Out side temperature readings

pman7373 · Post by **pman7373** » 28 Jun 2010, 19:06

Hey Guys,

The reading on my car is normally hotter than the temperature out side. Sometimes its marginal and stays that way. Sometimes it's ridiculous. Last week I was in a parking lot of traffic for about 2 hours and my temperature was like 50-60 degrees hotter than outside. Is this something i should worry about or is this more just the thermostat is placed near the engine or compressor? My car temp gauge always goes to the normal place after the car has sufficiently warmed up.

Thanks!

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 28 Jun 2010, 19:31

If you keep the car in once place for a long time with the engine on, the air around the thermometer gets heated to much higher than the abient air temp. It's just b/c the thermometer is so close to the engine. While driving you have fresh air being continually blown past the thermo so it reads the true ambient air temp.

pman7373 · Post by **pman7373** » 28 Jun 2010, 19:35

Thanks! I wish it was in a different place!

Post by **jblackburn** » 28 Jun 2010, 19:42

Mine regularly shows 117 or something stupid when it's 90 degrees outside. The temperature sensors are located under the bumper behind the fog light grille - I think it's time we both need new ones

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 28 Jun 2010, 20:17

Make sure your sensor hasn't gotten dislodged from it's mount. When they do, sometimes they end up sitting on or next to the radiator, which obviously explains the silly reading. Look under the car, up near the intercooler and plastic splash guard thing. You should be able to see the sensor sticking out, or if it's not there, there will be a hole where it should plug in to.

But I wouldn't worry about it too much. Mine are set up correctly and even so, I'll still get ridiculous readings when sitting. Once you get moving though, the airflow should make the temperature more or less accurate.

adk793 · Post by **adk793** » 01 Jul 2010, 01:15

yeah, the sensor picks up the heat from around the engine, but for me, once i get on the highway n get driving for like 5 minutes, it would usually give an accurate reading but then even when i stop for a few minutes, it starts jumping up slightly. Out of all the issues i have with the car, this is one i can literally care less about

Post by **JRL** » 01 Jul 2010, 05:55

Fact:
The temp gauge reads between 2 to 4 degress hotter than the actual temp.(Gen 1s)
Fact:
When you're parked/stopped (in the summer) the gauge will go higher
Fact:
If the temp reading doesn't come back to normal after a mile or two of driving at speed, the gauge got dislodged or you need a new one