Thank you for this superb video. It was beautifully recorded and presented by a very gifted communicator. What you did showed a great generosity of spirit to help others. I do not have the skills to do this, but I have learned a lot! I live in Australia, sadly too far away to meet you and buy you a drink!
hey there.. i have an e39 2001 5 series... mine always reads -40 and it blinks and rings a bell when im splashing around in the rain.. im almost positive its either the sensor or bad wiring underneath the car.. anyway thanks for the info
Hey its me again. I just watched this video for the second time whilst swinging in a hammock hoping that the british weather doesn't rain again. Anyway I realised something. You have made absolutely zero reference to the possibility of a nackered temp sensor. Surely switching the meter across to OHMs and then testing the temp sensor way above a candle would show if the thing works. I reckon this is the first thing to do as there might be a break in the unit itself, and they cost £5 or about 8$ on ebay. Thats got be the most logical approach to this. Start with the easy.
Hello James, I hope the weather held out :) The sensor very rarely goes bad but you could do the test you suggest. Most often the sensor is torn out and only the wiring is left but for an issue where the temp sensor is not reading the correct temp by a certain amount the sensor may be the cause.
Hello McGrot, :) I will put something together for you on the horns replacement. I will try for today but if not then it may be next weekend. If you are a subscriber you should get an auto message that I have a new video posted.
My car keeps shifting between 50C and -40C non-stop. It is annoying as the aircon won't work then showing -40C even though I'm in the middle of summer. I haven't followed your instructions but assuming that it could be a short circuit?
What color is the wires when you are reattaching the new ambient air sensor because I have six different wires that are cut and no idea which wires are for the ambient sensor
This may be a dumb girl question but I'm going to ask anyhow. I found the sensor and it was just flopping around so I secured it but I'm still -40. How do I check to see if my sensor actually works? The wiring looks really good but I'm not sure how to follow it as far as I need to.
Definitely not a dumb question. This may be a bad sensor if the wiring all looks good but in most cases the wiring is damaged further up. The only way to check 100% will be to remove the instrument cluster and ohm out the wiring between the connector at the cluster and the pins at the connector for the outside temp sensor. You can also tug on the wiring and follow the length of wire as far as you can to try to find any breaks or corrosion.
AskTheCarExperts Thank you so much for responding. I will go try this. Also, I'm loving your videos and not feeling at all overwhelmed by this vehicle thanks to a couple of you youtubers.
I have a 2007 BMW 750 LI and I’m having the same problem with mine it’s showing in the lower numbers like -2 -40 and it causes the engine check light to be on. I’ve rewired the entire thing from the front to the cluster I’ve change the sensor the ambient sensor and still having the same problem.
That is unusual. If you are confident that the wiring is good and the sensor then the instrument cluster could be the cause. I have seen about 3 instrument clusters have an internal problem in a specific temp range it would drop the signal and go to an erratic reading. You should only consider replacement once the wires and sensor are 100% proven as good. The instrument cluster is a "married" component so you would need a new part and special programming from the dealer to complete full replacement. Sorry to hear you have this problem. I hope this information is helpful.
I forgot to mention that I actually replaced the cluster for testing and still have the same problem it’s just reading random numbers like -6 -4 -19.........
I would remove the two pins from the connector at the back of the instrument cluster, install new pins and do a short pigtail with just the temp sensor. Basically a new full test harness with a new sensor on the end. If the cluster was replaced it must be in the wiring, crimp connection, or the sensor.
Hello Rayon, This is still most likely a wiring issue maybe further back in the wiring. You could replace a larger section but also make sure you have a good sensor. One additional thing is to start the vehicle and then shut it off and let it go to sleep locked for 1 hour. Then restart. The instrument cluster will not take a new reading unless this is done. It may read correctly after the vehicle shuts down fully. I hope this helps. Thanks for posting a comment.
Update- So two days ago I went to the front of the car where the sensor is and I switch the wires around because I wasn’t sure if I connected negative to positive and right after doing that the temperature started showing correctly. It’s 2 days now and my temp is good and engine check light off. I was able to get my car inspected yesterday.
Thank you for this superb video. It was beautifully recorded and presented by a very gifted communicator. What you did showed a great generosity of spirit to help others. I do not have the skills to do this, but I have learned a lot! I live in Australia, sadly too far away to meet you and buy you a drink!
Hello Ranjit, Thank you for commenting. I enjoy sharing knowledge on how to fix BMW's. If I ever visit Australia I will take you up on your offer :)
Thanks! I just got an e46 and the temperature always at -40 irks me a lot. I'll start to trouble shoot it tomorrow. You got my subscription.
awesome detailed video
thanks a lot for making it
im leaving to Mexico till Christmas
will definitely get back to you after holidays
hey there.. i have an e39 2001 5 series... mine always reads -40 and it blinks and rings a bell when im splashing around in the rain.. im almost positive its either the sensor or bad wiring underneath the car.. anyway thanks for the info
Great video great tutorial. I have solved my problem. Thanks from indonesia
Hello Ane Gan! I am glad you found my video helpful and thank you for posting a comment!
Hey its me again. I just watched this video for the second time whilst swinging in a hammock hoping that the british weather doesn't rain again. Anyway I realised something. You have made absolutely zero reference to the possibility of a nackered temp sensor. Surely switching the meter across to OHMs and then testing the temp sensor way above a candle would show if the thing works. I reckon this is the first thing to do as there might be a break in the unit itself, and they cost £5 or about 8$ on ebay. Thats got be the most logical approach to this. Start with the easy.
Hello James, I hope the weather held out :) The sensor very rarely goes bad but you could do the test you suggest. Most often the sensor is torn out and only the wiring is left but for an issue where the temp sensor is not reading the correct temp by a certain amount the sensor may be the cause.
Excellent!
I have a request!!!: Could you demonstrate how to change the horns on an E46, please?!?!
Hello McGrot, :) I will put something together for you on the horns replacement. I will try for today but if not then it may be next weekend. If you are a subscriber you should get an auto message that I have a new video posted.
gracias mi chavo repare mi carro gracias a ti me cobraban muy caro y viendo tu video me salio economico gracias lo hice yo mismo que buen video
thanks perfect worked for me best vid ever
My car keeps shifting between 50C and -40C non-stop. It is annoying as the aircon won't work then showing -40C even though I'm in the middle of summer. I haven't followed your instructions but assuming that it could be a short circuit?
Hello, This is usually an issue with the wiring down near the sensor. This sounds like the wire is opening and then contacting again.
What color is the wires when you are reattaching the new ambient air sensor because I have six different wires that are cut and no idea which wires are for the ambient sensor
Hello John, Can you go to my website at www.askthecarexperts.com and send my your VIN number. I can then look up the wiring diagram for your vehicle.
This may be a dumb girl question but I'm going to ask anyhow. I found the sensor and it was just flopping around so I secured it but I'm still -40. How do I check to see if my sensor actually works? The wiring looks really good but I'm not sure how to follow it as far as I need to.
Definitely not a dumb question. This may be a bad sensor if the wiring all looks good but in most cases the wiring is damaged further up. The only way to check 100% will be to remove the instrument cluster and ohm out the wiring between the connector at the cluster and the pins at the connector for the outside temp sensor. You can also tug on the wiring and follow the length of wire as far as you can to try to find any breaks or corrosion.
AskTheCarExperts Thank you so much for responding. I will go try this. Also, I'm loving your videos and not feeling at all overwhelmed by this vehicle thanks to a couple of you youtubers.
Does it matter if I don’t fix it
I have a 2007 BMW 750 LI and I’m having the same problem with mine it’s showing in the lower numbers like -2 -40 and it causes the engine check light to be on. I’ve rewired the entire thing from the front to the cluster I’ve change the sensor the ambient sensor and still having the same problem.
That is unusual. If you are confident that the wiring is good and the sensor then the instrument cluster could be the cause. I have seen about 3 instrument clusters have an internal problem in a specific temp range it would drop the signal and go to an erratic reading. You should only consider replacement once the wires and sensor are 100% proven as good. The instrument cluster is a "married" component so you would need a new part and special programming from the dealer to complete full replacement. Sorry to hear you have this problem. I hope this information is helpful.
I forgot to mention that I actually replaced the cluster for testing and still have the same problem it’s just reading random numbers like -6 -4 -19.........
These are the codes from my reader
2BC0 DME: Ambient temperature, plausibility
2BC1 DME: Ambient temperature, signal
I would remove the two pins from the connector at the back of the instrument cluster, install new pins and do a short pigtail with just the temp sensor. Basically a new full test harness with a new sensor on the end. If the cluster was replaced it must be in the wiring, crimp connection, or the sensor.
great tut, does this apply to 2005 E60 ?
Mine is at -22 and wont move the wire close to the temperature itself was scraped but I put it back still the reading at -22 . What's the best option?
Hello Rayon, This is still most likely a wiring issue maybe further back in the wiring. You could replace a larger section but also make sure you have a good sensor. One additional thing is to start the vehicle and then shut it off and let it go to sleep locked for 1 hour. Then restart. The instrument cluster will not take a new reading unless this is done. It may read correctly after the vehicle shuts down fully. I hope this helps. Thanks for posting a comment.
Update- So two days ago I went to the front of the car where the sensor is and I switch the wires around because I wasn’t sure if I connected negative to positive and right after doing that the temperature started showing correctly. It’s 2 days now and my temp is good and engine check light off. I was able to get my car inspected yesterday.
That is great news!