand better when you watch real-time temps and notice the needle doesn't track with changes.

great info, I figured a temp gauge might not be too accurate but at least shows a general direction. seems that is not the case. I find it interesting that a german car maker employs such crappy gauges :)

This is how literally every gauge installed in every mass-produced car has behaved going back 40+ years. Now they just have dummy lights that turn red when the car overheats and blue until it's warmed up. Because that does exactly the same thing that the gauges do.

They did it that way to avoid too many calls from customers. Note that current BMWs don't bother with the non gauge and just have warning if it overheats.

The big annoyance is that it will point straight up at too low of temp to run closed loop. You'll find out the next fall when ambient temps get low enough that you can't get cabin heat due to failed open thermostat.

I don't have the software or I'd reprogram mine to be more useful.

Use the hidden menu to track actual coolant temp. I have a strong feeling it won't read accurately

I got a little OCD in the midst of my OCD...

Ya see, I spent the morning cruising an X5 in the pull a part yard. No, I did NOT take any pics of the donor, but I *did* find a silhouette of my lil wifey's past lovah... (It took a minute to get her on the dark side, but she's here to stay. )

https://xoutpost.com/attachments/tes..._163109745.jpg

The worst part ab this whole thing? Is what I wanted.. I wanted those little plastic nuts that hold the plastic shit that buttons the floor nice and flush into the damn whole car! :banghead: I mean.. you guys know what I mean?.. RIGHT?!ouch: And so it was after unsuccessful attempts to unlatch the damn thing in the junkyard, I fished those little plastic bastards out of ab 2" of water. Further, were it not for the bravery of my extended magnet, a 10mm 1/4" driver might've given it up for the cause.:usa: I'd already fished glass out of my fingers for the front door glass. The finicky nature of a finger cut was annoying enough. While standing atop the base of what I assume was a GM product, I fished three of those little bastards out of the donor. This is what I needed to button up the vibes on mine. Simple enough, right? But who among us can just keep it simple? It was after all, a birthday of sorts..

https://xoutpost.com/attachments/tes..._175819229.jpg

So, after changing in the parking lot the $5 part from the donor into which the left rear floor snaps and STILL not finding satisfaction, I was off with the OCD-bug buzzin. Once home, I found myself determined to install replacement rear deck lenses I'd bought a few years ago. :yikes: (It's been a weird time, lets just say that. ) :( You know how they crack and stuff? in a way that only we can see? Well.. mine are sparkly new. (These are the old ones) Free to the reader for shipping:

https://xoutpost.com/attachments/tes..._191140828.jpg

Well, the sound deadening material I had to move out of the way made me wonder if I couldn't go one (OCD) step further... I was quickly disassembling the plastic cover and test fitting the stuff I've had for years with this project in various stages. Everything came together so well and the hatch closed with such.. affirmation that I forgot to take a pic until the final application.

https://xoutpost.com/attachments/tes..._195656147.jpg

So for those of us with one of 'those' X5's that sounds like no BMW anyone has ever heard, you know, we can hear that in the cabin, right? O I was thinking.. I wonder if adding this will allow me to hear some of that audio that I installed a couple years ago.. :boogie: And dewd.. That JBL stealth with a measly 500w amp and narry a rattle to be found will *hit*! The *armrest* vibrates! And yet.. you can have a conversation (albeit not a quiet one) among the front and rear passengers. It's just crazy. It sounds SO good.

And so, after taking the time to button up a loose spare tire and finally get the rear floor flush with the body, I am finally ready to hand over the keys to my wife. Until the *next* road trip that is... Mooohahahha