Symptoms of a Faulty or Faulty Ambient Temperature Sensor (Switch)

Common symptoms include faulty AC auto mode, unstable cooling, and incorrect outdoor temperature readings.

Modern vehicles are equipped with sophisticated heating and air conditioning systems that are very efficient in providing and maintaining a comfortable cabin temperature for passengers. They can do this by using a series of sensors that work together to activate and regulate the AC system. One of the main sensors that plays a key role in the operation of the air conditioning system is the ambient temperature sensor, also commonly known as the ambient temperature sensor switch.

Vehicles in extremely hot or cold conditions will require significantly more effort from the HVAC system to both cool and heat the vehicle interior. For this reason, it is important that the system is aware of the temperature of the environment in which the vehicle is located. The job of the ambient temperature sensor is to measure the vehicle's outside temperature as a reference point for the computer. make calculations. The computer will constantly monitor the signal from the ambient temperature sensor and make the necessary automatic adjustments to maintain the temperature in the cabin. When an ambient temperature sensor fails, there are usually several symptoms that can alert the driver that there is a problem with the sensor and it should be checked or replaced if necessary.

1. Auto AC mode will not work

Most modern cars have an automatic air conditioning setting that allows the car to automatically set and regulate the temperature. The air conditioning system simply reads the ambient and cabin temperature sensors and continuously turns the air conditioning on and off as needed to keep the cabin cool. If the ambient temperature sensor fails, the system does not have a reference point from which automatic calculations will be made, and the setting will not work.

2. Uneven cooling

Another sign of a bad or faulty ambient temperature sensor is unstable cooling. Since the ambient temperature sensor plays a direct role in the automatic operation of the air conditioning system, when it has problems it can affect the system's ability to cool the vehicle. If the ambient air temperature sensor fails or sends out an inconsistent signal, then the air conditioning system may be having trouble maintaining a cool and comfortable cabin temperature.

3. Incorrect readings of the temperature sensor

Another more obvious sign of a bad or faulty sensor is incorrect readings from the car's temperature sensor. Most cars have some kind of display somewhere in the interior of the car that shows the car's outside temperature, usually read by an ambient temperature sensor. If the pressure gauge or indicator readings differ by more than a few degrees, the gauge should be replaced, as incorrect readings may prevent the correct functioning of the AC system.

The ambient temperature sensor plays an important role in the overall operation of the air conditioning system. For this reason, if you suspect that your ambient temperature sensor has failed or has problems, contact a professional specialist, such as a specialist from AvtoTachki, to check the air conditioning system and replace the sensor if necessary.