Exterior temperature sensor problem
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Race Director
Joined: May 2001
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From: Guelph, Ontario
Exterior temperature sensor problem
Yesterday morning when I drove my C5, it was between 32-35F outside but my exterior temperature gauge was reading as high as 58F! Has the sensor gone completely mad on me, or is it something that sometimes might read wrong for a short time but then correct itself? (perhaps the sensor is dirty?)
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it due to the location of the sensor....mine is never right...close maybe but never right....
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
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From: Guelph, Ontario
Originally Posted by pewter99
it due to the location of the sensor....mine is never right...close maybe but never right....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: One Hour From Boston!
Do you garage it? Was it in the garage prior? My garage keeps her warm, then after taking her outside, the guage slowly reads the outside temperature and adjusts however it takes a few minutes...
Thread Starter
Race Director
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From: Guelph, Ontario
Originally Posted by BIG Dave
Do you garage it? Was it in the garage prior? My garage keeps her warm, then after taking her outside, the guage slowly reads the outside temperature and adjusts however it takes a few minutes...
The car was left outside overnight, and when I first started it up, the temperature read 42F. As I drove it more, the temperature kept going up. After about 30min of driving that is when it said 58F, then it slowly came down to about 48F. But I know from the weather reports (and the fact that it was snowing lightly) that the temperature was between 32-35F during the time I drove the car.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Suffolk Viginia
The outside air temperature sensor is located in the front grill area under the front bumper of the vehicle. The HVAC control head uses this sensor to receive information on ambient air temperature. With this information, the HVAC control head will give the driver the outside air temperature on the digital display. If the outside temperature increases, the displayed temperature will not change until:
-The vehicle's speed is above 32 km/h (20 mph) for approximately one and a half minutes.
-The vehicle's speed is above 72 km/h (45 mph) for approximately on minute.
These delays help prevent false readings. If the displayed temperature goes down, the outside temperature display is updated immediately. If the vehicle has been turned off for more than three hours, the current outside temperature will be shown when the vehicle is started. If it has been turned off for less than three hours, the temperature will be recalled from the previous vehicle operation.
-The vehicle's speed is above 32 km/h (20 mph) for approximately one and a half minutes.
-The vehicle's speed is above 72 km/h (45 mph) for approximately on minute.
These delays help prevent false readings. If the displayed temperature goes down, the outside temperature display is updated immediately. If the vehicle has been turned off for more than three hours, the current outside temperature will be shown when the vehicle is started. If it has been turned off for less than three hours, the temperature will be recalled from the previous vehicle operation.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: queensbury ny
temp sensor
when i had my caddy,the same thing happened.all i had to do was buy a new sensor thing to go in the front bumper.it's not expensive and took me,a totally against manual labor,no experience mechanically kind of guy,about 7 minutes to replace!you'll need a screwdriver!
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Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
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From: Guelph, Ontario
Originally Posted by Roofless
Try cleaning it, all it amounts to is just cleaning the contacts and the plug and sticking it back in, not a big deal.
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
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From: Southern NH
If I recall correctly, 58F is also the temp the system defaults to if the external temp sensor is disconnected (open circuit).
This is a common problem with the sensor connector getting corroded and resulting in erroneous readings. Insect the connector ends on both the sensor and the cable, and if necessary just replace the sensor. It's relatively cheap (~$10).
If you look under the nose of the car, you'll see the end of the sensor sticking out on the passenger side of the radiator cavity just forward of the air dam. To reach it, you can go from the bottom (need to remove the panel) or raise the headlight with the hood open and you should be able to reach it through the gap between the inboard side of the passenger headlight and the hood.
This is a common problem with the sensor connector getting corroded and resulting in erroneous readings. Insect the connector ends on both the sensor and the cable, and if necessary just replace the sensor. It's relatively cheap (~$10).
If you look under the nose of the car, you'll see the end of the sensor sticking out on the passenger side of the radiator cavity just forward of the air dam. To reach it, you can go from the bottom (need to remove the panel) or raise the headlight with the hood open and you should be able to reach it through the gap between the inboard side of the passenger headlight and the hood.
Last edited by JC in XTC5; Dec 13, 2004 at 12:57 PM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
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From: Guelph, Ontario
Originally Posted by JC in XTC5
If I recall correctly, 58F is also the temp the system defaults to if the external temp sensor is disconnected (open circuit).
This morning the temperature was reading much closer to normal, perhaps 4-5F higher.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
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From: Guelph, Ontario
I just thought I would update everyone here. The problem corrected itself. Now when the radio station reports the current temperature, it's the same as what the sensor tells me. Excellent! I find it very important now that winter is here, since it's nice to know if it's close to or below the freezing mark, so I know the roads might be icy in some sections.
