Placement of outside Thermometer sensor?

I just bought a small inside/outdoor thermometer for my X. Just wondering about peoples judgement on best location for the outside sensor. It is on 9 feet of wire so I can go quite a distance from where the display is mounted (just above the stereo).

Suggestions/justification???

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2001 Silver Ice XE automatic 4X4

I got one cuz the wife thought it was nifty. I made a bracket and hung it in front of the map light switches, the sensor is wired to the front left fender by the headlight. ( my logic was keeping it away from the engine heat ) they are not the most accurate anyway.. so..

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member of http://www.soxc.org
http://www.geocities.com/x_canuk

Best place is just in front of the radiator. The fan draws fresh air past it that way and there's no artificial temp reading that way.

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Eric Konarske
'01 Solar Yellow XE 3 Pk. 4x4

I hooked my senser right in front of the radiator. It works great and accurate while driving, but the moment you stop the car, It tends to be affected by the heat from the radiator.

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2001 Silver Ice
4x4 XE

Don't do what I did...

I cheated and put it in the door jam of the driver side door. Nice install since the wiring run is short and nearly invisible. One small problem...

The air coming from the engine compartment goes through that space and preheats the air hitting the sensor! D'ohhhh!

So, I gotta move mine - in front of the radiator is a good idea. Out of the way of the engine bay.

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2001 Solar Yellow SE 4x4 V6 5spd

Just a 2 cent comment, having it by the rad, you get a lower temp while driving, the sensor is cheap and prone to easy damage. I tucked mine into the left fender, by the light ( little hole there ) at least its protected and out of the direct wind.

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member of http://www.soxc.org
http://www.geocities.com/x_canuk

I did the same thing that BoarderPhreak did. I was going to move it, but I am planning on getting a mirror with a compass and thermometer, so I figured why put the effort in, when I am going ot change it out soon?


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RonB
Weapon X - 2000 Blue Xterra SE 2WD
SWXC - Hill Country Chapter Member

Having it in the wind while you are driving is why it's the most accurate place to put it. You don't get false readings from the engine heat like you will in most other areas. I'm not sure if you are implying that wind chill will affect your readings, but if you are you aren't correct. Wind chill only affects an object trying to keep it's temperature above that of the actual air temperature--like the human body.

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Eric Konarske
'01 Solar Yellow XE 3 Pk. 4x4

On my old Mercedes the temp. sensor is directly behind the front license plate. It is usually an acurate place, except when the car has been parked facing the sun- it goes up a few degrees. I think I'd place the sensor in front of the radiator but down low near the front plate. It would be least effected by engine temp, methinks. Also, you could get a good idea how cold the water is when you go splashing around in puddles.

I really got used to having a temp gauge in the old car and I miss it. I want one for my X!

I think i'm mounting the sensor for mine somewhere in the back.. When I do it this weekend, i'll be sure to take pics..

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- Josh
'01 SuperBlack XE 4x4 V6 3pak
Utah Xterras -
http://www.prowlerz.net/xterra/

Well I did put the sensor well in front of the radiator. It worked great when the vehicle was moving but when I parked the X the temp went up to 47 degrees C. Yes we use Celsius in Canada.
I then moved the sensor to the hole where the drivers side driving/fog light would go, just under the Windsheild washer fluid tank. From that position I do not get any high readings from residual radiator/engine heat and the wind blows on it when I'm moving.
Work great there . . . I think its there to stay.
Thank you for all of your input/comments.

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2001 Silver Ice XE automatic 4X4