vauxhall vectra SRI thermometer...

[kitty]

we have just been having a discussion on a journey about where the thermometer is situated in the car. Is it under the bonnet as my boyfriends father is certain? Or is it elsewhere in th car as my boyfriend thinks? Also, how does it work considering that when the car is in motion, surely the wind created will cause the temperature to drop and therefore be inaccurate? And if it is under the bonnet, wouldnt it be affected by the heat of the engine??!! Hope someone can help!

[Gef]

I'm sure its not under the bonnet for the same reason that you give. I doubt if it is in the interior as it does not seem to be affected by opening windows etc. I have noticed in my car (a Megane) that the initial reading always falls once the car is in motion but to what seems like a reasonable reading for the day in question. Therfore I think it is situated underneath the car but in such a position that it is protected from wind effects etc.

[Headtime]

Not a scientific response, but I used to work in the Middle East where temperatures would often reach 40 degrees C, in the summer. I used to drive a Land-Cruiser whose thermometer once reported a temperature of 60 degrees C/150 degrees F!!!! Clearly, although fecking hot, it wasn't as hot as that, which led me to believe the probe for the thermometer was just underneath the bonnett lid -this got extremely hot, hence the high reading. Although, I once returned to the car to find a cassette on the dashboard had melted!

[strozzi]

I think that you will find that the air temperature sensor is situated immediately behind the front bumper. Here it is out of direct sunlight, not affected by the heat from the engine and not affected by wind, rain or snow etc. The temp will usually read high when the car is standing, but be pretty accurate when you are on the move.

[phlapp]

On the Mk 3 Astra it used to be behind the left headlight unit under the bonnet. I assume the Vectra is the same! q:-)