How To: Replace 3rd Gen Ambient Air Temperature Sensor

*BigRondo* · 01-30-2011, 03:19 PM

This topic comes up quite a bit, especially in the winter months. I took some pictures today to show someone in another thread where it was located and how to replace it. That led to this write up. I hope this will make short work out of changing the sensor. I got my sensor from the dealer for around $40.00

Be sure to check out my other write ups:

How To: Replace Blend Door Actuator in 3rd Gen Ex

How To: Remove/Replace 3rd Gen Door Panel

How To: Install Signal Mirrors On 3rd Gen Ex

How To: Restore Faded, Yellowing Headlights

How To: Replace Multifunction Switch in 3rd Gen Ex

How To: Paint Rear Pillar Trim

How To: Test a Relay

How To: Remove/Replace 3rd Gen Center Console

Tools/Parts Required

Slotted Screwdriver
Phillips Screwdriver

New Ambient Air Temperature Sensor

NOTE: Some have mentioned that the sensor is on the driver's side. My sensor is on the passenger's side. The replacement should be the same for either side.

1. Remove Grille

1.a. Remove plastic screws.

1.b. Use Phillips screwdriver to remove screws. BE CAREFUL NOT TO BREAK THE SCREWS!

1.c. Remove plastic pins.

1.d. Use slotted screwdriver to remove pins.

1.e. Lift pin up with screwdriver. BE CAREFUL NOT TO BREAK THE PINS!

1.f. Remove screw holders and pin holders. Use slotted screwdriver to pry both screw holders and pin holders up and out.

1.g. Lift grille up and out.

2. Disconnect/Replace Sensor

2.a. View of sensor with grille removed.

2.b. This panel can be removed for better access. I did not need to remove this panel! The red arrows indicate the pins to remove in order to remove this panel.

2.c. Side view of connector tab. The sensor is blurry in this picture but the arrow indicates the connector tab.

2.d. Top view of connector tab. The sensor is hard to see in this picture. If you look down from the top you will see the connector tab.

2.e. Lift the connector tab up and pull sensor in direction of arrows to remove sensor.

2.f. Push new sensor into place. Line up new sensor with the connector and gently push into place. You should hear the connector tab click. Make sure the sensor is fully seated.

3. Replace Grille

3.a. Place bottom of grille in first. Make sure the tabs indicated by the red arrows are lined up properly.

3.b. Push top of grille toward vehicle. Make sure the holes are lined up.

3.c. Insert screw holders and pin holders. Push holders into place.

3.d. Push plastic pins into place. Make sure they are fully seated.

3.e. Use Phillips screwdriver to replace screws. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN OR THE PLASTIC SCREWS WILL BREAK!

4. You Are Finished!

4.a. Enjoy a Cold Beverage of Your Choosing!!!

Thanks for looking in!

forcemac · 02-05-2011, 02:52 PM

Did mine today along with one wheel bearing....i did the temp sensor this morning in the parking lot waiting for the hobby shop to open...it really only takes about 10 min.....although I cussed a bit because the temp was stuck at 50 prior to the replacement...what are chances it would be exactly 50 when I changed it .....it was...didn't know it was fixed until I drove home after the bearing change....

*BigRondo* · 02-05-2011, 04:58 PM

Good deal. Yeah it's a pretty quick fix. In and out!

kdoggy · 02-17-2011, 12:45 AM

Dumb question!

What exactly is this sensor for? Is this the one that tells me how cold it is outside? I was noticing by my tach it says something like ---F, like the sensor is not working.

Can I assume this is the sensor for this?

*BigRondo* · 02-17-2011, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdoggy

Dumb question!

What exactly is this sensor for? Is this the one that tells me how cold it is outside? I was noticing by my tach it says something like ---F, like the sensor is not working.

Can I assume this is the sensor for this?

Yes, that display is for the outside temp. Mine was reading in the 50's when it was in the 20's so I swapped it out and it works perfectly now. It was very cold when I snapped this photo and the readout was spot on:

kdoggy · 02-18-2011, 12:17 PM

Nice! I'll have to fix this. I'm cheap though so I'll have to go hit the junk yard and grab a couple of these sensors lol!

Most of the time they tell me to just "take" these types of items. Free is good.

*Cjpooch* · 02-18-2011, 01:11 PM

Great write up Rondo. Then again all your write ups are. I'll have to bookmark this in case I ever need to replace mine. This should be a sticky if it isn't already.

*BigRondo* · 02-18-2011, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdoggy

Nice! I'll have to fix this. I'm cheap though so I'll have to go hit the junk yard and grab a couple of these sensors lol!

Most of the time they tell me to just "take" these types of items. Free is good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cjpooch

Great write up Rondo. Then again all your write ups are. I'll have to bookmark this in case I ever need to replace mine. This should be a sticky if it isn't already.

Thanks guys!! Just trying to give back to the forum!

jakedrew · 02-19-2011, 08:36 AM

thanks for the write up. Hope I dont have to do it.

*BigRondo* · 02-20-2011, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jakedrew

thanks for the write up. Hope I dont have to do it.

You're welcome.

10 minute job. Not bad at all.

High_Order1 · 08-12-2011, 07:09 PM

Wow! Much better write up than mine. Had I seen this, I wouldn't have bothered!

I will say I'm glad to see I wasn't the only one that this affected, though...

Shawn

*BigRondo* · 08-12-2011, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by High_Order1

Wow! Much better write up than mine. Had I seen this, I wouldn't have bothered!

I will say I'm glad to see I wasn't the only one that this affected, though...

Shawn

You sir are welcome!!

joejv4 · 08-15-2011, 09:07 AM

Really nice writeup - my wife's '05 Explorer is reading 15-20 higher than actual outside temps, and she wants me to fix it. Looks like one that is actually not too bad to do. Thanks for the great writeup and nice job with the accompanying photos. Looks like you've got a nice coat of road salt - gotta be from a northern climate like me (the -16 deg is another clue on that account)

*BigRondo* · 08-15-2011, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joejv4

Really nice writeup - my wife's '05 Explorer is reading 15-20 higher than actual outside temps, and she wants me to fix it. Looks like one that is actually not too bad to do. Thanks for the great writeup and nice job with the accompanying photos. Looks like you've got a nice coat of road salt - gotta be from a northern climate like me (the -16 deg is another clue on that account)

Plenty of salt up here brother!! Good luck with the fix!!

Please keep us posted as feedback helps others reading this post looking for a fix to the same or similar issue!

nickf · 11-01-2011, 11:47 AM

Is the temperature gauge standard on all Explorers???? I dont think i have one on mine.... 2004 XLS.

*BigRondo* · 11-01-2011, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickf

Is the temperature gauge standard on all Explorers???? I dont think i have one on mine.... 2004 XLS.

Welcome aboard!!

I don't believe it is standard. I don't know if it was available on the XLS.

Follow the instructions to locate the sensor. If there is a sensor there, then I would say you have it. Not trying to be a smarta$$.

Hope this helps out.

Please keep us posted as feedback helps others reading this post looking for a fix to the same or similar issue!

High_Order1 · 12-13-2011, 09:57 PM

Well,

the computers use that sensor to determine a few things, so I am betting the odds are good that it is there. If you have a computer display, you have the outdoor temp display. Also, seems like there may have been an overhead console or rear view mirror display, too. If you don't have these, you won't have the display.

Shawn

skysthelymyt · 02-19-2012, 08:30 PM

Can one of these sensors be added to a trim model that does not have this feature?
Is it just the sensor, wires, and the specific instrument cluster for it? Or is there more to it than that?

*BigRondo* · 02-20-2012, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skysthelymyt

Can one of these sensors be added to a trim model that does not have this feature?
Is it just the sensor, wires, and the specific instrument cluster for it? Or is there more to it than that?

Sorry, I have no idea how much would have to exist from the factory in order to make this work. Maybe someone with more knowledge than me will chime in.

Sorry I couldn't be more help.

jpw01 · 02-28-2012, 11:36 AM

Has anyone found any other solution to this improper temp problem, ie cleaning the sensor or cleaning/reseating the contacts at the sensor, etc? Mine just started reading about 10F high for no apparent reason. It actually displays the correct temp upon a cold startup in the AM, but once I start driving and the engine heats up, the display temp climbs 10-12F. I'm sure there is a bit of salt film on it.

Thanks for the info!

02-18-2011, 01:11 PM	#7
Cjpooch Elite Explorer Saginaw, MI 2002 Ford Explorer XLT Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 84 Vehicle Specs	Great write up Rondo. Then again all your write ups are. I'll have to bookmark this in case I ever need to replace mine. This should be a sticky if it isn't already. __________________ Cheers! David 02' Explorer XLT 4.0 SOHC, 114,500 Miles 5R55W Transmission BFG 245/70R16 My (lame) Registry

08-12-2011, 07:09 PM	#11
High_Order1 Wannabe Elite Explorer near Oak Ridge, TN Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 488 Vehicle Specs	Wow! Much better write up than mine. Had I seen this, I wouldn't have bothered! I will say I'm glad to see I wasn't the only one that this affected, though... Shawn __________________ ____________________________________________ Shawn Hughes About me / where I've tried to help out here (my back door sticky list) Please don't PM me. I don't check them enough. Email me if you'd like a response!

12-13-2011, 09:57 PM	#17
High_Order1 Wannabe Elite Explorer near Oak Ridge, TN Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 488 Vehicle Specs	Well, the computers use that sensor to determine a few things, so I am betting the odds are good that it is there. If you have a computer display, you have the outdoor temp display. Also, seems like there may have been an overhead console or rear view mirror display, too. If you don't have these, you won't have the display. Shawn __________________ ____________________________________________ Shawn Hughes About me / where I've tried to help out here (my back door sticky list) Please don't PM me. I don't check them enough. Email me if you'd like a response!

02-19-2012, 08:30 PM	#18
skysthelymyt Wannabe Elite Explorer Florence, SC 2003 Explorer Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 124 Vehicle Specs	Can one of these sensors be added to a trim model that does not have this feature? Is it just the sensor, wires, and the specific instrument cluster for it? Or is there more to it than that? __________________ 2003 Explorer 4.0 Volant CAI Volt HID headlights/DDM Tuning HID fogs BTF (2/1.5) spacers Underdrive pulley Spartan Locker

02-05-2011, 02:52 PM	#2
forcemac Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 27 Vehicle Specs	Did mine today along with one wheel bearing....i did the temp sensor this morning in the parking lot waiting for the hobby shop to open...it really only takes about 10 min.....although I cussed a bit because the temp was stuck at 50 prior to the replacement...what are chances it would be exactly 50 when I changed it .....it was...didn't know it was fixed until I drove home after the bearing change....

02-17-2011, 12:45 AM	#4
kdoggy Wannabe Elite Explorer Grand Rapids, MI 2002 Explorer XLT 4x4 Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 88 Vehicle Specs	Dumb question! What exactly is this sensor for? Is this the one that tells me how cold it is outside? I was noticing by my tach it says something like ---F, like the sensor is not working. Can I assume this is the sensor for this?

02-18-2011, 12:17 PM	#6
kdoggy Wannabe Elite Explorer Grand Rapids, MI 2002 Explorer XLT 4x4 Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 88 Vehicle Specs	Nice! I'll have to fix this. I'm cheap though so I'll have to go hit the junk yard and grab a couple of these sensors lol! Most of the time they tell me to just "take" these types of items. Free is good.

02-19-2011, 08:36 AM	#9
jakedrew Wannabe Elite Explorer wisconsin 04 xlt Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 512 Vehicle Specs	thanks for the write up. Hope I dont have to do it.

08-15-2011, 09:07 AM	#13
joejv4 Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 9 Vehicle Specs	Really nice writeup - my wife's '05 Explorer is reading 15-20 higher than actual outside temps, and she wants me to fix it. Looks like one that is actually not too bad to do. Thanks for the great writeup and nice job with the accompanying photos. Looks like you've got a nice coat of road salt - gotta be from a northern climate like me (the -16 deg is another clue on that account)

11-01-2011, 11:47 AM	#15
nickf Wannabe Elite Explorer 2004 Explorer XLS Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 1 Vehicle Specs	Is the temperature gauge standard on all Explorers???? I dont think i have one on mine.... 2004 XLS.

02-28-2012, 11:36 AM	#20
jpw01 Wannabe Elite Explorer MN 02 Ltd. V8 Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 5 Vehicle Specs	Has anyone found any other solution to this improper temp problem, ie cleaning the sensor or cleaning/reseating the contacts at the sensor, etc? Mine just started reading about 10F high for no apparent reason. It actually displays the correct temp upon a cold startup in the AM, but once I start driving and the engine heats up, the display temp climbs 10-12F. I'm sure there is a bit of salt film on it. Thanks for the info!