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Car Forum / Mercedes-Benz Cars / May 2005Outside Temp. Gauge (aussentemperaturanzeiger)
vehicle type: '86 W124 300E In the interests of completeness, I have obtained a used-but-working outside temperature gauge c/w sensor to be fitted to the car. Below the other instruments there is an inscrutable-looking blank rectangular panel where the actual display should be. I know how to remove the instrument panel, but can anyone give me any other relevant electrical information and/or email me a scanned image of the appropriate wiring diagram for the abovementioned car, please? For much of Australia ice is not a problem, but it helps to know how hot it is before you reach your destination and have step out of the car. I can't help you with installation, but I can tell you that I have found the outside temperature device, which came as standard on my 1986 300E is wildly inaccurate. It consistently displays temperatures far higher than actual. When known temperature is, say, 80 degrees F, the display will register 95 degrees F while driving, and 125 degrees F sitting in traffic. Readings are likewise way off (too high) in cold weather, making the system essentially useless. From what I hear, the situation is typical with this, Mercedes' first attempt at an outside temperature sensor. If I knew where the outside sender was, I would probably move it to a location where it was less affected by radiant heat from the engine and road surface. Carl Schenke TEL 770.992.2407 CEL 678.427.0241 EMAIL carlschenke@bellsouth.net  SignatureCarl Schenke TEL 770.992.2407 CEL 678.427.0241 EMAIL carlschenke@bellsouth.net > vehicle type: '86 W124 300E > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > it > is before you reach your destination and have step out of the car. Look on your front bumber, behind the front plate mount. As for accuracy, I think they are very accurate. Even though the weather service says it is 80 degrees, you must remember that the temperature is taken 10 ft off the ground in the SHADE. Mine has been acurate for the temperature I am going to feel when I get out of the car. > Look on your front bumber, behind the front plate mount. As for > accuracy, I think they are very accurate. Even though the weather > service says it is 80 degrees, you must remember that the temperature > is taken 10 ft off the ground in the SHADE. Mine has been acurate for > the temperature I am going to feel when I get out of the car. I agree. The radiated heat from the pavement and the license plate can and will increase the temperature displayed inside the car. Once you get going and at normal driving speeds, the sensor pretty much tells you what the outside temperature relly is. Thankyou all for the feedback. Yes, the one on our 20-year-old Volvo gives me the temperature of the black plastic bumper the sensor is under, whereas the one on our late-model Subaru Forester GT is much more accurate with readings in either heat or cold. Hmmm... make a little housing for the sensor out of the same sort of heat-reflecting material that's behind and above the exhaust manifold. One of those projects for when one is really stuck for something to do. Carl, and others: were these temp. gauges standard fittings, or were they ordered options? Perhaps all ours needs is the sensor... I shall remove the instrument panel and have a look at what is there, as the inscrutable-looking blank rectangular panel I mentioned has the appearance of an inactive LCD display. Meanwhile, if someone has an appropriate wiring diagram I can see what I should be connecting the sensor to, and what else I should check. I am OK with auto-electrics, just as long as I am fully informed, so that I may avoid an unhappy outcome and tendrils of smoke from beneath the dashboard The original question referred to a 1986 car. On one of my Mercs some time ago (can't remember if my present 1993 190E or previous 1986 230E) I did a comparison with the car gauge and an outside thermometer I have installed in my flat (at first-floor level). They agreed within a degree C or less. DAS For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling --- > Thankyou all for the feedback. Yes, the one on our 20-year-old Volvo gives > me the temperature of the black plastic bumper the sensor is under, [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > with auto-electrics, just as long as I am fully informed, so that I may > avoid an unhappy outcome and tendrils of smoke from beneath the dashboard It is mis-named as an 'outside temp gauge'! It is actually a 'road temp gauge'. It is mounted down by the front license plate to read road temp. To warn you about black ice etc. If you look in your owners manual and read about it, the manual specifically says something like 'do not use compare the temps shown on banks etc and compare them to these temps'. Now if you want a real outside temp gauge, look at the older Cadillacs. They were mounted in the stalk of the outside mirror. > The original question referred to a 1986 car. > [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > > with auto-electrics, just as long as I am fully informed, so that I may > > avoid an unhappy outcome and tendrils of smoke from beneath the dashboard If not protected from wind it would not measure anything useful. DAS SignatureFor direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling --- [...] > Now if you want a real outside temp gauge, look at the older Cadillacs. > They were mounted in the > stalk of the outside mirror. [...] The early 300E models had the sensor for the outside temperature gauge mounted behind the front bumper on the left side where it angles back toward the left front wheel well. My 1987 300E has it there, not in the middle of the front bumper behind the front license plate as on the later 300E models. Pete Cowper 1987 300E |
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