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MNBoxster · 11-06-2005, 10:06 AM

Hi,

The Temp Gauge in the Boxster is not terribly accurate. It can be affected by a variety things, plus it doesn't read the true temp, only giving you a range. It is sufficient to let you know if there's a severe problem and the general Temp.

If you're ever concerned and want the actual value of the Coolant Temp, you can always access the Datastream hidden in the Car's Climatronic Unit (which is actually manufactured by AUDI). Not a lot of Owners are aware of this ability and it works only on the '97-'00 models (don't actually know if it's there on the later MY or not).

First, press and hold the Recirculating Button, then press both Temperature Buttons (+ -). To enter the Diagnostics, you hold down the Recirculating and Air Up buttons simultaneously for 5 sec. The + - will then scroll up/down through a list of 'C' codes. Pressing the Center Vent Button will alternate between the 'C' code with it's actual value. To exit and return to normal operation, press the Auto Button. Here is a list of the available codes:

0c - ERL
1c - Oil Temp
2c - Inside Temp - From the Sensor mounted in the Aspirator Assembly at the side of the Dash
3c - Outside Temp - From the Sensor inside the Air Inlet of the A/C Unit
4c - Outside Temp - From the Sensor in Front Grill of the Radiator. Data is fed to the Climatronic from the Instrument Cluster. When not moving, the Instrument Cluster OBC Temp Display retains it's last setting until moving. This is to prevent heat emanating from the Radiator affecting the Temp Sensor. The Climatronic uses the lower of the two values in determining Fresh-Air Temp.
5c - Outside Temp - matches OBC outside temp display
6c - Coolant Temp
7c - Footwell Discharge Temp
8c - Sun Sensor (dash top)
9c - Sun Sensor
10c- Passenger Compartment Fan Speed
11c- Passenger Compartment Fan Voltage
12c- Temperature Mix Flap Command (1=COLD, 100= HOT)
13c- Temperature Mix Flap Position
14c - Central Flap Command
15c - Central Flap Position
16c - Footwell/Defrost Flap Command
17c - Footwell/Defrost Flap Position
18c - Recirculation Valve Command (1=OFF, 100=RECIRC)
19c - Recirculation Valve Position (feedback)
20c - Vehicle Speed in kph, updates once per second. This is True Speed, not the Speed+Safety Margin displayed by the Speedometer.
21c - Engine RPM in hundreds, also updates once per second
22c - ?
23c - ?
24c - Sun Sensor, Exterior Lights Switch, and Panel Lights control (term. 58 & 58d voltage) - used for A/C Panel Display Illumination
25c - ?
26c - ?
27c - ?
28c - Fan Speed
29c - ?
30c - Engine Run Time in seconds (255max.) (=0Xff)
31c - Timing Counter
32c - Displays Test
33c - Software Version (usually 3.4)
34c - ?
35c - Outside Temp from Inlet Sensor (filtered)
36c - Temp

So, by checking code 6c, you can get the actual value of your Coolant Temp. Hope this helps...

Happy Motoring!...Jim'99

11-06-2005, 10:06 AM	#7
MNBoxster Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, USA Posts: 3,308	Hi, The Temp Gauge in the Boxster is not terribly accurate. It can be affected by a variety things, plus it doesn't read the true temp, only giving you a range. It is sufficient to let you know if there's a severe problem and the general Temp. If you're ever concerned and want the actual value of the Coolant Temp, you can always access the Datastream hidden in the Car's Climatronic Unit (which is actually manufactured by AUDI). Not a lot of Owners are aware of this ability and it works only on the '97-'00 models (don't actually know if it's there on the later MY or not). First, press and hold the Recirculating Button, then press both Temperature Buttons (+ -). To enter the Diagnostics, you hold down the Recirculating and Air Up buttons simultaneously for 5 sec. The + - will then scroll up/down through a list of 'C' codes. Pressing the Center Vent Button will alternate between the 'C' code with it's actual value. To exit and return to normal operation, press the Auto Button. Here is a list of the available codes: 0c - ERL 1c - Oil Temp 2c - Inside Temp - From the Sensor mounted in the Aspirator Assembly at the side of the Dash 3c - Outside Temp - From the Sensor inside the Air Inlet of the A/C Unit 4c - Outside Temp - From the Sensor in Front Grill of the Radiator. Data is fed to the Climatronic from the Instrument Cluster. When not moving, the Instrument Cluster OBC Temp Display retains it's last setting until moving. This is to prevent heat emanating from the Radiator affecting the Temp Sensor. The Climatronic uses the lower of the two values in determining Fresh-Air Temp. 5c - Outside Temp - matches OBC outside temp display 6c - Coolant Temp 7c - Footwell Discharge Temp 8c - Sun Sensor (dash top) 9c - Sun Sensor 10c- Passenger Compartment Fan Speed 11c- Passenger Compartment Fan Voltage 12c- Temperature Mix Flap Command (1=COLD, 100= HOT) 13c- Temperature Mix Flap Position 14c - Central Flap Command 15c - Central Flap Position 16c - Footwell/Defrost Flap Command 17c - Footwell/Defrost Flap Position 18c - Recirculation Valve Command (1=OFF, 100=RECIRC) 19c - Recirculation Valve Position (feedback) 20c - Vehicle Speed in kph, updates once per second. This is True Speed, not the Speed+Safety Margin displayed by the Speedometer. 21c - Engine RPM in hundreds, also updates once per second 22c - ? 23c - ? 24c - Sun Sensor, Exterior Lights Switch, and Panel Lights control (term. 58 & 58d voltage) - used for A/C Panel Display Illumination 25c - ? 26c - ? 27c - ? 28c - Fan Speed 29c - ? 30c - Engine Run Time in seconds (255max.) (=0Xff) 31c - Timing Counter 32c - Displays Test 33c - Software Version (usually 3.4) 34c - ? 35c - Outside Temp from Inlet Sensor (filtered) 36c - Temp So, by checking code 6c, you can get the actual value of your Coolant Temp. Hope this helps... Happy Motoring!...Jim'99 Last edited by MNBoxster; 11-06-2005 at 11:34 AM.