Sensor? in lower right bumper vent 1998

[Rob175]

Disregard.....found my answer after researching this Forum

THX

[JFP in PA]

It is the outside air temp sensor.

[Rob175]

THX......yep....found the answer.....but still wonder what's it's for since there no way to display it's reading on my instrument panel.

Does it "talk" to the car's internals? Is it supposed to be displayed to the driver? or....did Porsche just include it in the manufacturing of ALL Boxsters even if the base ones don't display it for the driver?

[JFP in PA]

First of all, the car's DME control system needs to know a variety of information to keep the car running correctly, including outside air temperature; second, ALL 986's left the factory with OBC system installed, but it was only activated on those that paid for the option. Installing the fourth stalk on the steering column and activating the system was one of the most popular DIY mods way back when............

[redpepperracing]

Mine is as base as base can be from MY2000, and the OBC was enabled, although I don't have the stalk for it. Don't know if it came from the factory that way, but you don't need the stalk if you just want the temp on the dash, but you may need a dealer to enable it. I can't remember if a Durametric can do it.

[JFP in PA]

Durametric Pro can enable it.

[Rob175]

Thanks....but spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars to display the outside air temp seems like a waste of money......as long as the radio works I can tune into a weather forecast...LOL

[10/10ths]

….the outside air temp info is used to help provide the right fuel/air mixture, among other things.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Rob175

Thanks....but spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars to display the outside air temp seems like a waste of money......as long as the radio works I can tune into a weather forecast...LOL

The OBC does a variety of things besides the outside air temp. it also adds fuel economy, distance until empty, and the speed warning alert which you set to trigger a gong at whatever speed you choose. Some people like it and find it useful, others not so much. And it does not cost "hundreds and hundreds of dollars", so people have set up for peanuts........

[redpepperracing]

Exactly. Mine was already enabled, so did the poor mans version and used some VW wires for the cluster pins and a couple of stock 986 window switches I got from ebay. Probably cost me $60-80 in parts? If you are adding complete 3 or 4 stalk steering column switch, then yes, it can get in the hundreds, but they come up cheaply occasionally.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by redpepperracing

Exactly. Mine was already enabled, so did the poor mans version and used some VW wires for the cluster pins and a couple of stock 986 window switches I got from ebay. Probably cost me $60-80 in parts? If you are adding complete 3 or 4 stalk steering column switch, then yes, it can get in the hundreds, but they come up cheaply occasionally.

Even if you wanted to do it with the four stalk switch, they retail for around $330 new, or about $200 used.

[The Radium King]

i have a 4-stalk unit that i am not using if someone wants it. i think i have the vw patch cables as well. pm if interested and can sort out a price.

[Rob175]

Well.......as long as it helps to adjust engine stuff, that's good enough for me. It's my summer sunny day driver so all of the info it COULD display is of no need for me.

Thx