Ambient temperature sensor problems

[aceventura]

My ambient temperature sensor for my climate control is not working properly (sometimes reads 36 C, when the temperature is closer to 28 C). A few questions:

1) Where exactly is it located, I have read that it is next to the radiator somewhere, which side?

2) Can you still buy them new, or is it a wreckers job?

3) The sensor behaving strangly coincided with the installation of my CAI. It is probably unrelated, but I was wondering if the sensor is positioned such that the old snout drew air over the sensor, preventing the readings being biased by heat from the engine?

4) How does the sensor affect the climate control? I guess that it cools the incoming air too much, and then the air is reheated once it enters the cabin.

 

[DannyboyDS]

I think it is mounted on the gas/surge tank thingo on the front of the condenser, so thats right up the very front and easy to get to.

 

[Harvs82]

My ambient temperature sensor for my climate control is not working properly (sometimes reads 36 C, when the temperature is closer to 28 C). A few questions:

1) Where exactly is it located, I have read that it is next to the radiator somewhere, which side?

2) Can you still buy them new, or is it a wreckers job?

3) The sensor behaving strangly coincided with the installation of my CAI. It is probably unrelated, but I was wondering if the sensor is positioned such that the old snout drew air over the sensor, preventing the readings being biased by heat from the engine?

4) How does the sensor affect the climate control? I guess that it cools the incoming air too much, and then the air is reheated once it enters the cabin.

The sensor is located in front of the radiator, from memory I think its on the driver's side, its a little black cylindrical shaped object with wiring and a plug attached to it. If you have blocked or damaged it in some way with the installation of your CAI that could have something to do with it. I'd imagine that you could still get a new one from GMH spare parts, as they would have been using them up until 1999 or even 2000 with the VS Series III Statesmans etc.

The sensor is an integral part of the climate control system, as the system uses it to gauge how to heat or cool the cabin in addition with several other sensors. If the sensor is giving an incorrect reading, you will get poor performance either heating or cooling, depending on which way the sensor is reading. For example, if its 35 deg C outside, and your sensor says its 22 deg C, and you have your climate set to 23 deg C, the system will barely use any A/C to help cool the car etc

 

[aceventura]

Thanks for the info, I'll look into it.

 

[aceventura]

Ok, I pulled out a part and now the CC module is reading -30 degrees, so I am sure I have the right part. Mine isn't cylindrical, it's rectangular, but it is mounted close to the condensor.

The resistance reading seems stable 1.9 kOhms @ ~24 degrees. I might go and plug it in again later. The problem seems to be as the car is running for a while it seems to read erroneously high. I'm stumped! Might do a bit more research. I don't really want to fork out $$ for another sensor if this one is ok.

I might go to DSE and buy some resistors and calibrate the CC module? Might give some idea of what the resistance of the sensor should be at a given temperature. Anyway, if I resolve the problem, I'll post again.