I need the external temperature sensor (I don't really know what its called). It's the sensor in the front passenger wheel well that reads the temperature outside. Right now its reading -40 degrees and I think/hope this is whats making my car run a little warm. Ive been afraid to drive it lately with the heat, so I need the part asap.
If Im not mistaken, someone on here was parting out their e39. . . if you still have parts, please pm me.

Thank you

PM razahyde, he might have it.

I need the external temperature sensor (I don't really know what its called). It's the sensor in the front passenger wheel well that reads the temperature outside. Right now its reading -40 degrees and I think/hope this is whats making my car run a little warm. Ive been afraid to drive it lately with the heat, so I need the part asap.
If Im not mistaken, someone on here was parting out their e39. . . if you still have parts, please pm me.

Thank you
ambient temp. sensor will not make your car run warm.

grab one from BMW, they usually have it in stock. the temperature sensor wont effect anything other then your HVAC unit. the auto feature wont work because it thinks it cold outside already. other then that you are fine. pick one up from bmw and you are golden.

One time when I broke/lost my ext temp sensor and the car would only blow hot air, so if anything it would make the car run cooler(although the water temp gauge is dummied enough to not show a difference).

E39's are finicky, this causes teh computer to play with the coolant. If it's -40 outside, the computer controlled t'stat stays shut longer making the engine run a little warmer. They are about $50-60 from the dealer. Regardless of what they said above, this does tell your computer to run the car warm. Have you unlocked your OBC and gone to Test NR-07? This will tell you the exact temperature of your coolant in Celsius. 108-111C is normal. Start your car, get it to normal operating temp.

- Hold right inst cluster button (near temp gauge) for 10 seconds til it says test
- Scroll to any test above 4 using the right stalk, then press the left stalk and it will say Lock ON, press the left button and then it will say Lock 00. Add the last 5 of your VIN number (92978 = 35). Hit the left stalk until you get to your number, then press the right stalk and scroll back to Test NR 07.

The important tests:

Each test has a few functions, press the left stalk to access the other ones

Test NR 04 = Current Fuel mileage
Test NR 06 = fuel tank levels for both tanks
Test NR 07 = Ambient Temperature outside and Coolant Temp
Test NR 09 = Battery voltage (should be 13.6-13.8 after stabilization)

PM me for my # if you want some help doing this and i'll walk you through it.

^ what he said +1^234324265767864

meh, brandon i had the same operating temp with/without the sensor. i remember talking to you about this the first week i had my car.

just buy the sensor from BMW and call it a day. might want 2 because these sensors are common as oil changes. no joke, you will lose the new one easily if its putback in same spot.

E39's are finicky, this causes teh computer to play with the coolant. If it's -40 outside, the computer controlled t'stat stays shut longer making the engine run a little warmer.They are about $50-60 from the dealer. Regardless of what they said above, this does tell your computer to run the car warm.

^thats what I hoped. Thanks for the info everybody.

meh, brandon i had the same operating temp with/without the sensor. i remember talking to you about this the first week i had my car.

just buy the sensor from BMW and call it a day. might want 2 because these sensors are common as oil changes. no joke, you will lose the new one easily if its putback in same spot.

we have/had 98's. 2003 530i is not a 98 540i, they are not the same. The later 6cyls read ambient temperature and adjusted fuel for this.

we have/had 98's. 2003 530i is not a 98 540i, they are not the same. The later 6cyls read ambient temperature and adjusted fuel for this.

i like how you said Had, asshole. but yah i forgot to take the year of his car into consideration.

i like how you said Had, asshole. but yah i forgot to take the year of his car into consideration.

it's what i do :D