Hi all

I'm still new here, and I thank everyone for contributions to this forum. I have searched and scoured this site before and since buying my 2008 Limited V6 last week, which I really, really like.

I have searched this question as well, but cannot find the answer:

My readout for "Outside Temperature" is simply: "- -"

In other words, it is blank, except for one moment today when it briefly read: "-22deg F" when it was probably 22 degrees above zero."

Also, when I set the cabin temp to say, 70 degrees, I'm fairly cold, except for one moment today (same moment as above) when it started blasting hot air.
I have researched the internal temperature issue and see it is a common issue, but the external temperature issue confuses me.

For what it is worth, the truck came with an Eclipse AVN 62D installed, and I wonder if its proximity above the heating controller has something to do with this -- unplugged wires, for examples.


Thanks, all for any thoughts here.

It's hard to say what it is now. It can be the control panel itself, wire loose, etc.

Isn't your vehicle still under warranty. Hopefully adding the Eclipse didnt mess up any wiring somehow.

Thanks for the quick response. Yeah warranty is good for 5 more months, but I wonder if the Eclipse messes up my warranty claim. Regardless, it should be easy to slide out the Eclipse to check the connections of wires to the heating control panel. I'm nervous about touching that plastic kit that fills the gap between the Eclipse and the dash -- I'm not sure how to remove those yet and imagine breaking a tab and ending up with a gaping hole in my "new" car. Maybe I'll have some liquid courage this evening... ;)

Thanks again.

The outside temperature sensor is on the vertical support in front of the radiator (behind the grill emblem area.) I would start there. Real easy to get at to check or replace. Search for threads on it because I know there were some.

The automatic climate control works in conjunction with the outside temperature. If it is wrong, your automatic climate will be flaky. You could start with the basics and check if the fuse is still good. If that is ok, trying unplugging the battery and see if the truck resets.

Thanks! This was a good idea and I found the sensor, I believe. Moreover, the wires are pulled from it. I've attached a photo. I could not remove the sensor from the vertical support (with my very cold hands) but wonder if anyone knows how to rewire the contacts through those blue round things that look like seals.

Attached Images

 

I'm no expert but most parts are plug in or snap in. From your pic it appears the sensor might be able to "unsnap" from the white piece attached to the support?? This would at least give you a better look at how the wires attach. I would check mine, but it's about 10 degrees here as well!!

Good Luck!!

Thanks! I'll be back at it today. I tried sliding down off that white clip last night, and spent about 10 minutes on it but could not find a way to remove it. I'll give it a fresh go and see if the device comes apart. One question I would ask for anyone who has the chance to look at theirs is this: can you tell me what order the wires connect?

Mine looks as if the colored wire goes toward the front of the vehicle and the white wire toward the rear. Frankly, it's such a cheapy, wobbly thing that I didn't want to mess with it too much for fear of mine falling apart. I have no idea how to reattach those wires--sorry I couldn't be of more help. Regards, Mike

Thanks, Mike and all.

Here is what I settled on, and I'm going to type out some detail for anyone who searches for this problem in the future. I went to the dealer and bought a new sensor, but it was just the bottom half of the object in the photo I attached. The top half, with the blue rubber circles, is the bracket. It was easy to separate the two halves, but the wires missing from the bracket really meant that the bracket was destroyed. The parts guy at the dealer was unable to locate a new bracket, but he did find two leads, each attached to 4 inches of wire, which he was able to insert into the broken bracket, essentially replacing the metal contacts inside and the washers that were behind them (the blue things). After dinner I will cut the wires and splice the rebuilt bracket onto them, and will hopefully report success. Total cost so far is $42 ($26 for the new sensor and the balance for the two new leads).

It is hard to describe the above so if anyone is ever in a similar jam, PM me.

Steve

Confirmed, it worked. All is fine now. Thanks for the help, guys, and I hope this thread is useful for someone else someday.