What is this
 

While cleaning my 2001 Boxter S, I noticed a probe (for lack of a better term) in the grill section on the left side of the car when looking at it from the front. I have no idea what it is for. It has wires coming off of the back of it. Can anyone help me identify this? I am attaching a picture. It is in the center section of this grill.

Thanks.

David

That should be the temp sensor for the car's OBC.

External air temperature probe.

Thanks. I should have thought of that.

Uh oh, looks like someone has an FBI listening device installed on their Boxster. :eek:

Was previous owner a one J. Comey by chance?

As stated, just the outside air temp probe.

;)

Sounds like you haven't had your front bumper cover off yet to clean out your radiators.

When you get around to doing that, be careful to unhook that temp sensor and remember to plug it back into the grill when you're done.

What does this temp sensor do?...I ask because my 98 Boxster does not display the outside air temperature on my instrument panel. My 98 is a basic model with no options. My family car does have an outside temp reading but not my Boxster.

The outside air temp as far as I know is only used for the OBC. Every 986 has the OBC built in, but it has to be activated. If you turn it on, but don't install a switch or stalk to move through the "pages" it will always show the first "page" which is the outside air temp. It can be activated by a durametric, and some dealers will (rarely) do it for free.

I believe it'a the Ambient Air Temperature Sensor for your air conditioner system.

OK that makes sense (AC ambient temp sensor). Since my car was not built/optioned with an extra stalk and only the MPH is displayed on the instrument readout the sensor serves no purpose unless it is part of the AC system.