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Chevy Equinox Outside Temperature Indicator
On my 2011 I've noticed that the outside temperature reading when I first start up in the morning is accurate.....let's say 55 degrees. Then it will STAY on 55 even after the actual outdoor temperature rises to 70 or higher.
Sometime later in the day, when riding along....it will suddenly jump up to the correct reading. Anyone else notice this?
Sometime later in the day, when riding along....it will suddenly jump up to the correct reading. Anyone else notice this?
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I don't know where the sensor is placed, but leaves, plastic or something of sort may be on top of it, or just a bad sensor. Sounds like a warranty visit is due.
They had to change the sensor, this happens lots of times.
Usually the sensor is located in the front of the radiator, the sensor is fasten by 1 or 2 screws on the metal frame (between the radiator and the grill).
in the morning as the outside temperature rises as long as I don't start up the engine. I rode around this morning and the fluctuation in temperature was reflected by the computer without a hitch. Now it's been sitting in the driveway for a few hours and it still shows the same reading displayed a couple hours ago....even though the outside temperature is 15 degrees higher. I'd have to take it for a ride again to update the displayed reading.
So......NO ONE else has noticed this at all?
His outside temperature reading went crazy and he went to his GM dealer, it was his a faulty sensor. They changed the sensor and like you it didn't do anything, he went back, they changed it again and everything was fine on the second time.
This is what had happen, the first time he went to the dealer, they had put in another faulty sensor...Why you ask?
Because this sensor is a common problem and when the mechanics changes a sensor (or any other part) they put the bad one in the original box to send it back to the manufacture (they don't put in the garbage). So to make a long story short, a bad sensor from another customer had been returned to the stock room accidently and re installed in my friends Equinox.
I recommend you go back and make them change it again because this happens often, replacing a faulty part by another one.
Every morning the temperature is right on the money and as it warms up, the display accurately reflects that. But,
if you start it up for a bit, the computer sort of "locks in"
on that last temp reading. Almost like the computer now has other things to worry about. Then, if you drive down the road a mile or so, the temp reading will go up and be accurate. Now, this is ONLY on temp rises. Later in the evening as the outdoor temp decreases, the display will drift down right along with it.....no problem. It's almost the type of thing others with the same situation may not even notice.
According to the GM Service Manual:
"The driver information center shows the outside air temperature as a damped value. The time and rate of the temperature update is based on an algorithm in the instrument cluster. Factors such as last temperature reading, current temperature reading, length of time the vehicle was off, current vehicle speed, and the distance driven effect when the displayed temperature is updated. To get the vehicle to display the most accurate temperature faster, drive the vehicle. Constant moving traffic will update the display to the correct temperature more quickly than stop and go traffic. "
So...there you have it. Strange but true!
We took our 2011 model in for an oil change and had them inspect for a leak. Turned out the air conditioner developed a leak, parts were replaced and the next day we noticed no outside temperature readings. I called the dealer to find out where the sensor and perhaps a connector wasn't seated properly. The dealer wanted me to bring the car back in - a 45 minute drive one way, as this was no trivial task. I found this forum from a google search, found the sensor, the connector was just barely seated, ie, most of the sealing ribs on the connector were exposed. I properly reseated the connector and all works fine. It took all of 15 minutes to find this post, put on a pair of coveralls, find the sensor then check my work (started the car to make sure it was working). Thanks again for the information!