Hey everyone,

I have a 1996 960 Sedan with slightly over 90k miles. Tonight whenI got in the car the air temperature gauge was reading the correct temp of 23 F and the orange indicator light was on. About 10 minutes later whenI looked down at it again, the orange light was off and it was reading 5 F. The gauge then dropped a degree a second until it reached -32 F. Then it jumped to -118 F and the orange indicator light came back on.I was at my destination for about an hour and when I got back in the car to come home it was still reading -188 F. Any ideas on what the problem could be? This is the first time it's displayed the wrong temperature. Thanks for your help.

 

Sounds like the sensor might have gone bad.
Did it fall out of the holder?

 

Ithought Iread in the owners manual that it takes the temp from under the car. SoI did quickly look under the car before I got in it to drive home but I didn't see anything hanging down anywhere. Where exactly is it located?

 

You will have to look it should be in one of the holes in the bottom of the bumper.
It will either attach in the side of the plastic guide or will mount into a metal bracket.

 

I got under the bumper yesterday and saw that the sensor wasn't really mounted to anything, it was just stuffed next to tow hook by the drivers side fog light. The reason it stopped working is one of the two wires had snapped right where it connects to the sensor. I fixed the wire, mounted it securely so the wires wouldn't break again, and now it works fine. Thanks for your help.

 

Glad you got it fixed.

 

Tech would it be the same in a 94' and is the orange light basically the same as the snow flake in the newer models? The teperature in mine has never worked, but the light is always on.

 

I believe it is the same.
Not sure about the light though.

 

The orange light on my '96 960 is in the center of a snowflake, and it comes on when the temperature drops below 36F.

 

I got under and looked for the sensor, like 8T9GTA I found that one of the wires was not attached the green one to be exact how do I get at it? Do I have to take the bottom plastic engine protector off or is it possible to take the lower grill off to do it?

 

The front lower plastic that screws to the bottom of the radiator should give you enough room if you remove it.

 

do you guys have this problem... when the caridles for few mins the temp goes up, example outside was 28 deg but after few mins idling it went up to 60's. is my temp sensor in bad location? the sensor appears to work fine as i compared the reading with my other car and they seem to be within one degree.

 

I will notice the air temperature going a up a few degrees when idling but my owners manual stated that this is normal due to the location of the sensor. The only time I get a big difference like you is when theengine has warmed upfrom driving and then I park it and go into a store or something. When I turn it back on the temperature will read much higher becasue the heat from the engine has warmed the air below the car and around the sensor. OnceI start driving and the air circulates around it then goes back to the correct outside air temperature.

 

I know it has been a while but I find myself with the time to fix the green wire which is broken right where it enters the sensor. How exactly did you mend the broken wire?

 

8T9GTA,
I have relocated the sensor from it's "stock" location toin front of the radiator. It appears that this reduced slightlythe hot air from engine compartment issue.

 

It's a bit tough to describe what I did to fix my broken wire but I'll try my best. Sorry if it is unclear or confusing. First I removed the air temperature sensor from housing which is what the two wires run into. I then cut the only wire that was still attached to the housing. My wire snapped right at the housing so there was no way I could solder it back on. I opened the housing and noticed there were two cylindrical female connectors inside which are what the actual temperaturesensor connects to. I removed the two connectors and replaced them with the female ends of bullet connectors. This is a link I found to apicture of one http://www.camec.com.au/images/3013-252.jpg I then closed the housing back up and went to the car. Ireattached the housing to the wires by sliding one wire into the back of each new bullet connector and crimping them. I then plugged the sensor back into the housing. It's been working perfectly ever since. I hope this helps. If you have any more questions or if something is still really unclear just let me know.

 

Alright I was able to get the black sensor from the grey wire housing, and I see what you are talking about. My question is, did you replicate exactly how the Germans put it together? Or did you simply put the replacementrubber piece back in thenslid the wire through the topon to the bullet connectorwith out the metal clamp that was origionally in there and tighten it?

 

I did my best to replicate the way it was originally put together.

 

8T9GTA Thank you for your insight regarding tothe repair of the air temperature gauge. It was actually easy after opening the plastic housing and it is now 68 degrees here and I guess the road might not freez afterall.

 

Glad I was able to help.