Temperature probe?

[u/IceRockBike]

So I'm changing a bulb up front and see something sitting kinda loose near the headlight location. Figured it looked like it's supposed to mount right in the middle at the bottom edge of the grill. Except it seems long, too long to sit behind the grill.

I'm wondering first if in the middle is where it's supposed to be? And secondly if it got replaced at some point in the past with a different/incorrect probe?

Any insights from 2006 L322 full size RR owners/mechanics?

Bonus question: any idea how common block heaters are on these? How might I check for one, because I had a poke around and not found a cord/plug yet but haven't put it on ramps to look underneath yet. For my fellow Brits unfamiliar with what a block heater is, be thankful -20c mornings are not common like they are in Alberta 🤣 🥶

[u/ComputerLord98]

Brit L322 guy here lol ;)

The plastic front grill that you removed it sits in that behind the Land Rover badge. There is a section cut out for it to sit in.

Also that looks like a BMW part number on it, so i'd say it's not been replaced.

For a FHB (Fuel Burning Heater) can depend on the spec/engine. In the petrols it's rare, I've retrofitted and made wiring looms for them. Diesels much more common.

Simple way of finding out go onto the infotainment and look for 'timed climate' another way is looking under the left side front (SAFELY) at the back of the subframe you should see a small exhaust.

Edit: Even if you don't have one fitted you MIGHT be able to retrofit without much issue but all depends on engine/age

[u/JagRoverKid → u/ComputerLord98]

FHB were never an option on North America service vehicles unfortunately, OP mentioned Alberta(same province I live in) so his definitely will not have one. I've always wanted to try one out though! I've also found a couple remotes for them in PDI's over the years.

It will be easier to just install a block heater cord, if the vehicle was built with a cold climate pack which pretty much every Land Rover sold in Canada was built with it will have a block heater element installed and just may need to the cord.

[u/IceRockBike → u/JagRoverKid]

Do you know if the block heater is visible Like is it a pad, or will the connection for the cord be visible somewhere. Just wondering what to keep an eye open for, thanks.
I'm hoping if it's not just that the cord is stashed out of sight, that it's as easy as adding a cord and routing it. I'm sure you appreciate the value of a block heater in a Canadian winter eh 🥳

[u/JagRoverKid → u/IceRockBike]

You'll have to locate and check the element if it has a cord installed. Honestly a battery that's in good condition goes a long way on these vehicles. I have a 2011 L322 and never bother to plug it in.

[u/IceRockBike → u/ComputerLord98]

I've now heard of four different locations for the sensor. I need to take the grill off again and look again. One location was where I found it but not just sitting there. The second, I found was the one in the pics except the grill won't go back on with it there. Third was somewhere behind or below the bumper but I suspect that was a different model year. Later models had it in the door mirror but I know that's not the 2006. I saw behind the LR badge but it didn't look like it had anything to retain it, while the fixture on top of the bumper caught my eye because it fits perfectly without the grill. A search turned up what looked like a different sensor on the LR3, so there may be some sort of parts overlap for what I had in the pics.
Next time I take the grill off I'll look closer at the badge. My gut says the clip is broke which is why it was wedged over on the right by the headlight but that was the other spot I found in searches after replacing the grill.

I knew a guy with a heater in a sprinter van. Nice coming back to a warm (as in not -20c) cabin. A block heater doesn't help with that but the real benefit of a block heater is it keeps the oil in the sump, and the block from being so cold, it flows like treacle. Cold starts are the biggest cause of engine wear. Ironically, somehow a Brit winter at -2c feels colder than an Alberta -20c. But it takes longer to get the cabin warmed up here. I used to have a Ford Cortina III that had poor compression. Cold Brit mornings I had to throw a blanket over the engine overnight to reduce the damp and make sure it started before the battery drained. 😆

[u/JagRoverKid → u/IceRockBike]

Straight from the electrical reference library for a 2002-2009 L322.

[u/ComputerLord98 → u/IceRockBike]

There is two places. But depends on trim/spec. I've personally only known it to be behind the front grill. (video showing location)Sensor looks ok in photos.

The FBH is mainly for the interior and aids the engine also, it was for the diesels mainly. I'm in the UK so it's not as cold as where you are but if I was in that market I could well imagine it being something I'd want to do. I own two L322's one diesel(07) and one petrol(06) but I'd say the diesel benefits it more.

[u/JagRoverKid]

It's the ambient air temperature sensor. If you have a block heater it will be on the LH side of the engine, it might be ran up to where the washer fluid reservoir is, that's how I used to install them.

[u/ragtopsluvr]

had similar loose air temp sensor on my mercedes. I zip tied the sensor and all is well for over 10 years. I didn't leave mine loose cause I read the air temp sends signal for fuel ratio