Where is the cabin temperature sensor located?

[chris82]

I cannot find a thread on where this thing is located. Basically there is no heat not even when set to 84 degrees. I'm looking for the temperature sensor for the interior, perhaps this is dirty, any idea where it is located?

I looked on realOEM but I'm not sure if this is the sensor I'm looking for

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...33&hg=64&fg=45

Any input is appreciated, thanks!

[e36addict]

The one in the link is the AUC sensor which monitors outside air quality for the auto recirculation function.. the interior sensor is located in the IHKA control panel right by the fan speed buttons. Located in the module behind the little screen.. hope this helps

edit: and as for no heat, I've never seen one of these sensors cause said problems. Usually with the E9x and E8x cars it's a clogged or partially clogged heater core, or faulty thermostat.

[chris82]

Thanks for the reply. Now would I be able to resolve the clogged heater core issue or faulty thermostat? Or should I leave this to a pro?

[JimD]

Originally Posted by Chrisar82

Thanks for the reply. Now would I be able to resolve the clogged heater core issue or faulty thermostat? Or should I leave this to a pro?

A heater core is a physically simple device, it is like a small radiator, but it is located within the dash. If you can get to it, you could change it out, the issue is access. I do not believe our cars have a thermostat as such, however. We have electric cooling and I believe the function of a thermostat is performed by recirulating cooling fluid very slowly until it heats up. On an older car with a mechanical coolant pump, the fluid flow if relatively fixed so a thermostat blocks flow to the engine until it gets a chance to warm up.

A simple check you could make would be to run "torque" an inexpensive app for phones and tablets to let you see if the coolant temperature rises. It would cost you on the order of $30 for the OBDII to bluetooth adapter and the software. The same setup would let you read and clear generic codes. If the engine is heating up, the issue is with the heater core or the flaps which control air flow. If the engine isn't heating up, then there is a sensor or logic error in the cooling. I don't mind running Torque but I do not like to get into the dash any more, you often have to stand on your head to a degree. So I would probably take it somewhere.

[chris82]

Okay, I think I will be taking to a shop then. THanks for the replies!

[e36addict]

Our cars definitely have a thermostat.. I've replaced plenty of them. And as far as the heater core, if you're not familiar with dash work or E82's in particular, i'd leave it to a pro. It's quite the job.

[chris82]

Hi just an update on this. Took the car to Bavarian Specialties. Turned out to be a clogged heater core. They cleaned it out, now I have full heat! Thanks for the help!

[spangae2]

Apologies for jumping into this thread a decade later...

Are you sure the cabin temperature sensor on an E82 is located in the IHKA control panel?

Because there's some component that people are selling in various places
https://www.ebay.com/itm/324506450705
https://www.trodo.com/sender-unit-in...bilstein-45762
that looks like it would report interior temperature?

Related - does anyone know if there is a BMW OBDII way to read out what temperature the car thinks it is?

Thanks!!

[WeryPert1]

Apologies for the semi-hijack, but in my car I can't seem to get noticeably warm air out of the HVAC unless I set the temp above 80F... does that sound normal?

Conditions today: outside the car is like 54F, inside probably 64ish and I wanted a little heat but setting to 74F then 78F the air coming out the vents still feels cool to my hand, and I don't really get warm/hot air until I set it at like 84F. Seems odd to me that settings of 74F and 78F don't produce warmer air. Thoughts?

[fotontom]

Originally Posted by WeryPert1

Apologies for the semi-hijack, but in my car I can't seem to get noticeably warm air out of the HVAC unless I set the temp above 80F... does that sound normal?

Conditions today: outside the car is like 54F, inside probably 64ish and I wanted a little heat but setting to 74F then 78F the air coming out the vents still feels cool to my hand, and I don't really get warm/hot air until I set it at like 84F. Seems odd to me that settings of 74F and 78F don't produce warmer air. Thoughts?

I must be within a few miles of you and had the same experience. Same approximate temps. It was relatively cool the past few days, lol. Here is what to do.

De-select your vent choice from the left side of the HVAC module. Set your desired temp, and then select ‘auto.’ Make sure all other HVAC selections are off.

When I originally tried the heater, I had the same experience as you. I normally run the A/C with the face level vents. That did not produce heat.

Hope this helps.

[WeryPert1]

Originally Posted by fotontom

I must be within a few miles of you and had the same experience. Same approximate temps. It was relatively cool the past few days, lol. Here is what to do.

De-select your vent choice from the left side of the HVAC module. Set your desired temp, and then select ‘auto.’ Make sure all other HVAC selections are off.

When I originally tried the heater, I had the same experience as you. I normally run the A/C with the face level vents. That did not produce heat.

Hope this helps.

Thanks; I'll give that a try. Makes me long for a simple red/blue dial again.

[/threadjack]

[chris82]

Originally Posted by WeryPert1

Apologies for the semi-hijack, but in my car I can't seem to get noticeably warm air out of the HVAC unless I set the temp above 80F... does that sound normal?

Conditions today: outside the car is like 54F, inside probably 64ish and I wanted a little heat but setting to 74F then 78F the air coming out the vents still feels cool to my hand, and I don't really get warm/hot air until I set it at like 84F. Seems odd to me that settings of 74F and 78F don't produce warmer air. Thoughts?

This is completely normal for the HVAC system in this car. I have to set to 83 or 84 to get any sort of warm air, and sometimes its just luke warm. The design is bad from the start so only so much you can do