Outside Air Temp Sensor - What does it do?

[KI4UJO]

So, I noticed that on my e30, this part is destroyed. However, I'm not quite sure exactly what it controls. It is part# 12621286074, and is listed as an Outside Air Temperature Sensor. It is this :

Any ideas? I really don't want to pay $60 for this thing at all, but m10 still doesn't idle right and everything else checks good, including the vacuum system.

[JTDay]

You need it. http://www.obd-codes.com/p0110

Although it's probably only one of a number of things causing poor idle.

[arnoldgtr]

It's $39 here:

http://www.bmwmercedesparts.com/parts/index.cfm?searchText=12621286074%09&make=BMW&action=oePartSearch&siteid=215771

[Jaxx_]

interesting enough, when I had L-Jet in the car, the barometer and air temp sensor were no where to be found, but the car idled well.