How do i test blue sensor?

Need technical Q/A then you're in the right place

Moderator: martauto

Post Reply
User avatar
dizz
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 84
Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: surrey

Thu Dec 29, 2005 5:38 pm

318i M40
Just out of interest how can i test the blue temp sensor, i read some where that you can do it with a test meter (did a search but cant find it). I have just changed this sensor but it still dies at idle until it warms up :(

thanks
Mops
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 128
Joined: Thu Aug 11, 2005 11:00 pm

Thu Dec 29, 2005 7:39 pm

-run the engine until it's normal operating temp.
-let it idle.
-disconnect the blue sensor (with engine running)

this should result in incerase of revs in the engine, it should be very noticable (on my m20 it incerased revs to nearly 2krpm, from normal 800 idle), shut of the engine after 1 or 2 seconds. you should smell petrol from the exhaust :)

basically when you disconnect the sensor the ECU thinks the engine is very cold (like 40 below 0 deg C), pouring fuel all over the place....
1985/E30/325i coupe/5 speed/125k miles/shortshift/megasquirt II ECU controlling fuel and spark with custom ignitor and ICV mods/LC-1 wbo2/collecting parts for FI
User avatar
Brianmoooore
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 49358
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm

Thu Dec 29, 2005 8:03 pm

Measured from a good blue sensor a couple of years ago:
Resistance in cold water = 3400 ohms
In hot water from tap = 980 ohms
In very hot water = 306 ohms

This was a sensor used to repair a 318i which ran poorly when hot, with excessive fuel consumption. the readings from the original sensor were:
Cold = 7200 ohms
Hot water 1960 ohms
Very hot water 722 ohms.
E30Mark
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 8107
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Wimborne, Dorset

Thu Dec 29, 2005 9:50 pm

I believe the base figure for the sender is 2500 ohms @ 20deg C

Did a load of tests on and old sender that came out of my 318iS, but during the tests i realised my thermocouple was knackered so had to abort tests....
1 & 2 bed flats in Bournemouth areas, with parking
PM for details
magnumlove
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 61
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Ipswich

Fri Dec 30, 2005 7:18 pm

Where can you find the blue temp sensor on the M40 engine?
User avatar
dizz
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 84
Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: surrey

Fri Dec 30, 2005 9:29 pm

magnumlove wrote:Where can you find the blue temp sensor on the M40 engine?
If you stand on the passenger side of the engine bay the plug is right under the inlet manifold screwd into the engine.

Its very hard to get at, i took off the big rubber hose from the AFM to the TB for better access, also there is a black plastic square tube which runs in front of the sensor undo the two bolts holding it, it will only drop about 1" or so but its all you need to line up the 19mm deep socket, also find someone with small hands and long fingers as its dam fidderly job!
E30Mark
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 8107
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Wimborne, Dorset

Fri Dec 30, 2005 11:18 pm

dizz wrote:
magnumlove wrote:Where can you find the blue temp sensor on the M40 engine?
If you stand on the passenger side of the engine bay the plug is right under the inlet manifold screwd into the engine.

Its very hard to get at, i took off the big rubber hose from the AFM to the TB for better access, also there is a black plastic square tube which runs in front of the sensor undo the two bolts holding it, it will only drop about 1" or so but its all you need to line up the 19mm deep socket, also find someone with small hands and long fingers as its dam fidderly job!
I didn't realise it was so hard to access on the M40 engine, on the M42 you have a clear line of sight, 2 minute job!
1 & 2 bed flats in Bournemouth areas, with parking
PM for details
jonbuoy
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2092
Joined: Wed May 04, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Basildon, Essex

Fri Dec 30, 2005 11:26 pm

E30Mark wrote:
dizz wrote:
magnumlove wrote:Where can you find the blue temp sensor on the M40 engine?
If you stand on the passenger side of the engine bay the plug is right under the inlet manifold screwd into the engine.

Its very hard to get at, i took off the big rubber hose from the AFM to the TB for better access, also there is a black plastic square tube which runs in front of the sensor undo the two bolts holding it, it will only drop about 1" or so but its all you need to line up the 19mm deep socket, also find someone with small hands and long fingers as its dam fidderly job!
I didn't realise it was so hard to access on the M40 engine, on the M42 you have a clear line of sight, 2 minute job!
It is quite hard to see mate as it goes, unless you know where it is you won't find it and same goes for reaching it, it's a bastard!!
Image
magnumlove
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 61
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Ipswich

Sat Dec 31, 2005 12:08 am

Cheers guys, I'll give it a go looking for it!! The Haynes Manual I was using is shite
Post Reply