Ambient Temperature P0071
 

Hi all, long-time lurker, first-time poster.

I'm persistently getting a P0071 error code, indicating a fault with the ambient temperature from the instrument cluster. From what I've found, the US car has an ambient temperature sensor in the front grill for the auto AC and OBC. My car lacks AC or OBC, and I can't locate the sensor. Will it still have one? I removed the front bumper to search for it and found a blanking grommet where I believe it should be. When using an OBD scanner, I discovered that the ambient temperature according to the DME is 87°F, which seemed to be read from the MAF sensor, as the values changed when this was removed and would have been roughly correct. However, the temperature from the instrument cluster displayed -40°F. Does the instrument cluster take this data from the MAF sensor as well, indicating a wiring issue? Or is there a separate sensor in a different place on European cars?

Thanks.

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1694549852.jpg

Always helps when you list the year and model of the vehicle.......................

Ah, I'm sorry I though I had included that.

2003 986

It is in the front grill area, item #7 in the diagram:

https://dz310nzuyimx0.cloudfront.net...575ac18e63.png

Thanks! I'll have a look tomorrow in the daylight.

JFP, please correct me...

I was under the impression that the MAF sensor measured ambient temperature then letting the "computer" do its calculations for proper air/fuel mixture.

I thought the front sensor was just for the OBC... you know... ****************s and giggles.

Thank you. :cheers:

Hi I have found a small grommet in the bumper which I believe the sensor is supposed to be and have taken the bumper off again in an effort to find it. I am looking behind the horns and around that area but cannot see it. Is that the right place to be looking? Thanks

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1694602136.jpg

The MAF sensor reads intake air temperature, the ambient temp sensor is behind the grill.

This is a photo of a 2003 British Boxster that was changing the ambient sensor after it had failed that has been posted online by the Porsche Club of Great Britain:

https://www.porscheclubgb.com/forum/...?file=0;375464

Thanks again, JFP. I really appreciate your help. From what I can see, that picture looks like the sensor comes through a hole in the black plastic surround to the radiator. When I look at mine, it seems there is a small black blank grommet in place. Does this mean that it's routed elsewhere?

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1694615861.jpg

That is the only place I have ever seen them, but as I see vastly more US/NA cars than ones from other countries.

It might be worth your while to call a local Porsche dealer service department and ask them if cars there are different in respect to this sensor.