Notices
RX-8 Discussion General discussion about the RX-8 that doesn't fit in one of the specialty forums.

Ambiant temp not right ???

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 11-18-2003, 08:25 PM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
ultrafit1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Spokane WA
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Ambiant temp not right ???

I have had my RX8 for three weeks. I've never owned such a car fuun fuun and Zoom Zoom. But there seems to be a problem with the ambiant temp. It will read 50 when I know it's in the 30s..


Anybody else having this problem???
Old 11-18-2003, 08:30 PM
  #2  
Registered User
 
labrat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Brisbane Australia
Posts: 778
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Well, you guys do insist on sticking with F. Our temperature indication seems spot on, at least within a degree of the current temperatures broadcast on the radio. Check it after driving for about 5-10 minutes, when the sensor has had a chance to equilibrate. If it is 20F out as you say, then get it fixed at next service.
Old 11-18-2003, 09:17 PM
  #3  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
ultrafit1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Spokane WA
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Why would you need to drive 10 to 15 min. When I look at the thermo hanging outside it does not take 15 min to get to temp. And why would driving make the temp change
Old 11-18-2003, 09:19 PM
  #4  
Contents Extremely Hot
 
allstate's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Ft Worth, TX
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My temp seems to be dead on. For instance, before I leave the house in the morning I always check the weather/temp online. I leave my garage and the temp reads 70 something. As soon as I pull out the temp starts falling until it reaches the correct temperature.
Old 11-18-2003, 09:56 PM
  #5  
Prodigal Wankler
 
eccles's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally posted by ultrafit1
Why would you need to drive 10 to 15 min. When I look at the thermo hanging outside it does not take 15 min to get to temp. And why would driving make the temp change
The sensor is inside the "mouth" of the RX-8, behind the grill but in front of the radiator. It appears that its location makes it both a little slow to respond to ambient temperature changes and somewhat subject to radiant heat from the radiator when standing still. It doesn't take 10 minutes, but it will certainly give a better indication once you get the outside air flowing over it by driving for a minute or two.
Old 11-18-2003, 10:33 PM
  #6  
Registered
 
RX-GR8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ
Posts: 3,098
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
mine seems to work fine.
Old 11-19-2003, 09:56 AM
  #7  
Fb's rock!
iTrader: (1)
 
MyRxBad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto/Oshawa
Posts: 973
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you are sitting there idling then the sensor is going to be heat soaked from the rad/engine(heat source). You have to have fresh outside hitting the sensor to get an accurate reading.
Old 11-19-2003, 10:47 AM
  #8  
Registered User
 
oosik's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Mobile, AL
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
but it will certainly give a better indication once you get the outside air flowing over it by driving for a minute or two.
then it's not true ambient temp. ambient temp sensor is temp of surrounding air and shouldn't be affected by air passiing over it, if that really is the case, then it's not the right type of sensor. and if it really is located where ppl say, then it will change often being right next to the radiator like that. maybe they should have placed near the rear plate where it's less likely to be affected by other things. mine never seems to be right on, close, but never really accurate.
Old 11-19-2003, 11:05 AM
  #9  
Registered User
 
rieskame's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
its pretty accurate to me. Im actually surprised how fast the temperature reading is compared to my old PT Cruiser. It would take a full 5-10 minutes to start reading the temp.
Old 11-19-2003, 11:17 AM
  #10  
Registered
 
Omicron's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Boulder County, Colorado
Posts: 7,966
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
Mine seems fine too.

Originally posted by eccles
The sensor is inside the "mouth" of the RX-8, behind the grill but in front of the radiator. It appears that its location makes it both a little slow to respond to ambient temperature changes and somewhat subject to radiant heat from the radiator when standing still. It doesn't take 10 minutes, but it will certainly give a better indication once you get the outside air flowing over it by driving for a minute or two.
Eccles, I don't suppose you could tell me exactly where the sensor is? I can recognize a thermocouple, but if you can tell me where it is exactly, it'll save me the effort of hunting for it. I'll then look into relocating it when I pull my front bumper off to put my new grille and oil cooler covers on. I'll also take pics (and post) if it's a practical thing to do.

Thanks...
Old 11-19-2003, 11:48 AM
  #11  
Drive it like U stole it!
 
ZoomZoom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Woodbridge, Ontario
Posts: 859
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My temperature gauge also works fine, but for whatever reason I noticed that it does take about three to five minutes to display temperatures accurately.
Old 11-19-2003, 12:38 PM
  #12  
Prodigal Wankler
 
eccles's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally posted by Omicron
Eccles, I don't suppose you could tell me exactly where the sensor is? I can recognize a thermocouple, but if you can tell me where it is exactly, it'll save me the effort of hunting for it.
Not exactly, no. My previous description is as good as I can remember from when we were poking around Tim Pryor's car while it was up on the hoist getting his body kit bits fitted. It was mounted to the top of the "mouth" behind the grill, and was pretty obvious - you shouldn't have any trouble identifying it.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
JimmyBlack
Series I Major Horsepower Upgrades
273
02-10-2020 10:23 PM
yurcivicsux
Series I Major Horsepower Upgrades
192
09-12-2017 10:54 PM
fistofmeat
Series I Trouble Shooting
8
10-07-2016 12:15 PM
Vedivan1
RX-8 Discussion
5
09-20-2015 04:39 PM



You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: Ambiant temp not right ???



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:44 AM.