Does anyone know where the temp. sensor is located on the exterior? I wonder if we can install a few other thermistors (cabin, engine compartment, trunk?) and switch between them so the dashboard readout can be multifunctional...

It would be great if somebody with a wiring diagram can show me how to get to the sensor

Thanks in advance

 

I think it is at the front of the car on the left behind the bumper. There is a thread somewhere, maybe in the DIY area where someone asked what an electrical connector was that had come off from his bumper area. Someone said it was the temp sensor. Look down around the oil cooler, in front of or below it.
Darkling

 

unser that is a great idea

yes darklingq is right...it is like a fat black pen

as for putting it on a switch and allowing you to choose...just order more sensors from Mazda...then use a simple switch to move betwen the two sensors...one sensor u can mount in side...brilliant!

 

the sensor is (looking at the nose of the car) to the right upper corner of the main 'mouth' opening in the bumper. I belive this is the same temp sensor the ECU uses to calibrate the A/F for the enigine vs air temp. If it is, im not sure how easy your project would be....the sensor could have a duel output (one to ECU, one to the dash) or it could be 1 output to the ecu and then the dash is just a visual read out of what the ECU see's. If its the later, it could be hard to get it to display a temp from another sensor. If its just a 2nd output from the sensor I think you could buy a replacement sensor from mazda ($$$ im sure) and splice it in via a switch, or find one that outputs the same signal as the stock one.

 

Usually thermistors are pretty standard, at least what I have used in computer cases for CPU temperature etc, and if they are hooked up they show a reliable temperature. I plan to get a thermistor from a computer case and substitute it for the original Mazda sensor, & see what it reads. If it works, a simple multi-position toggle switch can switch between multiple sources of temperature, if only temporarily if the ECU depends on the sensor output. I will post data as I get it

Thanks all for the input

 

are you sure about that?

I'll have to look at the electrical diagrams later tonight...cause if it does things could get nast :p

 

My initial reaction is: Faint heart never won fair maiden !!!

but I will not throw caution to the wind, truemegellan! You are my true buddy if u can look up the diagrams for ECU temp. sensor. Thanks

 

if u go on AIM or want to send me your email address by PM I can send u the electrical diagrams

 

Thanks a bunch for the diagrams, they are quite comprehensive !! ( I mean it will take some time to go over them.....) :-)