Temperature Display Operation

The outside temperature is measured from a sensor located behind the front grille. In this location, heat from the radiator may warm the sensor above the actual ambient temperature if there is insufficient airflow across the sensor. To prevent a false temperature display, the electronic module monitors vehicle speed. The vehicle speed must meet certain conditions before the module will display a new reading from the sensor. If the vehicle speed is less than 18 mph, the temperature display is not updated. If the vehicle speed is between 18 and 36 mph, the temperature display is updated at a slow rate. If the vehicle speed is over 36 mph for longer than 2 minutes, the sensor will be at the correct ambient temperature and the display is updated continuously to reflect the ambient temperature accurately.

When the vehicle is first started, the electronic module determines how long the vehicle has been turned off by an internal timer. If the vehicle has been off for less than four hours, the sensor may be warmer than the actual ambient since the engine and radiator may not have cooled down yet. In this case, to prevent a false temperature from being displayed, the electronic module displays the same temperature as when the vehicle was turned off. A new sensor reading will not be displayed until the vehicle speed meets the above mentioned criteria. If the vehicle has been off for more than four hours, the module will take an immediate temperature reading from the sensor and display that temperature. Further updates then must meet the vehicle speed criteria.