Help! 122 and -40 readings

[Mormon328i]

So I posted a thread recently about my temp sensor problem...
I just bought a 330i zhp and the outside temp sensor hasn't worked since I bought it a month ago.

I bought a new sensor and replaced the one that the tip was scuffed down. Obviously the previous owner ran over something and it got ripped down. Possibility of someone stealing the fog lights and ripping things out as well since both fog lights are missing.

Anyways, I put the new sensor in and no change after 100 miles of driving. I noticed there is two blue wires that I am not sure what they go to and they are on the same strand as the fog light and the outside temp sensor.

After taking some advice from a member on the forum I decided to wire the two blue wires together and see what happens.
My temp sensor immediately changed from always showing 122 to now showing -40 degrees.

What do you think the blue wires go to so that I can get this temp sensor finally working!

And yes my horn works when my car is on

Here are the pics! (the one on the far right is the mystery wires)

(I had to put the one that I took from the back side with my eyes staring at you cause that wasn't planned but turned out pretty funny)

[bmwdave37]

Are you sure both horns are connected? I'm pretty sure the two blue wires torn off by the ziptie are ambient temp sensor wires. The grey connector looks like a fog or headlight connector.

[DavidF]

The blue wires are for the outside air temperature sensor. Twisting the wires together confirmed this when a short circuit took the display to -40 degrees (by design). An open circuit is +122 degrees.

Air temp sensor wire colors: BL/BR (blue w/brown stripe) and BL/RT (blue w/red stripe)

Your pictures show that you have the horn connected to the temp sensor. Possibility you damaged the sensor by apply voltage to it when testing the horn. The unconnected wire(s) are for the fog light.

[fermunky]

Check this for wire diagrams: http://www.bmw-planet.com/diagrams/release/en/

[Mormon328i]

Interesting, well when I installed the new temp sensor (where you see it currently located in the pictures) I pulled out the old one which was definately a temp sensor that had been beat up. That's why I have the temp sensor where it is currently installed.

So are you telling me that the previous owner tried to fix the problem and wired the temp sensor plug in to the wrong wires somehow?

What do you recommend I do?

I know that my horn doesn't work when its off but does when the engine is on if that helps...

[DavidF]

I recommend you wire it correctly. You are probably just hearing the horn on the other side of the car (there are two horns). IT IS NOT WIRED CORRECTLY (sorry for yelling).

[Mormon328i]

I am thinking I Should cut the wires to the sensor and wire them to the blue ones based on the info you have provided me. If thats a yes then what should I now do with the two wires that would be now cut and open?

[DavidF]

Are you serious? Fix one problem by creating a new problem? Leave the horn and foglight wiring/sockets intact and fix the temp sensor wiring. Go to the dealer and get a repair pigtail for the temp sensor (part numbers: 61.13.8.365.340 and 61.13.0.006.665 x2)

[Mormon328i]

I hate the dealer but I will do as you say... so the connector where I currently have the temp sensor plugged into should be plugged into my horn then is what you are saying? and the blue wires are supposed to be connected to a connector (which is missing) and have the temp sensor plugged into that?

I was just confused cause the old temp sensor was plugged into where you currently see the new one but the previous owner wasn't very smart I am beginning to realize.

[DavidF]

Originally Posted by DavidF

The blue wires are for the outside air temperature sensor. Twisting the wires together confirmed this when a short circuit took the display to -40 degrees (by design). An open circuit is +122 degrees.

Air temp sensor wire colors: BL/BR (blue w/brown stripe) and BL/RT (blue w/red stripe)

Your pictures show that you have the horn connected to the temp sensor. Possibility you damaged the sensor by apply voltage to it when testing the horn. The unconnected wire(s) are for the fog light.

I give up. Not sure how the above can be any more clear.

[Mormon328i]

okay, I've done some searching and cannot find any pics where to plug that into the horn at. I'm guessing when I jack it up it won't be to difficult to find.

So when pull that temp sensor out of that plug will that plug fit right into the horn or do I need to cut the connector off?

[bmwdave37]

If in fact the connector is for the horn (it looks like it is) it should just plug in. then get the repair pigtail and connector from dealer, wire it into the two blue wires, plug in temp sensor, and you should be good to go.

[DavidF]

Ok, since you (Moron328i) are going to ask anyway (and I am subscribed to this thread), the blue/red wire goes to pin 2 of the air temperature sensor. Now, just so there is no ambiguity, the other wire (blue/brown) goes to pin 1.

[nathancarter]

That was a little harsh. Not everyone sprang from Zeus's head fully formed, with a torque wrench in their hand.

[bmwdave37]