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Ambient temperature device - where is it?

Discussion in 'Prius c Main Forum' started by davids45, Jan 7, 2018.

  1. davids45

    davids45 Active Member

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    G'day,
    I wonder where and what is the device that displays the 'outside' or ambient temperature for the 2016 Prius c?

    I had occasion to go for a suburban drive yesterday (returning things left by forgetful grandchildren :rolleyes: like socks, toys, even undies).
    Getting in to start off, the car was showing 43 degrees while sitting in the sun in our driveway. This was pretty much the temperature the local media were reporting so I was impressed, expecting a hotter temperature from the car under its stationary direct-sun conditions.
    The temperature rose to around 46-47 degrees during the drive, I put this down in part to the black bitumen roadway with little shade and relatively calm conditions.
    Things had cooled off marginally on the trip back home to about 40 degrees, again in line with reports of the weather hereabouts.

    Hence my curiosity about where in it, is the car is taking the temperature and what device it employs?

    David S.

    (P.S. 46 degrees hereabouts = 115 F in some other parts)
     
    #1 davids45, Jan 7, 2018
  2. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    From the 2010 Prius repair manual...

    upload_2018-1-7_20-7-34.png
     
    #2 RRxing, Jan 7, 2018
    padroo and bisco like this.
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    c is probably similar. they all seem to be behind the license plate area.

    it definitely picks up heat off the tarmac, and seems more accurate when moving. although, even traveling at high speed on a hot motorway seems to affect the sensor from the hot asphalt.
     
    #3 bisco, Jan 7, 2018
  4. davids45

    davids45 Active Member

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    G'day
    Thanks for your replies.

    Seems quite a good spot for a temperature sensor, being away from direct sunlight and engine-waste-heat effects. I'll check it out if it cools down outside.

    Is there any indication of the type of device the sensor is - e.g. thermistor, thermocouple, or something newer from the solid-state world?

    David S,
     
    #4 davids45, Jan 8, 2018
  5. vincent1449p

    vincent1449p Active Member

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    It is a NTC thermistor. Below are the resistance ranges for your reference:

    Temperature and corresponding Resistance range.jpg

    Vincent
     
    #5 vincent1449p, Jan 8, 2018
  6. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    I always wondered where they put them but was not curious enough to find out, thanks.
     
    #6 padroo, Jan 9, 2018
  7. davids45

    davids45 Active Member

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    G'day,
    Thanks vincent1449p for the sensor info.
    Padroo, I suspect at the moment, where you are, it's a bit cold on the ground to lie down under the car :) .
    On the other hand, here, it would be nice to get into a bit of shade ;) .
    David S.
     
    #7 davids45, Jan 10, 2018
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