Car - outside temperature

[LSainsbury]

Hi all,

After some advice! (Come to the right place!!)

On my car (Vahuxhal Astra) I have a temperature display on the dashboard that shows the outside ambient temperature.

I'm sure it's becoming faulty as for the last few mornings it's been stuck on 19 degrees ....come to think of it - it's been like that all over winter!

Anybody know where I shoud start looking to fix it / replace the sensor?

Cheers

Lee

[Rob]

I'd get a little bit of black tape and put it over the offending display. Far cheaper than trying to fix a bit of electronics that does nothing for the performance of your car or your passenger comfort.

[Nugget]

I've got an Astra and, as I understand it, the sensor is under the bumper on the passenger side. Other than that, I've no idea how you'd go about checking it / getting it replaced though

TBH, from a practical point of view, I think Rob has the best idea - the only real benefit I can see with the sensor is that you know when it's potentially icy, but you should be able to tell that from how cold it feels when you leave the house

[LSainsbury]

Cheers Nugget - I'll have to have a prod around tonight!!

[bmxbandit]

i've got a corsa, same thing happened - replaced the sensor 3 or 4 times whle it was under warranty, but in he end i just put up with the fact that it thinks it's -34.5 degrees!

if your car has air conditioning, it's possible there might be an interlock that causes the compressor to power down if it gets too cold, but apart from that it won't affect anything

Network Q are reasonable for Vauxhall issues.

I had them carry out an Engine Mod, with diagnostics it came to just over £100

[andyandy]

I think that the location depends on which year Astra you have.

On uk.rec.cars.maintenance the guy says on a MK 4, its in the middle of the radiator opening, just behind where the "V" sits.

For what its worth, my Astra used to do the same, but I cured the problem by getting a Golf instead

[LSainsbury]

Not sure what MK mine is - it's hard to keep up these days! For what it's worth - it's a 52 reg (2003)

Lee

[Tuftus]

Originally Posted by Rob C

I'd get a little bit of black tape and put it over the offending display. Far cheaper than trying to fix a bit of electronics that does nothing for the performance of your car or your passenger comfort.

Great advice when it comes to winter...

I've got an Omega and my display is stuck on 49 degrees, it doesn't effect the running of the car so it'll stay as it is.

[Nugget]

Originally Posted by lsainsbury

Not sure what MK mine is - it's hard to keep up these days! For what it's worth - it's a 52 reg (2003)

Lee

What are the odds? So's mine

Originally Posted by Tuftus

Great advice when it comes to winter...

TBH Tuftus, it doesn't make a lot of difference - as I said earlier, the only real benefit to the driver is when the sensor shows that the temperature's below 3°C (telling you it might be icy), but you should be able to tell that anyway

[Graham M]

Originally Posted by Nidge

I've got an Omega and my display is stuck on 49 degrees, it doesn't effect the running of the car so it'll stay as it is.

Don't you get hot ?

[andyandy]

Originally Posted by lsainsbury

Not sure what MK mine is - it's hard to keep up these days! For what it's worth - it's a 52 reg (2003)

Lee

Think that makes it a MK 4. That may help you locate the sensor! (or not?!)

[blackthorn]

Ive got a 2003 astra on a 52 plate and the astra dashboard seems to have a mind of its own. Sometimes the petrol gauge indicator appears not to move from empty even though Ive got loads of petrol in it. My mates astra at work is exactly the same.
I`ve had the exhaust emissions indicator come on for 2 days and then go out for no reason. The dealer said that if it stayed on for me to bring it in and he`d adjust the sensor but also added that they seem to go on and off for no apparent reason and not to worry about it.

[Tuftus]

Originally Posted by Nugget

What are the odds? So's mine




TBH Tuftus, it doesn't make a lot of difference - as I said earlier, the only real benefit to the driver is when the sensor shows that the temperature's below 3°C (telling you it might be icy), but you should be able to tell that anyway

I would beg to differ on that one Nug...

I have driven off with no frost etc, heater on etc, then the temp drops and you may not be aware of this but for the temp display.

In fact, I remember getting a lift home with my boss a year or so ago and we were batting it down some country lane until I pointed out that the outside temp had dropped to minus 2.5 from positive 3 degrees in like half a mile, he slowed down a bit after that.