2016 Tacoma Air Temp Sensor Weirdness

10/10/18 | Self

[wally_bert]

Part of being not so trusting of electronics comes from working in TV and having a super picky but great boss.

He was big onto picking out every nitpicking signal out of a waveform monitor and was extremely good at it. The guy was really good at explaining electronics where it made sense to even me.

Too bad I’m somewhat color blind.

[Deplorable American1776]

Extreme Global Cooling, Global Warming and Climate Change...

[Two Kids' Dad]

Too much dry ice in the flux capacitor

[advertising guy]

I call BS

[Robert DeLong]

3 yr/36,000 mi basic, 5 yr/60,000 mi powertrain

He probably is out of warranty my mileage. I think he said he has 100K miles on it.

[Robert DeLong]

Perhaps he may be of assistance. 8>)

[Mark]

I have a 2016 Tacoma also and received a recall notice for AC/motor/fan assembly. It seems that the unit housing was made to big and vibration does something. Anyway, the dealer replaced the whole thing for free of course.

[Right Wing Assault]

I would contact the local weather bureau first and check to see if the temperature was varying from -34 to 45 today. Those wild changes happen, you know. Just in case it happens again, make sure you get out the snow shovel and parka tomorrow, too.

[Lean-Right]

Maybe the sensor is reading correctly,
and you’re having hot flashes...
Is the truck still under warranty?
If it’s only two years old, take it back
to the dealer to have the problem fixed.

[The_Media_never_lie]

Get 3 sensors. If they all agree, then they are correct. If 2 of the 3 agree, the two that agree must be correct.

Replace the differing sensor.

[trebb]

Sensors and other electronic parts have been known to go bad...does it have automatic A/C and Heat temp control and, if so, does that seem to work right?

Have you done on-line research?

Example of research: https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-ambient-temperature-sensor-switch

[libertylover]

Earlier this year the air temp sensor freaked out along with the entire instrument panel

That's not a good sign. Try to remove the kick panel(s) to where you can maybe reach up to the instrument panel and make sure the connector is on properly. If you can't get to it you might consider looking online for instructions to remove the instrument panel to where you can check the connector(s). With the instructions, it may not be too hard, then again...

Also, depending on the design, you might be able to get access by removing the radio and reaching across from there. Modern cars are designed to look pretty so they try to hide the screws and clips behind trim pieces and you'll usually need to know "the trick" to remove the trim panels and get to the screws that hold things in place. Good luck.