Ambient Temp Sensor Ripped

alpinene · 09-24-2021, 01:39 PM

Hey folks,

I'm a new guy in the forums and have only done cosmetic stuff to my 13 328ix.

Just this morning my undercarriage shield and left (driver side) wheel splash guard partially ripped away on the highway. I managed to drive home and take them off... but I noticed that my ambient temp sensor cable (blue) ripped right at the end of the sensor itself. And I think that triggered the check engine light.

Is that a possible light trigger?

If not, the other probable cause for the engine light could be that I've been notified that I'm due for service for about 1-2 weeks now - through the screen module, so perhaps an overdue message triggers the light. Otherwise, my car is in great mechanical shape.

More importantly, I'm just concerned about what happens if I decide not to get the ambient temp sensor rewired/fixed.

Does you have knowledge or experience with that? What sort of issues I could face in the future, for ex. my AC system malfunctioning..

Any advice is appreciated, thanks in advance!

Assassin · 11-08-2021, 07:50 AM

Unlikely to be that which gives you the engine light but you never know. Bearing in mind the damage you describe, I would check that the lambda sensor (O2 sensor) on the exhaust and its wiring are ok as anything wrong with that will throw and engine light immediately. It also may impact the engine efficency as it helps manage the fuel ratio and emissions etc.

Billfitz · 11-08-2021, 09:41 AM

The only way to perform a diagnosis is with an OBD diagnosis and repair tool. With BMW they're essential.

09-24-2021, 01:39 PM	#1
alpinene New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 328i xDrive Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Worcester, MA iTrader: (0)	Ambient Temp Sensor Ripped - Engine Light Hey folks, I'm a new guy in the forums and have only done cosmetic stuff to my 13 328ix. Just this morning my undercarriage shield and left (driver side) wheel splash guard partially ripped away on the highway. I managed to drive home and take them off... but I noticed that my ambient temp sensor cable (blue) ripped right at the end of the sensor itself. And I think that triggered the check engine light. Is that a possible light trigger? If not, the other probable cause for the engine light could be that I've been notified that I'm due for service for about 1-2 weeks now - through the screen module, so perhaps an overdue message triggers the light. Otherwise, my car is in great mechanical shape. More importantly, I'm just concerned about what happens if I decide not to get the ambient temp sensor rewired/fixed. Does you have knowledge or experience with that? What sort of issues I could face in the future, for ex. my AC system malfunctioning.. Any advice is appreciated, thanks in advance!
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11-08-2021, 07:50 AM	#2
Assassin First Lieutenant 142 Rep 338 Posts Drives: M340d MHT xDrive Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	Unlikely to be that which gives you the engine light but you never know. Bearing in mind the damage you describe, I would check that the lambda sensor (O2 sensor) on the exhaust and its wiring are ok as anything wrong with that will throw and engine light immediately. It also may impact the engine efficency as it helps manage the fuel ratio and emissions etc. __________________ G20 M340d X-Drive M Performance, Black Sapphire, HUD, Adaptive Susp...... previously F31 335d Xdrive Shadow Edition M Performance, Individual Tanzanite Blue, HUD, Adaptive Susp, Evolve-R Map, Xhp Stage 3 E60 535d Msport Carbon Black/E39 530d MSport, Black Sapphire/E34 525i MSport, Avus Blue/E34 520i MSport, Briliant Red
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11-08-2021, 09:41 AM	#3
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8233 Rep 16,069 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	The only way to perform a diagnosis is with an OBD diagnosis and repair tool. With BMW they're essential.
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