can anyone please tell me, if there is an air-con sensor situated in the drivers-side wing-mirror as i have just replaced mine and now the air-con faulty message appears on the dash...
if it's not one thing with this car, it's another. surely got an italian temperament and only works properly when it feels like it.
would appreciate any answers greatly!!

Well yes and no...
i had to replace just glass but got quoted on full unit and guy told me
There is a temp sensor in driver side casing and if your multipla has automatic air con fitted acts as air con sensor too
so unless there is something wrong with wires you maybe fitted the wrong part
and yes multiplas are very temperemental...i sold mine last week as i had enough!!

If your old mirror housing has got a little 'pimple' on its lower right hand side (as seen from the drivers seat) then that is the temperature sensor. It is linked to the climate control on ELX (round nose) and Eleganza (square nose) models, so if you fit a mirror that hasn't got the sensor you'll get an air-con fault flagged up.

Heated, folding mirrors without the sensor have 7 wires running to the white block that connects to the cars' loom; heated, folding + temp sensor have 9.

Good post, and it leads me to a related question!!
I've only had my multi a few months so haven't had the pleasure of aircon when really needed. (2 days in may usually here in Ireland)

Anyway...does this sensor tell the aircon how hard to work based on outside temperature??

I turn on the aircon every few days for a few mins. As I heard this is good practice, but haven't noticed much cold air...I do remember having it in tho the day I bought it and it was a warmer than normal day and aircon was blowing cold.
Cheers
Marty.

martyc5674 said:

Anyway...does this sensor tell the aircon how hard to work based on outside temperature??

Click to expand...

Nope, as external temp is fairly irrelevant, it's internal temp that'll be monitored. The external sensor normally just shuts the compressor off below certain temps (<3-4C) to prevent the system from freezing and damaging itself.

Ideally aircon should be used for about 10-15 min once a week. A few mins wouldn't really be enough IMO.

Cheers for that.
Maybe I'm not leaving it on long enough to get a good chill going so.
Marty.

If you don't use the aircon occasionally, even in the winter, the seals can perish and then the refrigerant leaks out and you've no aircon.
You can sometimes get away with a recharge, but if the seals are badly perished then you're ballaxed.
N.B. Defrost setting on climate control Multi's uses aircon to dry the incoming air to help get rid of condensation, so worth using this setting if only to give the aircon a workout.