Ambient (Outside) Air Temp Sensor

[amgarrety]

So, maybe a month after I got my car, the ambient temperature sensor that tells me what the temperature outside is stopped working. It started by showing completely wrong reads, such as 107 degrees, on 85 degree days. Then it started showing ---°F maybe two days after, and hasn't worked since. I noticed that when I completely remove the sensor, nothing comes up at all, so the system at least recognizes there is a sensor there, it just isn't reading. So I decided to buy a new sensor directly from Subaru. I got it today, plugged it in, hit my brake a few times to see if it would read, and nothing. I took it for a half hour drive, and still nothing. So now I know it's not the sensor. My question is, if it isn't the sensor, what is it? The system obviously knows the sensor is plugged in because i'm at least getting the ---°F reading, and not a blank screen. I reset my ECU when I replaced my steering wheel (by unplugging my battery for about half an hour), so it shouldn't be that, but I haven't reset it since plugging in my new sensor. I'm just hesitant to reset it if that isn't the problem because I hate setting everything back to the way it was (radio presets, clock, ect.). So what is wrong here? Anyone know?


Edit - Here is what I get when I unplug the sensor:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/02/6860147691_12338a7576_z-1.jpg

And then when it is plugged in like normal:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/02/6860148667_2f7bf4934f_z-1.jpg

[chuckthefuk]

This thread is interesting.. Diagnostics for temp units
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=14930 (https://sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=14930)

Also from what i've researched.. The ECU stores the previous outside temp and waits for the probe/sensor to send values to it can store it once the ecu is turned off.

I would say just to rule out the possibility of ECU vs PROBE issues is to reset the ECU with the new sensor installed.

I have never come across this issue before.. I do know that if you get -40 or +105 readings then you have a short in the wiring but since you do not have this issue, I am some what stumped.
-Chuck

[chuckthefuk]

After more research

"Are you sure that everything is properly seated where the hvac controls are?"

You did change every bulb to blue..

"..if the little tube that runs into the Hvac controls under the radio is disconnected, the outside temp gauge reads --- F."

Solution is to reconnect the HVAC module and all supporting connectors.

-Chuck

[chuckthefuk]

This is for the GD MY02+ but it should help with the BE/BH
http://www.iwsti.com/forums/gd-interior ... rking.html (http://www.iwsti.com/forums/gd-interior/204669-outside-temp-not-working.html)

[amgarrety]

Thanks for the reply, I finally got out to do it today. All my connections were fine, except one in the back of my cluster. It was connected, but a little loose. I pressed it in tight and realized it hadn't clicked into it's lock. It now works again. Apparently that connector was in just enough to make everything else work except the ambient temp reading.

Thanks again.

[chuckthefuk]

makes sense.. thats the same conclusion as the links I had posted.

Good stuff!