Outside temperature gauge reads 187

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The outside temperature gauge reads 187. How do I reset or could something else be the problem?

Mar 16, 2010

1 Reply

Popular Answer

irvtechon Mar 19, 2010

The sensor may have fallen out of it's mount and may be touching the radiator or another cooling system component. The sensor is about 2-3 inches long with a cone shaped tip and a two wire connector, There is usually a small round hole near the bottom of the front bumper cover where the sensor pokes through and is exposed to the on coming air. If the wires were broken or disconnected the temp would read -40 degrees. Check the sensor first. Good luck.

Visitoron Feb 2, 2011

I've had the temp reading 187 for quite awhile (almost since I bought the thing 2 years ago), and then it start to flash -40 yesterday. Now, it's completely blank- no temp reading. I think once this snow storm rolls thru, I'll have my husband check to see if the sensor is there. Thanks for the advice!!

Visitoron Feb 2, 2011

Usually when a display shows -40 degrees there is an open in a wire, at least in other systems in the car. with the display going to the extreme high and low, you may have a situation where the wires for the sensor have chafed against metal. The contact with the metal will cause a short circuit, result would be high temp reading, when the wire is completely broken(open circuit) then the reading would be -40. But first things first and stick with the basics, do the simple checks first before getting in too deep.

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