Ambient temp sensor problem?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 660
Likes: 52
Ambient temp sensor problem?
Every now and then my outside temps would read a little strange. Ten degrees or more then what the outside temps should be. It might stay that way for 20 minutes of driving then go back to normal. Yesterday I disconnected the battery to do the F1 paddle shift update. Reconnected the battery today and went for a test ride. All was well for about 10 minutes when the temp reading plummeted to 32 degrees and turning the AC off and putting the heat on when it was 87 out. Came home disconnected the battery for a half hour , reconnected the battery, went for another test ride and all was fine. About 15 minutes in right when I was pulling into my driveway the outside temp dropped like a rock down to -35. Anybody have this problem as I'm thinking my ambient temp sensor is shot? They're cheap enough for me to stop by the dealer tomorrow to see if they have any in stock. Base 09 C6, LT3
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 660
Likes: 52
Well the problem was the ambient sensor although when I bench tested it worked however I suspect something might be loose inside so a slight bump might have made it go crazy. Installed a new one and my climate control works perfect and the outside temp indication is right on something it really never was before. That temp sensor really controls how your AC and heat work. If you notice your AC not working look at what your ambient outside temp is reading. If its reading too low and you know the outside temp is higher it won't let your AC come on and if its too low it'll turn the heat on. Opposite would be true too, if its reading too high it won't let the heat come on.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,655
Likes: 271
From: Cape Canaveral Florida
St. Jude Donor '07 thru '26
NCM Lifetime Member
I recently had a similar issue with the a/c acting erratically.
In my case, it turned out it was my interior sensor that was the issue. The interior sensor has a small fan in it that blows air across the thermistor ... which means a great deal of dust accumulates around the sensor. If anybody is having issues, I would suggest checking it and using some canned air to clean it out. Since I live in Florida, the dust attracted moisture which corroded the thermistor so I had to replace the sensor ($50) but everything works perfectly now.
Lesson appears to be to check both of the temperature sensors if you are having issues ....
In my case, it turned out it was my interior sensor that was the issue. The interior sensor has a small fan in it that blows air across the thermistor ... which means a great deal of dust accumulates around the sensor. If anybody is having issues, I would suggest checking it and using some canned air to clean it out. Since I live in Florida, the dust attracted moisture which corroded the thermistor so I had to replace the sensor ($50) but everything works perfectly now.
Lesson appears to be to check both of the temperature sensors if you are having issues ....
Racer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 336
Likes: 115
Well the problem was the ambient sensor although when I bench tested it worked however I suspect something might be loose inside so a slight bump might have made it go crazy. Installed a new one and my climate control works perfect and the outside temp indication is right on something it really never was before. That temp sensor really controls how your AC and heat work. If you notice your AC not working look at what your ambient outside temp is reading. If its reading too low and you know the outside temp is higher it won't let your AC come on and if its too low it'll turn the heat on. Opposite would be true too, if its reading too high it won't let the heat come on.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 660
Likes: 52
In the engine compartment, passenger side down at the lower section in front of the fan shroud. The one end of it sticks out in front of the radiator. Parts guy at the Chevy dealership said sometimes the probe part gets bugs all over it that causes problems too. They're about 15 bucks, easy replacement.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 660
Likes: 52
