If your temperature isn’t displaying correctly the cause is likely a bad thermistor located in your right mirror housing.
FCA won’t sell you the sensor on its own, so you have a few options.
Buy a mirror assembly for around $100
Buy a used mirror assembly from a scrap yard, hopefully for under $50
Buy a sensor kit from the OEM in Italy - www.elkab2.com for 28euro
Replace the thermistor for around $0.25 (10k ohm)
You can test the sensor by reading resistance across the sensor, should read 10kohms @25 degrees Celsius +\- 3%
I chose to replace the thermistor.
First you’ll have to remove the mirror, by folding in the mirror removing the lower plastic cover, disconnecting the harness and removing the 2- 5mm socket head screws
Next you’ll need to remove the mirror glass and plastic back cap, recommend warming up the plastic so you don’t break any clips.
You should then see the sensor:
At this point you can decide whether or not to cut and solder the new thermistor or re-socket the connector.
I cut and soldered.
The sensor rotates counter clockwise to remove.
I dug the old thermistor out of the resin on the sensor, and re-potted the new thermistor with 5 minute epoxy
Install in reverse, there is no polarity on the sensor or the heated mirror wires, so it doesn’t matter which way it’s soldered/ plugged back in.
Ambient air temperature sensor
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Ambient air temperature sensor
13’ Abarth
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Re: Ambient air temperature sensor
Good info ,thanks for sharing.
- texanbrit
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Re: Ambient air temperature sensor
This is brilliant! Many thanks for sharing!
2013 Abarth 500c (NGen Turbo'd) - Isabella
2012 500 Pop (stockish fauxbarth) - Popabella
2014 500L (just starting) - The Hulk
1971 850 Sport Spider (what was I thinking) - No name yet
2012 500 Pop (stockish fauxbarth) - Popabella
2014 500L (just starting) - The Hulk
1971 850 Sport Spider (what was I thinking) - No name yet
- MadFiat
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Re: Ambient air temperature sensor
Wow I was just thinking about this since my 500 Turbo's sensor reads about 10 degrees low.
2015 Rosso Abarth 5MT - MAD FIAT - EC Phase 2 + Supporting Mods
2003 PT Cruiser GT 2.4 Turbo - SALVAGE PT - SOLD to Family
2015 Granito Lucente 500T 6AT - Projecto Estupido
2003 PT Cruiser GT 2.4 Turbo - SALVAGE PT - SOLD to Family
2015 Granito Lucente 500T 6AT - Projecto Estupido
Re: Ambient air temperature sensor
This is awesome, thank you for sharing!
Some important info that I learned: In the absence of input the computa assumes that its <freezing and runs very rich. If this is sensor is not reading accurately or you disconnect your passenger side mirror instead of leaving it dangling by the wires bc someone hit you and knocked it off your car, you should aim to address this as a priority for the sake of engine longevity.
Some important info that I learned: In the absence of input the computa assumes that its <freezing and runs very rich. If this is sensor is not reading accurately or you disconnect your passenger side mirror instead of leaving it dangling by the wires bc someone hit you and knocked it off your car, you should aim to address this as a priority for the sake of engine longevity.
