Exterior temp acting wierd

[STCamaro69]

I have an '04 Eddie Bauer w/climate control...The problem I am having is when I first start the truck the Exterior temp reads the same as when the last time I shut it off. It will stay there until I get moving down the road, then it will slowly go to the actual temp. For example, today, I started the truck, it read 52 degrees, stayed there until i got a half mile down the road, then climbed up to 88! I don't get it. The truck has to move to read the correct temp? Even with that big of a temp. swing?? :scratch: Anyone else experience this? Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

 

[BigRondo]

I replaced the temp sensor on my 02 XLT. It was really simple. The temp sensor was located on the passenger's side behind the grill. Just take the grill off for easy access. Try doing a search for temp sensor, that's how I found out how to replace it. It cost me about $40 at the dealer.

 

[STCamaro69]

Thanks BigRondo! I will look into this.

 

[blackout881]

thats funny i just bought an '04 a month or so ago, and noticed my temp does the same thing. Doesnt worry me too much right now, as in about 2 mins of driving the temp goes to normal. Beats my '98 which always read -40 degrees even on a hot summer day lol.

 

[BigRondo]

thats funny i just bought an '04 a month or so ago, and noticed my temp does the same thing. Doesnt worry me too much right now, as in about 2 mins of driving the temp goes to normal. Beats my '98 which always read -40 degrees even on a hot summer day lol.

Yeah, the vehicle needs to be moving to get an accurate reading. If you are idling then the heat reflecting from the pavement and engine compartment can skew the reading.

 

[STCamaro69]

I understand what you're saying, BigRondo, but the only thing is that when you first start up, it could read a low temp until you go a few minutes down the road and then it could go up alot to reach real temperature. Kind of opposite from the scenario you portrayed. Do you still think it could be the sensor?

 

[BigRondo]

Hard to say. It could be the sensor. I know mine was reading like 58 when it was in the 30's so I replaced it. I am also having problems with the display. Sometimes it reads the temp that it was when I shut it off and doesn't change but when this happens the tripometer and compass don't change either. I think I have the common problem with the cold solder joint on one of the resistors. That is something I have to look into.