Where is the "Outside Temp" sensor?

[turbo79]

Can anyone tell me where the "Outside Temperature" sensor is located on a '92 with an automatic temperature control system?

I took the car to a brushless car wash, and after it was finished the outside temp. was reading about 12-15 deg. lower than the actual ambient temp. I figure it must have gotten wet and hadn't dried ou, or was partially shorted somwhow. It "improved" gradually as I drove home, but it took nearly 45 minutes (it was a fairly warm day (for NW Oregon this time of year). I want to check the sensor and make sure it's mounted properly. It has been reading within 1 deg. of those readerboards you see that display time and temperature in front of selected businesses (usually banks?).


Also, there was evidence that water had seeped in, passenger side, up under the dash in front of the door post. The car has never leaked in the rain before, at least the during the relatively steady rains we have out here. The car wash obviously puts out some heavy water streams to compensate for the lack of brushes. Any notions on where a leak could be coming from up there? Overflow from a drain that's not fully open in the heater "intake " area?

 

[TopGunnYFZ]

I beleive the sensor is right behind the opening in the grill, if you look in there you should be able to see it sitting there. You'll see it if its there, cant miss it. The one in my 94 reads WAY high but the one in my 90 is dead on IDK

 

[Kens1992mtxSHO]

I think I read in my manual that it is located behind the front bumper or behind the opening in the grill.

 

[turbo79]

Thanks, TopGunn and Kens 92.

 

[jthod]

Just to the right of the hood latch mechanism, and mounted to the readiator support.

 

[rubydist]

Just to the right of the hood latch mechanism, and mounted to the readiator support.

That would be right as you are facing the engine, or toward the driver's side.

 

[SHOIT0ff]

i took my car for the first time through a touchless car wash and i must say what a waste of money. my sho is white so maybe it does a better job on other colours but mine came out no cleaner and the pressure they use in those car washes are insane. i had water vapor in both my fish tanks and my headlights....i think the water shot under my assembly and in through the small hole along the bottom. so i now only wash it by hand.

 

[jthod]

Yep, touchless car washes be hatin' the SHO's.

 

[Kens1992mtxSHO]

Yep, made that mistake once. My SHO only gets hand washed now also.

 

[hawkeye18]

And they are available for purchase from AAP for about $15. They're kind of a #%*) to get off, esp. if the mounting collet is rusted, but if you have a good pair of pliers, or a big deepwell socket (no idea what size), it's not too bad.

Mine constantly read 10-15 degrees high, but a new one (which I intended to be an IAT, but was surprised to find it wasn't!) got it to within 1-2 degrees.

 

[jthod]

Mine reads about perfect.

Today is said "HOT AS A ****"

 

[Kilty423]

I took mine through a touchless and my car turn into an aquarium lol. Sun roof leaked but in regular rain its fine. God that was not fun lol.

 

[TopGunnYFZ]

I took mine through a touchless and my car turn into an aquarium lol. Sun roof leaked but in regular rain its fine. God that was not fun lol.

Yeah mine does the same, went through a touch less everything was fine until the drier, that air hit the moon roof and it rained inside the car

 

[turbo79]

Yep, made that [touchless car washes] mistake once. My SHO only gets hand washed now also.

I've seen the light! and now it's hand washes for my SHO as well. Guess I was just being lazy.

I will say that the moon roof, on which I had just changed the gasket (expensive little strip of rubber) didn't leak a drop (no more wind noise either).

An OT observation: based on the posts at this forum, and the wealth of information here and at SHOTimes, a lot of folks love these cars! I do, and since I now have the HVAC system working properly, what a great highway road car! Crank up the tunes (yes, after market stereo), point it down the road and (sorry Mazda, but this car seems in the MazdaSpeed tradition) zoom zoom zoom!

:busted: