My ambient air temperature is beginning to go haywire. It has been slow to react or transition for some time now. But recently it just simply doesn't read the temp properly. I cleaned the sensor behind the bumper and that made no difference. I'm contemplating changing the temp sensor, but is there something else that could cause a faulty ambient air temp reading that I'm not aware of? Hope someone can help. Thank you.

 

This is not the Ford Escort forum......

 

Maybe your confused? Do you have any opinion about my post that I submitted about my Civic DCFIVER? If you, or anybody else may, I look forward to your opinion. Again, thank you.

 

Oh,is it a Civic? There is no vehicle information given,so I took a shot in the dark. I thought maybe you had an Escort. Keep it coming with the vehicle info.....

 

I guess I made the assumption that the post was in the Civic category, and that was a given, my mistake I guess. Nonetheless, the car in question is a 2006 Civic EX, and all the other info is correct. Being I used to be a mechanic on over the road trucks, I have at least some mechanical skills. Yes, unequivocally, the temp sensor is reading incorrect at times, and by more than a little. And then at other times it is correct. If your experience with Honda Civics, this is NOT correct, please inform. But, if the system is out of sync, and it is not unusual for this abnormality, also please acknowledge. Obviously, if there is some unreliability in the temps accurate readings from the factory, and that is normal, replacing the sensor probably isn't going to solve the issue. Just trying to avoid chasing my tail on this issue, and I was hoping someone with experience with Honda Civic service knowledge could chime in? Again, hoping you or someone can be of help?

 

Ambient temp sensors don't instantly respond, this is so it does not fluctuate constantly due to radiator/engine heat.
You have to be moving and it will update every so often (minute ish)


This is not the civic section fyi

You can test the sensor by ohming out the sensor with it unplugged

 

Thanks preludeNApower for your response. Do you have the ohms specs for the sensor? I understand about the delay, but mine seems rather ridiculous even when I'm moving. Thanks for your help.
Wasn't aware I was in wrong section here. Thought I was addressing my question in the Civic area. New to the forum.

 

How are you getting the readings from the temp sensor?

 

DCFIVER,
Thanks for your reply. But, frankly a little confused by your question. If you mean how am I getting the temp reading, it is presented via the temp reading gauge on the instrument panel. From what I can tell most Civics have it as a standard feature. I was hoping to get ohms reading spec for the sensor, to see possibly if it is within spec. Maybe you or preludeNApower may have that spec from Honda, so I can test the sensor with my fluke meter? That procedure may help determine if it is a problem. Being this problem has only been recently manifested, I suspect there may be something wrong with the temp system, instead of the system working as it should. My main concern is, replacing the sensor, and it may be some other component that I'm not aware of causing the problem. Can you help DCFIVER? Thank you.

 

You can find the specs in a factory service manual, most are available online as PDFs
Just measure resistance as you apply heat to the sensor and make sure it gradually changes and doesn't act like your temp reads, or become erratic.

Possible causes for intermittent erratic readings;
Sensor
Short in wiring that is intermittent
The module that data runs through (maybe one or more; PCM, cluster, drivers multiplex control unit (fuse box), HVAC)

 

The air temp sensor does not have a gauge display, and it is NOT reflected by the engine temp gauge reading. That is only the result of the engine coolant temp sensor. The 2 sensors are not related,do not perform the same function and are NOT part of the same system.



If you want help,you must clarify the problem...

 

preludeNApower,

Thank you for your reply preludeNApower. I'll see if I can find the specs as you suggested, and run a test also as you suggested. I can see, also as you suggested that there may be other causes for a bad temp reading---the module. But, in my experience as a mechanic, the sensor is usually the most prevalent culprit. As a Honda tech preludeNApower, how often do you find those ambient temp sensors going bad? Again, thank you for help and understanding.

 

Rarely do I ever see a bad sensor...maybe never

 

preludeNApower,
Thanks again for your reply. Not too encouraging news about my temp sensor. But, nonetheless I'll try and test for an ohms test on it anyway.