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Outside Temperature sensor

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by rockmon1!, Aug 7, 2006.

  1. rockmon1!

    rockmon1! New Member

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    What could be the root of this issue with the MFD reading 82 outside when it's 115? Prius was parked in a terribly hot asphault parking lot this weekend and after about an hour or so, we got in to take off and the outside temp indicated a reading of 82 degrees.
    Allthough it was a nice mind game, I'd like to know if this is something I should have the dealer address?

    Anyone?
     
    #1 rockmon1!, Aug 7, 2006
  2. Sufferin' Prius Envy

    Sufferin' Prius Envy Platinum Member

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    Did the sensor somehow get wet? Did you hose off the car? Maybe a lawn sprinkler, etc?

    After washing my car, a low reading on the outside temperature gage is very common . . . and can last for several hours, depending on the relative humidity outside.
     
    #2 Sufferin' Prius Envy, Aug 7, 2006
  3. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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    Mine is quite slow to react but I've never seen it that far off. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to address it if your car is still under warranty, I assume it must be. They could replace whatever kind of temperature sensor it uses (I don't even know where it is). Let us know if you have it fixed I might take mine in also.
     
    #3 tumbleweed, Aug 7, 2006
  4. tripp

    tripp Which it's a 'ybrid, ain't it?

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    maybe it wrapped around and it thought that it was actually 1082 outside! :p

    I've never seen it off by that much. Mine is usually about 2 degs off on the hot side.
     
    #4 tripp, Aug 7, 2006
  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    wow... that's odd. It usually reads on the high side for me when I start, then start dropping back to the actual temp. That is unless it actually goes UP (which it did on several occasions this summer but only by 1°C) then I know the original reading was probably accurate.
     
    #5 Tideland Prius, Aug 7, 2006
  6. ekpolk

    ekpolk What could possibly...

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    Perhaps Toyota has finally included enough brainpower in an ECU that it's going to start showing signs of having actual emotions. Your car just has a happy, optimistic outlook, despite being left out in the heat without a bowl of water. . . ;)
     
    #6 ekpolk, Aug 7, 2006
  7. PriusRos

    PriusRos A Fairly Senior Member - 2016 Prius Owner

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    This is slightly off-track, but isn't the relevant measurement (really) the inside temperature?

    Sometimes, I get in the car and it must be about 100 degrees, but it's reading 85 degrees outside temp. I don't really care when I'm inside what the outside air temp is, but the inside.

    But I digress. I do agree that the temperature readings of the outside temp seems to be lower than reality.
     
    #7 PriusRos, Aug 7, 2006
  8. Ron Dupuy

    Ron Dupuy New Member

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    Mine will read around 80 when it actually 90+ according to an independent reading, in the shade, in the immediate area.
     
    #8 Ron Dupuy, Aug 7, 2006
  9. viking31

    viking31 Member

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    Where is the outside temperature sensor actually located?

    Rick
    2006 #4
     
    #9 viking31, Aug 7, 2006
  10. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    #10 galaxee, Aug 7, 2006
  11. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    wow, I never knew that thread existed and here I am thinking where the hell is the sensor! Thanks galaxee!

    Hmm.. one sensor.. that's not really accurate is it now? You'd figure they'd have another one to take the average. I mean, if the road is hot, it's gonna... oh.. that's why my temp reads high in the summer lol.
     
    #11 Tideland Prius, Aug 7, 2006
  12. rockmon1!

    rockmon1! New Member

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    Thanks to all respondants... I'm going to look into this odd situation a bit more. My '02 Passat which we wisely sold for our Prius monitored the outside temperature very well. It was more 'Real Time' than our Prius.

    When it's this hot,... I really don't want to be reminded of it!!!

    I'll post again if I note any remarkable changes or parallels...



    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Aug 7 2006, 09:56 PM) [snapback]299425[/snapback]</div>

    Yes, certainly the Interior air temp is important but my Information-Freak-Mind always wants more!

    Thanks for your post.

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PriusRos @ Aug 7 2006, 06:30 PM) [snapback]299307[/snapback]</div>
     
    #12 rockmon1&#33;, Aug 8, 2006
  13. molgrips

    molgrips Member

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    Why do you want to know what the interior temperature is? If you feel hot, it's hot; put the air on!

    I use the outside temperature sometimes to make informed choices about how to use the AC. For example, if it's 21 C outside but sunny, I can set the AC to 21 and enjoy cool air, but if it's 25 I don't want to be making the AC work too hard so I'll use 23.

    In any case, the most important reason for having an exterior temperature sensor is in the winter time. If you drive into a frost hollow, the car should alert you that the temp has dropped and there might be ice (my Seat was pretty responsive with this - if it sensed below 4 C it beeped and a snowflake lit up). Similarly, if you gain altitude above the 0 C isotherm, or if you are driving in the evening and temperatures are sinking.
     
    #13 molgrips, Aug 9, 2006
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