Temperature Gauge?

[Pullmesideways]

I searched and even checked out the owners manual (told me to go to dealer). Ugh!

Anyway the interior gauge that displays the Outside Temperature is showing "--"

Any ideas what has failed and or needs to be replaced?

2005 LX470

Ryan

 

[phippsj]

I would check the FSM first to determine if it's a temp sensor failure, electrical connection or a computer problem. The dealer will want to replace alot of crap and charge you mucho dollars.

I have seen where water or ice gets into the temp sensor behind the front grill and makes it read way low temps on my Lexus LS. Once it drys out and warms up then all is well.

I would disconnect the battery, wait 30 min and hook it back up to see if it resets.

Good Luck!

 

[rraedeke]

I am also experiencing issues with my gauge as well. But mine reads temps far higher than actual. (122* when we drove over the pass when outside temps were sub zero..)
I pulled the connection yesterday and started up the car. No change to the readout?
I believe I have the correct sensor. Passenger side, lower corner of the radiator? ('98)

You might pull the sensor and see if there is resistance across the pins. This might help narrow down where the issue might be. Then start tracing back the wires to be sure they haven't been cut somewhere along the way...

 

[Pullmesideways]

I may wait out this crazy cold we are having in Milwaukee. The temps have been hovering around zero.

I purchased this LX last week and the dealers pictures of the dash showed the temp working properly. I am thinking that the vehicle has been heated washed and refrozen a lot over the last 30 - 45 days.

Once we get a thaw, I will see if things comeback online. Other than that one issue, all else is tracking great on the purchase.

Cheers,

Ryan

 

[Pullmesideways]

Well all your helped paid bid dividends. Even though it is 0 degrees out, I popped the hood to see if anything looked irregular with the sensor.

Well sure enough there was one thing that was quite odd, it wasn't plugged in. I recall the sales guy saying something about either replacing or refinishing the bumper. My guess is a tech disconnected this during the process and forgot to put it back together properly.

Literally a 2 minute fix, which included popping the hood and finding a flashlight!

Now I have a temp gauge to tell me exactly how f'ing cold it is outside!

 

[SeattleStew]

Where is that sensor located? any advice finding it?

 

[rraedeke]

Facing the vehicle it is on the lower left side of the radiator. Black cylindrical post about 1.25" long. Twin wires coming out.

 

[guardcompany]

Ambient Temperature Sensor Replacement

 

[SeattleStew]

Ok, not to throw a wrench into this but I had the battery tested hoping that my electrical demons were from a bad battery, and sure enough a new battery solve my ambient temp issue and related AC issue. Hoping my hazard lights flashing don’t return either. I knew battery condition was important but seems the ECU/system is quite sensitive. Ironically, didn’t throw a code....