Location of Ambient Air Temperature Probe

[Entreri]

Hello,

I noticed that the sensor for the outside temperature on my 2013 RS5 is simply hanging on its cable and not tied to anything.

So this is the sensor I'm talking about:
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...be/8z0820535a/

There seems to be 2 holes on the front aluminum bar, between the radiator and the grill, one is small enough to screw the probe but I"m not sure how this thing measures temperature so here's my question:

Do I need to hide the probe behind that aluminum bar or on the contrary in front of it to expose it more to the elements? Anyone knows how to attach this thingy?

Much appreciated !

[Sgibb16]

The sensor is 18, the bracket that is supposed to hold it is 19.

[Entreri]

mmmh I don't see that bracket, that's probably the missing piece. Any idea where that bracket should be?

[Sazexa]

On my car the ambient air temperature sensor and garage door transmitter are both located behind the front grille Audi rings.

[Entreri]

do you see where the sensor is attached?
On my car the garage door transmitter cables come from the right and the sensor from the left (when standing in front of the car).

[RockJGC]

On my car the ambient air temperature sensor and garage door transmitter are both located behind the front grille Audi rings.

Isn't that the most stupid thing ever? I guess Germans never back their Audi into their garage. My garage door almost never opens up if my car is pointed away from it, like it would be if I wanted to back in. Such a stupid idea to make a low, front facing transmitter instead of putting it high up in the cabin like almost every other car.

[HazeMyth]

My ambient air temperature sensor is mounted in the factory location. It's mounted to the bottom of the crash bar, behind the grille, closer to the passenger side of the vehicle. It's pinned into an existing hole on the bottom of the crash bar using a plastic clip of sorts.

The sensor actually gives me problems occasionally due to the sleeve of the wire shrinking, which exposes the actual wires and causes the sensor to fail. In turn, that causes my vehicle to report multiple issue and a CEL. I can fix the issue by shutting off the car, pulling the wire sleeve back into it's normal location and restarting the car. That seems to work for months at a time before causing the issue again, but next time I have decent weather I'm going to take the front bumper off and give it a proper fix. Unfortunately for me it's not just a matter of replacing the sensor, because the issue is actually with the sleeve on the wire that connects to the sensor.

I've circled where mine is located. It proved to be too risky to remove when I was dipping my crash beam, so I protected the sensor and wiring with tape. The sensor problem I'm having didn't come up until years after I dipped the beam, so I don't believe there's any relation.

[Entreri]

My ambient air temperature sensor is mounted in the factory location. It's mounted to the bottom of the crash bar, behind the grille, closer to the passenger side of the vehicle. It's pinned into an existing hole on the bottom of the crash bar using a plastic clip of sorts.

The sensor actually gives me problems occasionally due to the sleeve of the wire shrinking, which exposes the actual wires and causes the sensor to fail. In turn, that causes my vehicle to report multiple issue and a CEL. I can fix the issue by shutting off the car, pulling the wire sleeve back into it's normal location and restarting the car. That seems to work for months at a time before causing the issue again, but next time I have decent weather I'm going to take the front bumper off and give it a proper fix. Unfortunately for me it's not just a matter of replacing the sensor, because the issue is actually with the sleeve on the wire that connects to the sensor.

I've circled where mine is located. It proved to be too risky to remove when I was dipping my crash beam, so I protected the sensor and wiring with tape. The sensor problem I'm having didn't come up until years after I dipped the beam, so I don't believe there's any relation.
...

Awesome, exactly what I needed ! So it looks it's in front of the crash bar, right? Not between the radiator and the crash bar

I noticed the sensor hanging because it started giving strange readings (it freezing right now but it's giving 45C, which triggers the A/C, nice uh). Looks like the sleeve is important too, is that part replaceable or does it simply needs to be insulated with electric vinyl tape for example?

[HazeMyth]

Yes, it's right there on the bottom of the crash beam. The front bumper does have to come off to easily access it, though I've been able to adjust the sleeve on my wire with my finger tips through my grille the few times that I've had to.

I don't know if the sleeve is replaceable, but I'd imagine it would require a pretty substantial bit of work to replace it due to where it runs. I'd say depending on the condition of the wire, it's possible to fix it with electrical wrap vs. replacing the wire.

[ghgoldberg]

...
I don't know if the sleeve is replaceable, but I'd imagine it would require a pretty substantial bit of work to replace it due to where it runs. I'd say depending on the condition of the wire, it's possible to fix it with electrical wrap vs. replacing the wire.

If the wires still have integrity, you can apply liquid electrical tape and then 1/8" split loom for protection. It sounds like it might be good to add a couple of cable ties to secure the cable.


Sent from my LGLS992 using Audizine mobile app

[HazeMyth]

If the wires still have integrity, you can apply liquid electrical tape and then 1/8" split loom for protection. It sounds like it might be good to add a couple of cable ties to secure the cable.


Sent from my LGLS992 using Audizine mobile app

Oh, my wires are certainly repairable. I'm planning on using those little wire covers that you heat up to shrink them onto the wire. I've used those things to repair wire insulation in the past successfully. It's just that I need to take off my front bumper to do it, and it's way too cold to do it any time soon. After things start to warm up again I'm going to take the bumper off to address this issue and re-dip my crash bar (might as well since bumper will be off).

[ghgoldberg]

Oh, my wires are certainly repairable. I'm planning on using those little wire covers that you heat up to shrink them onto the wire. I've used those things to repair wire insulation in the past successfully. It's just that I need to take off my front bumper to do it, and it's way too cold to do it any time soon. After things start to warm up again I'm going to take the bumper off to address this issue and re-dip my crash bar (might as well since bumper will be off).

It's called heat-shrink tubing and is the true-and-proper fix. Do it right and go to Harbor Freight and get a heat gun for $20. Heat shrink is very useful. Heat gun is also good for loosening adhesives.



Sent from my LGLS992 using Audizine mobile app

[HazeMyth]

Ahh yeah, I couldn't think of the actual name. I thought everyone that's ever done work on their own cars already owned a heat gun? It's way better than sitting there with a freaking hair dryer for 20 minutes trying to heat it up enough.

[NuVega]

Kinda off and on topic, but does anyone else's ambient sensor hang onto the current temperature after driving for a bit, and doesn't update until after you drive again? For example, whenever I arrive home for the evening, the temp would read approx 64 degrees, park in the garage, next morning it still says 64 degrees however my garage due to car's heat is around 80 or so. I only bring this up because I read the car uses the outside air temp to know how much fuel to mix when starting up, and if it's actually 80ish but the car reads 60 or so there will be an off balance, maybe rough starts. Just wondering if it's just me or anyone notice this?

[CollecTTor]

I only bring this up because I read the car uses the outside air temp to know how much fuel to mix when starting up, and if it's actually 80ish but the car reads 60 or so there will be an off balance, maybe rough starts.

Won't affect fueling.

[Sgibb16]

Kinda off and on topic, but does anyone else's ambient sensor hang onto the current temperature after driving for a bit, and doesn't update until after you drive again? For example, whenever I arrive home for the evening, the temp would read approx 64 degrees, park in the garage, next morning it still says 64 degrees however my garage due to car's heat is around 80 or so. I only bring this up because I read the car uses the outside air temp to know how much fuel to mix when starting up, and if it's actually 80ish but the car reads 60 or so there will be an off balance, maybe rough starts. Just wondering if it's just me or anyone notice this?

I think the car uses coolant temp for fueling not ambient air.

[HazeMyth]

I noticed that when the ambient air sensor is malfunctioning the idle is slightly higher than normal.

[NuVega]

I think the car uses coolant temp for fueling not ambient air.

Aw ok cool, I probably didn't catch that part, just remembering some temperature will affect on occasion the start up.

[HazeMyth]

Oh, I should mention the higher RPM at idle with a failing ambient air sensor seems to be related to the radiator fan running prematurely. You know how a lot of cars will increase idle RPM right when a fan kicks on? It's sort of like that, only the idle RPM stays higher due to the fan staying on all the time.