AC Sensor????
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 930
Likes: 13
From: Aiken SC
AC Sensor????
Hey guys.....The other day while driving in town (had the AC on-96 degrees here), noticed that the ext temp on the dual AC control was reading 102 degrees & the AC wasn't blowing as cold as it had. Is this normal? Where does the EXT reading come from & could this mean a bad sensor. Also, does this ext temp have any control over the ac blowing cold air? BTW.....no codes.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
tracer1
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
tracer1
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,182
Likes: 4,178
From: Kannapolis NC
The external sensor reading a little higher wouldn't cause the air to not blow cold. The air might feel a little warmer at 96 degrees than it would at say 85 degrees out, but if your air is not cold enough, you probably need a freon check. What desired temp did you have your air set to for the cabin?
The external temp may have been showing what it read earlier, maybe parked on hot pavement. After you drive a little, it should update to current outside temp.
The external temp may have been showing what it read earlier, maybe parked on hot pavement. After you drive a little, it should update to current outside temp.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 930
Likes: 13
From: Aiken SC
The external sensor reading a little higher wouldn't cause the air to not blow cold. The air might feel a little warmer at 96 degrees than it would at say 85 degrees out, but if your air is not cold enough, you probably need a freon check. What desired temp did you have your air set to for the cabin?
The external temp may have been showing what it read earlier, maybe parked on hot pavement. After you drive a little, it should update to current outside temp.
The external temp may have been showing what it read earlier, maybe parked on hot pavement. After you drive a little, it should update to current outside temp.
Thanks for the reply & the info, will have the freon checked also.
tracer1
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 930
Likes: 13
From: Aiken SC
Seems like a stupid place to put an external temp sensor....next to a hot radiator?????? But again, I'm no engineer.
Again, thanks
tracer1
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,182
Likes: 4,178
From: Kannapolis NC
There's a cabin temp sensor also in the dash, but I really think your problem is with the freon level. That's assuming that the air blowing out is truly warmer than normal. The outside temp sensor will cause the compressor not to cut on below a certain temp, but it doesn't control the temp of the cabin air.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 930
Likes: 13
From: Aiken SC
There's a cabin temp sensor also in the dash, but I really think your problem is with the freon level. That's assuming that the air blowing out is truly warmer than normal. The outside temp sensor will cause the compressor not to cut on below a certain temp, but it doesn't control the temp of the cabin air.
Thanks,
tracer1
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,182
Likes: 4,178
From: Kannapolis NC
I know about the temp in the dash. Exactly what does that do & how can you tell if it's working (or not)?
I assume you would get a code if it wasn't working, but don't know for sure. One thing that would happen if it didn't work would be the air would blow a different temp than selected, depending on what the failure was. If it couldn't reach the temp you selected, it would either continue to blow hot or cold trying to reach it. Does your air temp coming out of the vents vary if you select say 80 or 60? If it does, but doesn't get cold enough when set low, I'd (for the third time) suspect the freon level.
I assume you would get a code if it wasn't working, but don't know for sure. One thing that would happen if it didn't work would be the air would blow a different temp than selected, depending on what the failure was. If it couldn't reach the temp you selected, it would either continue to blow hot or cold trying to reach it. Does your air temp coming out of the vents vary if you select say 80 or 60? If it does, but doesn't get cold enough when set low, I'd (for the third time) suspect the freon level.
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Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Long Island NY
There's a cabin temp sensor also in the dash, but I really think your problem is with the freon level. That's assuming that the air blowing out is truly warmer than normal. The outside temp sensor will cause the compressor not to cut on below a certain temp, but it doesn't control the temp of the cabin air.
It may have been too hot out and the A/C just didn't feel as cool because of it, however if you havent had your freon recharged in the last five years or so then you may want to anyway. If the air is blowing cool and your compressor cycles on and off normally then I wouldnt worry about it. Usually when freon levels drop below a certain amount your compressor won't come on at all or will come on and shut off sparatically. Thats what happened to mine and a recharge solved the problem. Good luck bro!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 930
Likes: 13
From: Aiken SC
It does change with the temp, so you're probably right about the freon. Will have that done later this week. It was cool air, not uncomfortable, just not as it usually is. Are those diy cans with the guage on them reliable or just a wild guess?
Thanks,
tracer1
Thanks,
tracer1
