Posted on 10/10/2018 4:37:20 PM PDT by wally_bert
Today on the way home on an 85 degree or so day, my 16 Tacoma's air temp sensor kept dropping steadily until it hit -34 outside.
The truck runs fine, no errors on the dash, performance seemed the same.
In the last few miles, it started registering a little above 0 degrees.
I got home no problem and changed the sensor out since I had a spare on hand. I did unhook the battery first. After swapping and powering back up, air temp was a steady 20 something degrees. No warning lights. Normal sounding and running. I found a default setting in the instrument panel and tapped it too.
After about an hour, I unhooked the battery again for a bit and hooked back up. Air temp was steady 45 degrees. Runs normal, sounds normal. No warning lights.
I guess I'll find out in the morning what's next. It's hopeful but probably naïve to think it will straighten itself out with some settling time. It's sort of like the idea a cutting up car runs fine when someone else sees it, hence my post here. It's been a long day and I've been up since 4:30 AM.
What I'm probably looking at is giving the dealer money that I'd rather not if it's still whacked. I'm no electronics whiz. This modern stuff is great until something goes out.
Anyone else ever run into this problem?
Any advice is appreciated.
That’s usually a sign of paranormal activity. Call Ghostbuster’s immediately.
Just curious. Why did you have a spare temperature sensor “on hand?”
Buy a cheap thermometer at Wal-Mart and glue it to the outside mirror? Change your route to drive by some banks with time and temperature signs?
What I’m really wondering is why you’d have a spare sensor lying around the house?
Air temperature? Like the digital readout on the rear view mirror or the dash? Or engine temperature? Obviously the outside air temperature will have no impact on the engine.
You had a spare temp sensor? Well, weird. How sure are you that the new one is OK?
But I’d suggest you check that the connectors are on tight. Also, check to see if there are any obstructions, like mud or leaves or something on or near the sensor. Is it in the bumper?
A wiring diagram would tell which connector it goes through, but it may be pretty hard to get to. Good luck.
If your vehicle is running fine, ignore it.
If you’re talking about the thermometer in the vehicle that shows the outdoor temperature and you replaced a sensor on the engine. Wrong thingy.
There’s an intake air temp sensor that the engine uses and there’s an air temp sensor for the outdoor temp which has nothing to do with the engine.
To different things.
Sensors go bad.
The ‘Aroma of Tacoma’ is messin’ with ya Wally!
Earlier this year the air temp sensor freaked out along with the entire instrument panel but it all stabilized. I figured safe than sorry. It was a whopping 22 bucks and change.
“What I’m probably looking at is giving the dealer money that I’d rather not if it’s still whacked.”
Something is strange? You don’t want to submit a warranty claim?
Probably a connector or wiring problem, the -34 may correspond with an open circuit reading or a lower guardband limit in the software.
Given my weird week at the office and the 4:30 wakeups, I would almost believe there are aliens from another planet in my whole organization.
I sometimes do the 4/10 thing to save a little vacation time hence getting up so early.
Are You log In?
.
Check your Settings.
“If your vehicle is running fine, ignore it.”
No. Get it fixed before warranty expires.
Most likely.
It’s done weird electrical things a few times since early this year.
Sounded like it may be out of warranty, but yes if it is still under warranty then by all means have the dealer take care of it.
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