retrofit external temp sensor& Dot Matrix display

i was thinking about upgrading my display to the dot matrix type as it seems to be a straight swap going by the guide i have seen on here, however, my mpg and stuff is already displayed in the binnacle underneath the speedo, would there be a conflict here as i am aware the dot matrix trip computer has six functions in comparison to the five on the trip computer i have, will there be an issue there, also i would like to finish the upgrade off with an external temp readout on the display but i am not sure what i would have to do to get that to work, i can see that the sensor is cheap and comes with 2 black wires, would i just plumb them into the empty spaces in the connector for the electric mirror adjustment or is the temp sensor something to do with the brown connector that isn't used at all on my model?

samstagmoonyham wrote:i was thinking about upgrading my display to the dot matrix type as it seems to be a straight swap going by the guide i have seen on here, however, my mpg and stuff is already displayed in the binnacle underneath the speedo, would there be a conflict here as i am aware the dot matrix trip computer has six functions in comparison to the five on the trip computer i have, will there be an issue there, also i would like to finish the upgrade off with an external temp readout on the display but i am not sure what i would have to do to get that to work, i can see that the sensor is cheap and comes with 2 black wires, would i just plumb them into the empty spaces in the connector for the electric mirror adjustment or is the temp sensor something to do with the brown connector that isn't used at all on my model?

The best thing to do would be to plug the new matrix display into the connector that had the old figure 8 display connected.

You won't do any harm, but if there is not a correct display and lexia BSI software updates don't work, you can just swap back.

Do you have air conditioning or climate control?

There are some pictures of the external temperatures sensor connector on the door in this topic. Have a look to see if you have the connector behind the door card, some pictures here.

Arfur Dent wrote:

samstagmoonyham wrote:i was thinking about upgrading my display to the dot matrix type as it seems to be a straight swap going by the guide i have seen on here, however, my mpg and stuff is already displayed in the binnacle underneath the speedo, would there be a conflict here as i am aware the dot matrix trip computer has six functions in comparison to the five on the trip computer i have, will there be an issue there, also i would like to finish the upgrade off with an external temp readout on the display but i am not sure what i would have to do to get that to work, i can see that the sensor is cheap and comes with 2 black wires, would i just plumb them into the empty spaces in the connector for the electric mirror adjustment or is the temp sensor something to do with the brown connector that isn't used at all on my model?

The best thing to do would be to plug the new matrix display into the connector that had the old figure 8 display connected.

You won't do any harm, but if there is not a correct display and lexia BSI software updates don't work, you can just swap back.

Do you have air conditioning or climate control?

There are some pictures of the external temperatures sensor connector on the door in this topic. Have a look to see if you have the connector behind the door card, some pictures here.

i just have normal A/C in my car and when i had the door card off the other day i noted that there was one connector wired in (presumably electric mirror adjustment) and i also have a brown connector which is not used, i think its for heating the mirrors on the exclusive model but not sure.

samstagmoonyham wrote:i just have normal A/C in my car

Thanks. So you don't have the sensor in the mirror?

The diagram I have shows pins 4 and 6 of the black connector taking the signal from the external temperature sensor to the BSI module.

Arfur Dent wrote:

samstagmoonyham wrote:i just have normal A/C in my car

Thanks. So you don't have the sensor in the mirror?

The diagram I have shows pins 4 and 6 of the black connector taking the signal from the external temperature sensor to the BSI module.

no i dont have the sensor, i was going to buy one and install it into my drivers mirror and plug it into the appropriate connector as long as it is just plug and play

samstagmoonyham wrote:no i dont have the sensor, i was going to buy one and install it into my drivers mirror and plug it into the appropriate connector as long as it is just plug and play

It connects to the BSI, so you will need the sensor enabled in the BSI software. I don't know if yours is, so as you say, you will need to plug and play to find out.

Arfur Dent wrote:

samstagmoonyham wrote:no i dont have the sensor, i was going to buy one and install it into my drivers mirror and plug it into the appropriate connector as long as it is just plug and play

It connects to the BSI, so you will need the sensor enabled in the BSI software. I don't know if yours is, so as you say, you will need to plug and play to find out.

if it isnt enabled straight off, will i be able to enable it in lexia?
thanks

samstagmoonyham wrote:if it isnt enabled straight off, will i be able to enable it in lexia?
thanks

Lexia is the tool to do that sort of job. There are a lot of configuration options for A/C and Climate control features in lexia so I would expect you can enable it in there. But its not an option like 'Temperature sensor: YES/NO' from what I have seen. You will need to get deep into the configuration options

Have a look in 'Air Conditioning' - Passenger compartment heating for a start.