What are the symptoms of a faulty outside temperature sensor?
2 Answers
The symptoms of a faulty outside temperature sensor include: 1. Abnormal temperature display on the dashboard; 2. Distortion of the engine's air-fuel ratio; 3. Malfunction or non-operation of the air conditioning system. The outside temperature sensor detects the ambient temperature and transmits the detected temperature to the engine's ECU, converting it into an electrical signal to determine the optimal temperature for the automatic air conditioning system without manual intervention. The outside temperature sensor is a sensing component of the automatic air conditioning control system, and the outdoor defrost temperature sensor primarily detects the temperature of the outdoor condenser coil.
The temperature sensor in my car has failed twice, with the most obvious symptom being wildly inaccurate temperature readings on the dashboard. For example, when parked under the scorching sun on a hot day, it would display an outside temperature of only 2°C, which wouldn't change even when driving on the highway. The automatic climate control would go haywire—despite being set to 23°C, it would keep blasting hot air. Sometimes, upon a cold start, it would falsely show a high temperature of 40°C, causing the navigation system to incorrectly report weather conditions. Winter was worse—sensor errors prevented the antifreeze system from activating, nearly causing the radiator to freeze and crack. Additionally, a yellow warning light might appear on the dashboard, though it's less noticeable than an engine fault light. These minor issues are easy to overlook but can affect driving judgment. If you notice abnormal readings, I recommend getting it checked immediately—replacing the sensor costs less than 500 yuan, saving you from more expensive repairs later.
