OUTDOOR temp gauge on the fritz

[Nodoubter1023]

I've looked all over to see if anyone's had a similar issue but to no avail. Maybe you guys could shed some light?

I've got a 2001 1.8 turbo beetle. Just the other day I noticed that if I idle too long (and in Chicago traffic this happens a lot...gah) the out door temp starts rising. It was 72 degrees according to the weather report, but my gauge was reading 105. When I started moving again, the gauge started to drop back down.

Is this just a sensor issue or could it be a warning of bigger problems?

My CEL comes on periodically because the dealership let me know the catalyst needs to be replaced, but other than that no issues. Not even the engine temp light or oil light.

Just a wonky outdoor temp reading.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

[Toad]

its perfectly normal. the sensor is behind the grill near the drivers foglight. the sensor in my audi reads that high in the summer sometimes, but i am much farther south than you are.

basically when the car is sitting, the air around the sensor will get hotter since it's right in front of the radiator and right above the sun soaked road. ones you cruise for a little while, it does go down and read normally, but yeah, its not accurate when your just sitting there in the middle of summer...

[Nodoubter1023]

What concerns me is that I've had the car for 4 years and it's never done that before.

It's a steady rise, starting out at the right temperature, then going up one degree at a time about every few minutes or so.

Could the sensor just be going out? Or could it be a sign of potential engine overheating?

[simonsi]

Originally Posted by Nodoubter1023

What concerns me is that I've had the car for 4 years and it's never done that before.

I´m surprised, any car I´ve had with an external temp sensor is disturbed by engine/ambient heat when stationary...

[Nodoubter1023]

So in other words, I probably shouldn't be concerned?

[simonsi]

I wouldn't be.