Thermometer sensor
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ToyotaDoodz
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I don't, but mine is always with in 2 degrees of all the remote thermometers I pass by. Sounds like your's may be covered somehow.
ToyotaDoodz
New member
Is this a change since you added the radiator cover?
PS, mine's been 2 degrees warm from 118F down to -3F so it must be up front some where.
PS, mine's been 2 degrees warm from 118F down to -3F so it must be up front some where.
carina71
New member
ToyotaDoodz said:
Yes it is, but I can't imagine I covered it up. It is also a change since it registered "--" several times during my "extreme cold" trip. So I am sort of wondering if I did not somehow reset/recalibrate it that day.
Thought I would start with the obvious first, and find the bloody thing.
ToyotaDoodz
New member
Good point. I don't have my books at work.
I'm guessing it's going to be in a place where decreased air flow in the engine bay will make it read warmer from engine heat. I've noticed a "heat soak" effect after driving a while and parking. The engine heat elevates the reading while parked until I drive a 1/2 block or so. It sure appears that air flow either cools it off or moves the engine heat away from it.
All circumstantial, observed evidence over time on my part. Where's a "CSI" when you need one.
I'm guessing it's going to be in a place where decreased air flow in the engine bay will make it read warmer from engine heat. I've noticed a "heat soak" effect after driving a while and parking. The engine heat elevates the reading while parked until I drive a 1/2 block or so. It sure appears that air flow either cools it off or moves the engine heat away from it.
All circumstantial, observed evidence over time on my part. Where's a "CSI" when you need one.
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MicaBlue03
Member
The air temp sensor is behind the front grille and above the bumper.
It's pretty accurate when you're moving, but can be affected by engine heat or sun heating the vehicle.
It's pretty accurate when you're moving, but can be affected by engine heat or sun heating the vehicle.
ToyotaDoodz
New member
carina71 said:
You can clearly see it in the pic below.
I'm looking for it now.
ToyotaDoodz
New member
You thought I was kidding . . .
Look again. On my 03, it's on the vertical pillar to the left of the horns. Same wire bundle. Wiring diagam calls it the A/C Ambient Temperature Sensor
Look again. On my 03, it's on the vertical pillar to the left of the horns. Same wire bundle. Wiring diagam calls it the A/C Ambient Temperature Sensor
MicaBlue03
Member
Thanks ToyotaDoodz. You beat me to it--I wasn't going to get the chance to look into this until this weekend. If I can find the time I'll look at the repair manual set and see if it reveals anything more.
Carina71, I don't know what other uses the vehicle has for the ambient air temp, but I would avoid anything that would tend to distort its readings if possible. It may be used for the engine computer/fuel injection operations, and a bad temperature reading could throw it off.
So if, for example, you want to block off part of the radiator in really cold temps, you could try to keep that area clear. Just a suggestion, though, as I don't drive in really cold temps anymore.
Carina71, I don't know what other uses the vehicle has for the ambient air temp, but I would avoid anything that would tend to distort its readings if possible. It may be used for the engine computer/fuel injection operations, and a bad temperature reading could throw it off.
So if, for example, you want to block off part of the radiator in really cold temps, you could try to keep that area clear. Just a suggestion, though, as I don't drive in really cold temps anymore.
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ToyotaDoodz
New member
MicaBlue03 said:
I saw an opportunity to 1. come home for lunch, 2. play in the sleet and snow on the way, 3. give carina71 a hard time (and he took it very well.)
I'm looking at the manuals now but am having trouble getting into the "Toyota Speak" repair manual frame of mind of Friday afternoon.
It's almost Corona time.
ToyotaDoodz
New member
carina71 said:
The material you used is like a reflective foil, right? Paint the front of the foil black in front of the sensor to absorb heat away from the sensor?
ToyotaDoodz
New member
carina71 said:
Alaska time is a few hours behind me.
Woah! How am I going to tell if it's tied in to the FI system?
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carina71
New member
ToyotaDoodz said:
Well, actually I was hoping MicaBlue would let me know. Heck, I KNEW you wouldn't be smart enough to figure it out!:wtf:
Actually, I'd be a little surprised if the two were tied together. I expect the engine temperature sensor is the only one incorporated into the FI computer.
GEEEZZE. And you call yourself a computer expert.
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ToyotaDoodz
New member
carina71 said:
Whew! Thanks for letting the pressure off me.
I'm going out to change my headlight fluid now. Later I'll let the summer air out of my tires and put in fresh winter air. These repair manuals are good but they don't go into the programming real well.
ToyotaDoodz
New member
carina71 said:
Trust me, at temps below freezing, that nut is very tight.