Outside (ambient) Air Temp Sensor Question

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Aug 1, 2004 | 05:19 PM

Hrdtop00

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Feb 2001

Posts: 2,156

Likes: 12

From: Farnham Virginia

Outside (ambient) Air Temp Sensor Question

Took the car out for a spin today. The outside temperature was in the low 80s but my external temp reading in the car was only showing 65 degrees! It did go up to 81 for a few minutes but then back down to 65. I checked for DTC codes but there were none. Anyone had this experience with their outside air sensor?

What's the cost of a replacement sensor?

Thanks.

Aug 1, 2004 | 05:26 PM

0vetteshop

Former Vendor

Joined: Apr 2001

Posts: 10,976

Likes: 21

From: FL

St. Jude Donor '13

The outside ambiant temp sensor is under $15

Aug 1, 2004 | 05:30 PM

RocketSled_Z06

8th Gear

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 8

Likes: 0

From: Worcester MA

I think you're looking at the A/C temp setting, not the outside air temp. A bad sensor would be unlikely to read 65Âº, that's neither the minimum or maximum. A failed sensor would most likely go open circuit or dead short or fluctuate wildly. Try putting the A/C on "AUTO" and see if it shows the higher temperature.

Aug 1, 2004 | 05:54 PM

Hrdtop00

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Feb 2001

Posts: 2,156

Likes: 12

From: Farnham Virginia

I was in auto and the inside temp was set to 72 degrees. Outside reading was 65 with the exception of reading 81 degrees for a few minutes. I agree that sensors are normally open, dead short, or fluctuating widely. That's why this is puzzling! I had a response in C5 general where a member with a 99 was also experiencing the same.

Aug 1, 2004 | 05:59 PM

RCK1999

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 1,119

Likes: 0

From: Spring Branch Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hrdtop00

The temp readout on the A/C will indicate EXT for exterior. My outside ambient air sensor went bad and gave a steady low reading. Its a REAL easy fix. Pop the old one out and pop the new one in. The part from the dealer is about $8. You can find them on the internet for as low as $4, but you pay twice that for shipping. The only problem lots of folks have is finding the sensor. Its way down by the radiator shroud on the passanger side. You can reach it from up top. A suggestion to help you locate the sensor: lay down at the front of the car and look up into the radiator scoop on the passenger side. You will see the little tip of the sensor sticking through the shroud. Now that you know where it is, reach down from under the hood to disconnect.

PS - A bad temp sensor will not throw a code.

PPS - This will be the cheapest "do-it-yourself" repair that you ever make on your vette. Enjoy!