outdide temperature way off

[phrawg]

I made another post a week or so back about my outside temp
display being way off (about 20 deg or so low). I looked over all
of the wiring and all seems well. So I took off the cover panel
over the area from the front of the car and the radiator and looked for
a temperature sensor. :confused: I found the ABS control module and
a smaller box on each side. (crash sensors maybe) Then just a bit
to the passengers side from center there is a bracket with 2 small
sensor looking things with 2 wires each. They are maybe the size
of a spark plug with a cone shaped top on them. Are these the
temperature sensor(s) ? why are there 2 of them ? I only see
references to one sensor in my factory manual. Which would be the
sensor for the displayed outside temp ? Should I just unhook them
one at a time and see which makes the displayed temp go whacko ?
I dont think it is wiring since the reading is consistently and very
much stable about 25 degrees low. I think if it was a connector or
wires it would be a lot more eratic. Its like someone just miscalibrated
it and walked away. SO, What think you all ? ( and thanks for the
answers that came this way so far on this ) Phrawg OH, it is a 93 TC

[Newave Dave]

On my 95 the Ambient Air Temp sensor is on the drivers side of the radiator. but, If you would disconnect the sensor it would read real high or low right? that would verify the sensor location anyway.

[no0c]

You have found the right place.

There are indeed 2 sensors there:

1. Ambient Air Temperature Sensor - used by the Electronic Automatic Climate Control. (EATC)

2. Outside Air Temperature Sensor - used by the cluster thermometer

The diagram shows the AATS on the left and the OATS on the right when facing the vehicle, but for positive identification, the

AATS wires are Gray/Red and Light Blue/Orange.

OATS wires are Dark Blue/Yellow and Pink/Orange.

I'm not sure what you are using for a factory manual, but I wouldn't put much trust in it.

Go get the FLM genuine manual and burn a CD and have all the info.

http://www.lincolnsonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53438 (http://www.lincolnsonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53438)

I have posted this many times but no one seems to read, I guess. It's so simple to have all the info you will ever need for your Town Car, right at your fingertips. Might even save some serious bandwidth on the forum as well.

[neterhet]

this is it... the temp sensor...

http://neterhet.dyndns.tv/~studioimac/photobukit/tempsensor.jpg

[larryeddington]

I can find them easy enough. What my 94 is doing is the ambient temperature on the cluster will drop down to 32 to 40 degree when it is 95 outside, and then the actemperature dischareges slightly, warmer. The cluster and ATC do not share the same sensor do they?

Also download of service manual cd is off the air or moved.:(

[no0c]

I can find them easy enough. What my 94 is doing is the ambient temperature on the cluster will drop down to 32 to 40 degree when it is 95 outside, and then the actemperature dischareges slightly, warmer. The cluster and ATC do not share the same sensor do they?

Also download of service manual cd is off the air or moved.:(

No the cluster and EATC do not share the same sensor. That is explained in my 9 March post. (see above)

The service manual is still available as of moments ago.

Try this direct link to it:

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=9OIZNB9T (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=9OIZNB9T)

[cason1]

I am going through the same thing with mine. It will read between 25 and -35 when the actual temp is around 90.

Here is what my 94 factory manual says. Test them with an ohm meter.
The Ambient temp sensor for the EATC should use these specs
Between 50* and 68* outside temp you should see 37k - 58k Ohms of resistance.
Between 68* and 86* you should see 24k - 37k ohms
Between 86* and 104* you should see 16k -24k Ohms.

For cluster ambient temp sensor,
turn ignition to run and wait 30 seconds
disconnect sensor and bracket as one assembly.
measure the resistance at 60* to 70*
Resistance should be between 33k-47k Ohms

If it's not, replace the sensor/bracket assembly.
If it is within spec, manual says to inspect inline connectors and make sure they are tightly engaged. Then it says to check continuity on the DB/Y wire (circuit 233) and then continuity to ground on PK/O wire (circuit 676). If you don't have continuity, fix circuit. If you do, it says to replace the EIC (electronic instrument cluster).

[SignatureSeriesOwner]

Now, see, this is terribly ironic. On my way to Williamsburg today, mineread 73* outside. Dead on. Three hours late,r as I was coming back, I switched it over, and it says -25* :(
It keeps lowering, and is now at -15 degrees. It lowers one degree every so often. Not really a severe concern, but it bugs me. Guess I'll run the test as cason posted when I get a chance and see. No way in hell am I replacing my instrument cluster though.

does anyone know why it would just completely screw up like this? I'm thinking it's the sensor, because it just happened al lof a sudden, and I don't know how I could have knocked any wires loos,e as I was driving.....

Any ideas there? :confused:

[LithiumCobalt]

These temperature sensors give out after a while. I had a 1998 Blazer a few years ago (so not very old) and the temp sensor crapped out on that too. Read either -40* or 120*.

[SignatureSeriesOwner]

Well, I got up this mornign for work, was driving it, and the temp read a normal 76*, and increased as it should as the day passed. The high was 92, and the gauge read thet, but on the way home, It dropped down quickly and read 45 degrees :D It would increase as I drove, but only as high as 49. Expect the same will happen tomorrow. I think I'll just find a sensor in a junkyard and install eventually. Those can last a while too. Plus, if it doesn't work, there is always a 30 day money back guarantee :)

[cason1]

That's the route I'm going to. Junkyard baby!!! It is a temp sensitive resistor. No idea what would cause them to crap out but apparently they do and they all have been talking on here lately and decided to do it together.:rolleyes:

[Chevyguy]

Mine was fine now reads -30 or so. That is likley to mess up the ETAC operation as well as this is an input to to the system.

[bojo68]

that's the route i'm going to. Junkyard baby!!! It is a temp sensitive resistor. No idea what would cause them to crap out but apparently they do and they all have been talking on here lately and decided to do it together.:rolleyes:

it's a resistor conspiracy....:)

[SignatureSeriesOwner]

Mine was fine now reads -30 or so. That is likley to mess up the ETAC operation as well as this is an input to to the system.

No it will not. If you read no0c's prev. post, it says "No the cluster and EATC do not share the same sensor. That is explained in my 9 March post. (see above)"


They do not use the same sensor. My A/C blows as cold when mine said -25, as it did when it said 92.