I still have not heard how to replace a defective readout on the dash, as in my 89 420. Any help with this would be welcome.

Hunter,
Failure of the display unit is quite rare. How did you determine that was the problem and not the sensor?

thanks barrie check cable had a crack near
the sensor. soldered and now temp lcd is
working fine.

senen

87 300SDL

My Outside Temp Indicator went on the fritz about 4 weeks ago. I saw this thread on the Site and finally went to get the Thermistor that Barrie spec'd out (Radio Shack doesn't carry them. BTW). On the way back home, the gauge started to work, and cycled from -36F to +136F twice, and then quit showing anything again. Inspection of the existing sensor shows no visible problems. However, the bracket looks like the took a rock hit. Maybe the shock killed the sensor.

Barrie, if you're out there, any thoughts? Also, is there a retail source for the thermistor?

Tom Kanis
Cincinnati, OH
87 300SDL

Barrie, correct me if I am wrong. Isn't there a plug for the sensor cable either under or in the bottom of the fuse box. I think I have seen this on my 300's. Was I seeing things or is that plug there.

------------------
Jeff L
1987 300e
1989 300e
1987 BMW 325

[This message has been edited by jeffsr (edited 06-09-2000).]

Try www.newark.com - Newark Electronics.

Their catalog should be free, and is amazing if you want to find any kind of electronic part. I don't have mine handy but I think they should carry a decent selection of thermistors.

Tom,
Yeah, I'm still here -- but it sounds like your sensor has gone south. To be sure, you can test the system and isolate the fault by clipping a resistor across the cable leads (in place of the sensor) as per my procedure above.
In terms of sourcing a replacement sensor, you'll need a large electronics supply house. I suggest using your yellow pages and phoning around -- you may find a source with a cash counter and no minimum. Otherwise, you'll have to order from somewhere like Digi-Key (digikey.com). The problem with mail order is that you'll pay several times the cost of the part for handling and shipping.
If there's sufficient interest among all the folks with dead sensors, I'd be glad to order a quantity and supply as needed. Or maybe PartsShop would do the same?
Good luck, and let me know if you any questions along the way.
Barrie

Jeff,
On the way to the instrument cluster the cable goes via the fuse box, but I don't know that there's a connector there. I assume what's behind your question is whether there's another location to test the system. You may be right!
One may be able to clip the test resistor at the fuse terminal, if there is an open connection. Otherwise, the only other location is at the rear of the instrument cluster. In either case you'd also want to check the sensor end, as well(in case the problem is like the one senen describes above). Being basically lazy, I've always checked at the sensor end. One test vs two!
Regards, Barrie

[This message has been edited by barrie (edited 06-10-2000).]