Outside temp not reading correctly

[77Bronc]

I have been gone for a while, been traveling and working. My 2015 TP just turned 23K miles...runs perfect.

Left the house this morning, outside temps were 34, the temp on dash read 37 and the ice symbol was on. As I rode around today, the temp stayed at 37 for most of the morning as the outside climbed to mid 50s. Then creeped up to 40, then 43, stopped at 45-outside at 55.

Went by Toyota, had no real suggestion. Showed me the sensor is behind the grill.

Any suggestions on what to try?

Thanks,

77

 

[DesertCanyons]

Thermometer

Take a coat and hat with you. You never know how cold it might get. :cowboy:

I went outside this morning and the temp was hovering around 54 F. It felt like 50 and the plastic thermometer was reading 49. I didn't knw what to think.
This afternoon it warmed up to around 72 F. I didn't take a coat as I walked out to run some errands. It's a tough life here in So Cal but somehow I'll survive.

It's good to know where that sensor is.

 

[Darrow]

I've found the temp indicator takes a while to adjust after it's been siting inside or in the sun so I wouldn't sweat it.

Take a coat and hat with you. You never know how cold it might get. :cowboy:

I went outside this morning and the temp was hovering around 54 F. It felt like 50 and the plastic thermometer was reading 49. I didn't knw what to think.
This afternoon it warmed up to around 72 F. I didn't take a coat as I walked out to run some errands. It's a tough life here in So Cal but somehow I'll survive.

It's good to know where that sensor is.

The past few weeks it's been in the low teen's when I head out early morning. Definitely coat and hat weather! However, I wasn't killed by a wildfire or mudslide so that's a win I guess?

 

[3wbdriver]

I run into this pretty much every time I spend a long weekend on dirt. It clears up after I wash the truck.

 

[DesertCanyons]

San Andreas Fault

... The past few weeks it's been in the low teen's when I head out early morning. Definitely coat and hat weather! However, I wasn't killed by a wildfire or mudslide so that's a win I guess?

You're forgetting Earthquakes. We're due for a big one here. I live close to the San Andreas Fault. In less than an hour I can drive to where it ripples the landscape. It's just over the San Gabriel Mountains along Pearblossom Highway and Lancaster.

 

[philsey]

My heated garage stays 50-55*. When I head out, say in 15* weather, the display starts reacting in 20 sec, usually in 2* increments. I'd say it takes 15-20 min. tho, to settle to actual temp. It seems pretty accurate according to weather reports.

 

[phillyd2]

My heated garage stays 50-55*. When I head out, say in 15* weather, the display starts reacting in 20 sec, usually in 2* increments. I'd say it takes 15-20 min. tho, to settle to actual temp. It seems pretty accurate according to weather reports.

Mine drops much much faster and within about 5 minutes it's down to what it should be. Although these days it should just read 'F'ing Cold' and be done with it.

 

[gundrted+t4r]

My '17 takes a while to adjust. Sitting in the sun will have it ready hot and then it takes. About 20 min of driving to have it come down. Also, it's just a ruff estimate. It's not a calibration instrument.

My 2 cents is 5 degrees +/- is pretty good for a car.

Sent from my SM-G930U using Tapatalk

 

[MissouriBreaks]

I would hate to see what my 4Runner's temp gauge was reading this am. The news said it was -17 F here in West Yellowstone, MT and it sure felt like it when I walked down the street for breakfast.

Luckily it is supposed to be warmer tomorrow when I will be snowmobiling to Old Faithful.

 

[TexasTJ]

Yea mine is inaccurate too. It says there's snow on the road, but clearly there isn't.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[snif6969]

Where is the temp sensor specifically ?

 

[phillyd2]

Where is the temp sensor specifically ?

In front of the radiator.

 

[ECUDrummer]

Mine is consistently about 5 degrees too warm.

I wouldn't worry about it, it's just a truck thermometer. Phone apps will give you more accurate data if you need it (Weather Underground app allows you to tap into any public weather station in your area).

But, a ~5 degree variance isn't going to change plans unless it's a freezing event, and by then (unless you live under a rock) you'll know what you're facing.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Yea mine is inaccurate too. It says there's snow on the road, but clearly there isn't.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

It's saying it's cold enough for the roads to ice, not that there's snow on the road

 

[TexasTJ]

It's saying it's cold enough for the roads to ice, not that there's snow on the road

I know:caked: sarcasm can be difficult to catch on the internet.

 

[desertred]

Dredging up an oldie but, this just happened to me today. Pulled out of an 81 degree garage and noted the temp gauge wasn't climbing in 98 degree outside heat. No change after stopping for lunch and leaving the truck parked in the sun. Stopped by the local Toyota dealer who stated it would be $110 diagnostic fee to tell me what I already know (it isn't working correctly). The truck is dirty from driving in some rain storms, so I'm hoping 3wbdriver is right and a good washing will clear things up.

 

[Gyprat]

Not trying to bash any particular brand but the temperature reading was always off in all Japanese vehicles I've owned. Don't know why. The speedometers were also off, usually showing 5-7% higher speed than actual.

The clock is screwed up in my 4Runner. It works ok if the vehicle is used daily, but it can be off by 1-2 hours if the vehicles sits for a week without being driven. Battery is in great shape. Weird, huh?

My old 98 Grand Cherokee has a very accurate thermometer and accurate speedometer as well. I still like my Toyota too.

 

[2003-4x4runner]

I worked at a Calibration lab for 12 years and the most common MFR temperature tolerance for a instrument is +/- 2 deg. Some are more and the higher end instruments have a tighter tolerance.

For my 4Runner, it looks to be within the +/- 2 deg. spec's