Alright, finally have to ask the mirror question

What is the little nipple for on the bottom of the drivers mirror?

 

I believe thats the sensor for the outside temperature.

 

+1 so I've heard.

Odd place to put it, but I guess it's better than anywhere near the engine bay.

 

Yes, it's the outside temp sensor. BMW puts it down next to the road, where it can give you some odd readings but that's because its main function on that car is to give a warning when the road surface approaches freezing temperatures. Not sure what the Ferrari one does other than tell you the outside temp that you're likely to encounter once you open the windows or doors and leave the car. For that purpose, mounting on the mirror makes decent sense, as it can give a reasonably accurate reading. But it won't tell you road temp. And, every time I look at it, I keep thinking its some liquid that is about to drip!

 

and BTW, in case you didn't know - the Ambient air temp sensor is tied directly to your AC ECU which reads the outside temp and relays it to your dashboard, engine ECUs, etc.

A failure anywhere along that chain and you will get a MIL (check engine lamp)

Jim

 

So how do I find out what the outside temp is? I don't see it displayed anywhere.

 

Press one of the two little black buttons below the "Sport" switch on the left side of the steering wheel and the outside temp will be displayed in the error display window in the tach.

 

I had it happen to me twice with my 599. The nipple under the drivers side mirror does indeed monitor the outside temp. Which works in conjunction with the ECU that monitors engine heat. If either one feels that the parameters determined by the computer are either too close or too far apart your vid will show a fault. The first time this happened the dealer just cleared the fault. The second time it happended the sensor under the mirror was replaced and that corrected the problem.

 

Interesting. I'd been wondering what those 2 (unmarked) buttons do. I'll have to give that a try.

 

sounds like some of you better consult your owners manual before its too late...

 

Hmm, those 2 buttons don't seem to do anything. Anyone have any suggestions about what I should check?

 

It's the left button I think. Press it briefly a couple times and it should cycle through so you can see the temp on the dash display where it normally says "Check OK" or something like that when you start up the car.

 

Check this.
I hope it helps;
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Yep the left button. Labled mode on my 430 turns the outside temp on and off...

Thanks all.... You guys is so smart!

Now what the heck is the reason for two key positions before you hit the start button... Eh, another thread.....

 

This is much more interactive!

 

Thanks. Both buttons are totally inoperative on my car. I guess I need to start checking fuses, contacts etc.

 

HH- That is how you start the car if your remote in the key is inoperative.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

what is how you start the car if the remote fails

 

there are sooooo many threads about keys, fobs, positions, and all...

All I know is that I am 99% totally confused.

The 1% I know know however, is what I use to make my car start!!

All I am going to worry myself about right now....