Outside temp

[BigJoe$]

Hey guys, any ideas on how to fix the outside temp sensor on my VF SV6 (MY15).

Temp is showing outside temp up to -40°

 

[Forg]

Knowing absolutely nothings about that system, my guess would be something like a disconnected wire or plug?

 

[Paul Smedley]

Agree. All I remember is that the OAT (outside Ambient Temperature) sensor is somewhere on the front end module...

 

[07GTS]

yep usually when those sensors are unplugged or open circuit (failed) they read default min value which can be the -40

 

[Skylarking]

IIRC it’s been stated within the forum that -40 (either C or F as it’s the same at that cold temp) is the default temp when the sensor or cabling isn’t working on our VF’s

But it also seems that in the GM world, the ambient air temp behaves oddly as it’s measured under specific conditions which may lead to odd HVAC performance. This may or may not be the case within our Holden VF’s

However the following doc is interesting so I’ve linked it

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2017/MC-10123216-9999.pdf

and copied below in case it goes missing.

PIT5232D Diagnostic Tip - Outside Temperature Will Not Update / Inaccurate / Poor Hvac Performance

(Brand: Model: Model Years:

Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet & GMC
Envision, Escalade, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe
Sierra 1500 Sierra

vehicles ranging from 2015 - 2018)

Supersession Statement
This PI was superseded to update the Model Year, Condition, Recommendation and Warranty sections. Please discard PIT5232C.

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

Condition / Concern
Some owners may comment of any of the following issues:
- The outside temperature display is inaccurate and will not update.
- The outside temperature display takes too long to update.
- The outside temperature display shows 32° F (0° C). This concern may have started after disconnecting the battery or reprogramming a module.
- Poor HVAC performance

Note: The HVAC control module uses the ambient temperature as an input to help control the a/c compressor operation, HVAC temperature door settings, etc.

Recommendations / Instructions
Do NOT replace or reprogram any of the following modules as it will not correct the concern: - IPC
- Radio Display/ICS
- Radio/Tuner
- HMI
- HVAC control module - ECM

Please make sure the customer is aware of the following information regarding how the outside temperature updates:

The ambient temperature uses an algorithm that delays updating the display until certain conditions are met. This ensures that the sensor does not detect engine or road heat when the vehicle is idling/slow speed driving.

The outside temperature will begin to update if driven above 20 mph for at least 5 minutes. If the vehicle speed drops below 20 mph, the timer will reset back to 5 minutes and/or stop updating. Once the display starts to update, it may take several more minutes of driving above 20 mph for the display to fully update. Additionally, if the vehicle sits for at least 8 hours, the display will be updated when the ignition is turned on.

Short trip driving habits along with large outside temperature swings between the ambient temperature in the morning as compared to later in the day/afternoon, like in the spring and fall seasons, can aggravate this concern. The morning temperatures can be very cold (example 30 degs F) and later in the day/afternoon the outside temperature can be much higher (example 70 degs F). In this example, if the vehicle was started in the morning, with an outside temperature of 30 degs F and then later in the day the vehicle was restarted when the outside temperature is much higher example 70 degs F, it may need the above drive cycle for the outside temperature display to update and improve HVAC performance.

Also, remember anything attached or mounted to the front of the vehicle, such as, snow plow, winter grille cover, etc. can restrict air flow to the outside temperature sensor and affect the accuracy of the sensor.

Warranty Information
This PI does not provide any repair direction, but if a concern is found and a repair is made please use the appropriate labor operation. Below are a couple examples of labor operations used for ambient temperature sensor issues.

Labor Operation Description
3432010 Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Replacement
5430902 Wire-to-Wire Repair
4429959 HVAC - Customer Concern Not Duplicated (CCND)

Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.

Don't currently have access to the VF workshop manual so not sure what it says for our commodores.

Either way, -40 ain’t correct so check your wiring and the sensor resistance

[Edited below]

Checked the PDF of the VF workshop manual but the HVAC section doesn't mention anything about the )outside) ambient air temperature sensor and searching the PDF for "ambient" or "tempreature sensor" doesn't find anything relevant ... Maybe the on-line manual would have more details

 

[lmoengnr]

Sensor failed.

 

[wetwork65]

IIRC it’s been stated within the forum that -40 (either C or F as it’s the same at that cold temp) is the default temp when the sensor or cabling isn’t working on our VF’s

But it also seems that in the GM world, the ambient air temp behaves oddly as it’s measured under specific conditions which may lead to odd HVAC performance. This may or may not be the case within our Holden VF’s

However the following doc is interesting so I’ve linked it

http://[URL][URL][URL]https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2017/MC-10123216-9999.pdf

[/URL][/URL][/URL]

and copied below in case it goes missing.

PIT5232D Diagnostic Tip - Outside Temperature Will Not Update / Inaccurate / Poor Hvac Performance

(Brand: Model: Model Years:

Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet & GMC
Envision, Escalade, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe
Sierra 1500 Sierra

vehicles ranging from 2015 - 2018)

Supersession Statement
This PI was superseded to update the Model Year, Condition, Recommendation and Warranty sections. Please discard PIT5232C.

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

Condition / Concern
Some owners may comment of any of the following issues:
- The outside temperature display is inaccurate and will not update.
- The outside temperature display takes too long to update.
- The outside temperature display shows 32° F (0° C). This concern may have started after disconnecting the battery or reprogramming a module.
- Poor HVAC performance

Note: The HVAC control module uses the ambient temperature as an input to help control the a/c compressor operation, HVAC temperature door settings, etc.

Recommendations / Instructions
Do NOT replace or reprogram any of the following modules as it will not correct the concern: - IPC
- Radio Display/ICS
- Radio/Tuner
- HMI
- HVAC control module - ECM

Please make sure the customer is aware of the following information regarding how the outside temperature updates:

The ambient temperature uses an algorithm that delays updating the display until certain conditions are met. This ensures that the sensor does not detect engine or road heat when the vehicle is idling/slow speed driving.

The outside temperature will begin to update if driven above 20 mph for at least 5 minutes. If the vehicle speed drops below 20 mph, the timer will reset back to 5 minutes and/or stop updating. Once the display starts to update, it may take several more minutes of driving above 20 mph for the display to fully update. Additionally, if the vehicle sits for at least 8 hours, the display will be updated when the ignition is turned on.

Short trip driving habits along with large outside temperature swings between the ambient temperature in the morning as compared to later in the day/afternoon, like in the spring and fall seasons, can aggravate this concern. The morning temperatures can be very cold (example 30 degs F) and later in the day/afternoon the outside temperature can be much higher (example 70 degs F). In this example, if the vehicle was started in the morning, with an outside temperature of 30 degs F and then later in the day the vehicle was restarted when the outside temperature is much higher example 70 degs F, it may need the above drive cycle for the outside temperature display to update and improve HVAC performance.

Also, remember anything attached or mounted to the front of the vehicle, such as, snow plow, winter grille cover, etc. can restrict air flow to the outside temperature sensor and affect the accuracy of the sensor.

Warranty Information
This PI does not provide any repair direction, but if a concern is found and a repair is made please use the appropriate labor operation. Below are a couple examples of labor operations used for ambient temperature sensor issues.

Labor Operation Description
3432010 Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Replacement
5430902 Wire-to-Wire Repair
4429959 HVAC - Customer Concern Not Duplicated (CCND)

Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.

Don't currently have access to the VF workshop manual so not sure what it says for our commodores.

Either way, -40 ain’t correct so check your wiring and the sensor resistance

Excellent information - explains why there is such a delay in the temperature.
I "fixed" my ambient temp that always displayed 22 C when I removed and reinstalled a different Mylink head unit.
This case though looks like an open circuit.

 

[BigJoe$]

IIRC it’s been stated within the forum that -40 (either C or F as it’s the same at that cold temp) is the default temp when the sensor or cabling isn’t working on our VF’s

But it also seems that in the GM world, the ambient air temp behaves oddly as it’s measured under specific conditions which may lead to odd HVAC performance. This may or may not be the case within our Holden VF’s

However the following doc is interesting so I’ve linked it

http://[URL]https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2017/MC-10123216-9999.pdf

[/URL]

and copied below in case it goes missing.

PIT5232D Diagnostic Tip - Outside Temperature Will Not Update / Inaccurate / Poor Hvac Performance

(Brand: Model: Model Years:

Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet & GMC
Envision, Escalade, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe
Sierra 1500 Sierra

vehicles ranging from 2015 - 2018)

Supersession Statement
This PI was superseded to update the Model Year, Condition, Recommendation and Warranty sections. Please discard PIT5232C.

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

Condition / Concern
Some owners may comment of any of the following issues:
- The outside temperature display is inaccurate and will not update.
- The outside temperature display takes too long to update.
- The outside temperature display shows 32° F (0° C). This concern may have started after disconnecting the battery or reprogramming a module.
- Poor HVAC performance

Note: The HVAC control module uses the ambient temperature as an input to help control the a/c compressor operation, HVAC temperature door settings, etc.

Recommendations / Instructions
Do NOT replace or reprogram any of the following modules as it will not correct the concern: - IPC
- Radio Display/ICS
- Radio/Tuner
- HMI
- HVAC control module - ECM

Please make sure the customer is aware of the following information regarding how the outside temperature updates:

The ambient temperature uses an algorithm that delays updating the display until certain conditions are met. This ensures that the sensor does not detect engine or road heat when the vehicle is idling/slow speed driving.

The outside temperature will begin to update if driven above 20 mph for at least 5 minutes. If the vehicle speed drops below 20 mph, the timer will reset back to 5 minutes and/or stop updating. Once the display starts to update, it may take several more minutes of driving above 20 mph for the display to fully update. Additionally, if the vehicle sits for at least 8 hours, the display will be updated when the ignition is turned on.

Short trip driving habits along with large outside temperature swings between the ambient temperature in the morning as compared to later in the day/afternoon, like in the spring and fall seasons, can aggravate this concern. The morning temperatures can be very cold (example 30 degs F) and later in the day/afternoon the outside temperature can be much higher (example 70 degs F). In this example, if the vehicle was started in the morning, with an outside temperature of 30 degs F and then later in the day the vehicle was restarted when the outside temperature is much higher example 70 degs F, it may need the above drive cycle for the outside temperature display to update and improve HVAC performance.

Also, remember anything attached or mounted to the front of the vehicle, such as, snow plow, winter grille cover, etc. can restrict air flow to the outside temperature sensor and affect the accuracy of the sensor.

Warranty Information
This PI does not provide any repair direction, but if a concern is found and a repair is made please use the appropriate labor operation. Below are a couple examples of labor operations used for ambient temperature sensor issues.

Labor Operation Description
3432010 Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Replacement
5430902 Wire-to-Wire Repair
4429959 HVAC - Customer Concern Not Duplicated (CCND)

Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.

Don't currently have access to the VF workshop manual so not sure what it says for our commodores.

Either way, -40 ain’t correct so check your wiring and the sensor resistance

This is great! Thanks appreciate all your info here!

 

[MaxCommie689]

Do let us know how you end up fixing the issue. It might help someone in the future.

 

[wetwork65]

May be worth trying this ambient sensor out for $27 delivered and genuine?
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/185037051683
Looks like the front bar must come off to change it out.

But I would check all of the wires are still connected properly first. (low cost solution).