Changing Outside Temp from F to C On Display

[mkp]

Hmmmmm, something still is fishy here. To recap my story my 99 T4R has been reading happily in C from 1999 until summer 2006. Upon getting my windshield replaced it (it was about the same time, although wife's vehicle so a bit unsure) the display switched to F (outside temp and interior climate control). The F value it reads is correct as well.

I was told by the dealer the same thing that US models only read in F and Canadian models only in C and it is physically impossible for them to do both. Well, not that I enjoy being a paradox but the fact remains that my display unit works in both C and F, no cluster or equipment changes required, just not sure how it is changed or how to get it back?

I still intend to take the unit out this summer (the back lights have now gone too). Between my Electrical Engineering background and my Dad the electronic technologist we will whip the damm thing into submission.

In the meantime if anybody finds out anything else, let us know. Thanks.

Regards,

Mike

 

[mkp]

Another bit of information, even though the climate display is in F, the odometer is still in kilometers. Interesting if it is all done in the same chip. Seems like the 99's must be different.

 

[j0mama]

Hmmmmm, something still is fishy here. To recap my story my 99 T4R has been reading happily in C from 1999 until summer 2006. Upon getting my windshield replaced it (it was about the same time, although wife's vehicle so a bit unsure) the display switched to F (outside temp and interior climate control). The F value it reads is correct as well.

I was told by the dealer the same thing that US models only read in F and Canadian models only in C and it is physically impossible for them to do both. Well, not that I enjoy being a paradox but the fact remains that my display unit works in both C and F, no cluster or equipment changes required, just not sure how it is changed or how to get it back?

Im still not convinced there is not a software way of changing the setting also, I just know you can do it directly at the eprom.. There still might be away doing it at the cluster level, or in fact doing it thru a sequence. I cannot find any other way then that.

j0.

 

[mkp]

Update on my C to F problem, it was very hot in Edmonton over the past week and on the hottest day while driving to work I noticed the display had changed back to Celcius. Amazing. Then with the air conditioning on for a while I saw it change back to F.

Over the next two days I saw it change four times. I think this is good news as there probably is a loose connection (DIP switch, jumper, etc) that only makes contact when things expand when it is hot.

Unfortunately I don't have the time right now to take the dash apart and get at it but it proves that the same HVAC/dash cluster unit can display F or C and there should be a way to toggle it. BTW it's a 1999 LTD Canadian model.

Mike

 

[boris4runner]

No solution?

 

[mkp]

No update, I landscaped the entire yard this summer, and did not get a chance to pull the climate control unit out. The display is still stuck in F. As it snowed on the weekend it won't be until next year that I can be without interior heat. Sorry I can't provide any details on the fix.

Mike

 

[mallarios]

Hi all!

I have decided to join this forum because I have a similar problem. My '03 4runner has decided to display kms and celsius all the sudden. I live in the US and I bougth the SUV here, and I did not do anything at all to create that change. I just took it to the dealer and they told me that they don't know what to do!!! I cannot believe it!!!

If anybody finds out the way to change it back to miles/Farenheit, please let me know...

 

[Uneek]

Hi all!

I have decided to join this forum because I have a similar problem. My '03 4runner has decided to display kms and celsius all the sudden. I live in the US and I bougth the SUV here, and I did not do anything at all to create that change. I just took it to the dealer and they told me that they don't know what to do!!! I cannot believe it!!!

If anybody finds out the way to change it back to miles/Farenheit, please let me know...

Not sure if it's a fix, but maybe swap your climate control display with a Canadian member. Apparently, theirs are set to display the temp in F and not C.

 

[Canuckcarguy]

No update, I landscaped the entire yard this summer, and did not get a chance to pull the climate control unit out. The display is still stuck in F. As it snowed on the weekend it won't be until next year that I can be without interior heat. Sorry I can't provide any details on the fix.

Mike

Hi, Mike. Nice to know there's another Edmontonian on here. Go Oilers go!!

Did you ever manage to figure this out? I just bought a 2008 4runner (US Import), and figured there must be a way to change the temperature readings from imperial to metric.

 

[Shimajilosan]

<snip>....Did you ever manage to figure this out? I just bought a 2008 4runner (US Import), and figured there must be a way to change the temperature readings from imperial to metric.

Eh there. No, never did. I was certain there was a way to do it too, but none of us could ever find it. As far as I understand at this time, it is the sensor hardware that determines what your display is, not a computer optoin or display setting.

Someone out there prove me wrong please :bash:

 

[Pribilof]

There must be some way to switch it, however nobody on this site or any other has ever figured out what it is. Also, any dealerships you ask are simply dumbfounded at the question.

My display suddenly switched from F to C. I could not figure out how to get it back so I just dealt with it for over a year. About a month ago I was doing some electrical work on my truck and had the battery disconnected for about two days. When I hooked it back up the display was back on F.

 

[theizzardking]

For whatever it is worth-- we live in Canada and my husband has a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica (which he really loves).

One of his car's greatest assets is that you can convert the digital odometer/temperature readouts from miles to kilometers and fahrenheit to celsius at the touch of a button. (The speedometer is also automatically adjusted!) We do a lot of travelling in the U.S. and it really is quite helpful.

That would be one feature Toyota could add to the 4Runner that would be appreciated by all of us who frequently drive back and forth across the Canadian/U.S. border!

that's worth nothing.....:bash:

 

[Ryan1975]

There must be some way to switch it, however nobody on this site or any other has ever figured out what it is. Also, any dealerships you ask are simply dumbfounded at the question.

My display suddenly switched from F to C. I could not figure out how to get it back so I just dealt with it for over a year. About a month ago I was doing some electrical work on my truck and had the battery disconnected for about two days. When I hooked it back up the display was back on F.

Hi -

I know this is 2010 (almost 2011!!) and I know this is very nearly a 4yr old thread but I thought that I would add to the confusion.

- 2008 Toyota 4Runner V8 Sport Model (Important to note: Not Limited)
- 42,000 miles: Owned for 2yrs, 1mo (Out of warranty)
- Bought in Syracuse, NY

Just yesterday it randomly decided to switch to Metric from Imperial (F to C) on the AC Control (Driver Information Center) Display. Miles on the ODO are still in Imperial. Re-read the Owner's Manual 3 times today. Called dealership their response was to push the K/M button. Uh...what?

Thanks for your posting. I will disconnect the battery tomorrow morning to see if there is any change.

v/r

-Ryan

Tried pushing nearly every combination of buttons. Called the dealership

 

[Ryan1975]

There must be some way to switch it, however nobody on this site or any other has ever figured out what it is. Also, any dealerships you ask are simply dumbfounded at the question.

My display suddenly switched from F to C. I could not figure out how to get it back so I just dealt with it for over a year. About a month ago I was doing some electrical work on my truck and had the battery disconnected for about two days. When I hooked it back up the display was back on F.

My thinking is that this must be a feature on the Limited Models.

 

[Ryan1975]

Cross Posted from Yota Tech:

Update for archival:

- Pulled battery terminal. DIC reset itself to English / Imperial.

Problem: I noticed two things in the last 24hrs

1) Someone hit my truck in the right rear bumper
2) I've lost functionality in the following systems: Rear Wiper, Rear Washer, Rear Defrost, Front Washer, Air Recirculation

I do not know if the first problem is related to the new problems or if the new problems are the result of the damage to the rear (unlikely) but it is extremely odd that all of these things are going wrong at the same time.

I've pulled some fuses - nothing looks out of the ordinary. Making an appointment with the dealership on Monday or Tuesday of next week.

 

[Vantage85]

This thread is depressing.

I cannot believe Toyota made such a big mistake on such an easy task.

I bought a US import into Canada, and I would love to change from F into C but obviously no one knows how.

 

[Hibachi]

I agree with most of you that this issue must have an easy fix. Here's what I am thinking, for what it's worth. And forgive me because I have recently purchased a 4runner originally from the US and I reside in Canada.

My conclusions (to date) are:
1.) The display from metric to imperial and vice versa must be done by toggling an input to the display control module. (I'm not sure what the display/ computer module name is, nor do i know if it has a dedicated computer or if it's tied directly to the main engine management computer. I've only tinkered with my 1996 bmw and older Hondas).
2.) Since we do not have the F/C button or M/km button on our T4R's we should be able to take another toyota models (Sequoia or Tacoma?) electrical schematic diagram which has this/these buttons and trace it back to the module or computers input on that particular chip or connector pin. I am assuming there must be another Toyota model which would have the same module/computer as our 4Runner.
3.) Once we establish what input needs to be electrically toggled we can install a temporary or permanent switch to toggle the display.

I was, at first, thinking there was a hardwired jumper on the circuit board of the module/computer which would determine what units of measure the Display would indicate, but after reading some posts on this site and other sites think that there must be an input we can toggle since others have posted that other vehicles have this oem switch. In addition, the dealer thinks that there must be some switch.

 

[garr3ttric3]

hello from south dakota.. if anyone is still wondering how to do this, i think i stumbled upon an answer. i have a 99 limited that must've come out of canada and i took apart the climate control b/c a few buttons weren't working. i noticed that there was a wire tapped into the left harness and ran back to a screw which is grounding it. when i take the screw out (un-ground it), the unit goes into celcius - put it back it, back to fahrenheit. has anyone else seen this? can post pics of it tomorrow when it's light out...

 

[Flatlander]

Awaiting update

garr3ttric3 I would like to see any pics if you can do that for us. Sure would be nice if it could work.

 

[garr3ttric3]

pics

first and foremost, had to show off my t4r.. finally able to drive it after fixing the dinged up front end!

so i'm not sure if this will change the outside temperature or not, because my outside temp button doesn't work (hence why i took the unit apart.) but it does change the inside temperature.

basically, they tapped into a white wire with a black line on it. if you are looking at the unit with the harnesses plugged in, it is the left harness, 3rd wire from the bottom left.

**disclaimer** i have no idea if this is why my climate control unit has a few buttons that don't work, or if i just have a bad unit. try this at your own risk.