Outside air temp incorrect reading, 2011 F250

The low side reading will usually correspond with the dash temp,45 lbs at low side should equal 45 degrees f at the dash with a medium fan speed and 70 to 80 degrees f outside temp with a good air flow through the condenser.(fan placed in front of vehicle).

The AC temp sensor may be stuck on a low enough reading to not allow AC operation.

images for chrysler Where is the outside air temp .

most likely the outside temp sensor is faulty it is located in front behind the grill

COULD BE THE FUEL SENDER OR YOU HAVE A POOR GROUND POINT IN THE CABIN.
WEIRD AND MULIPLE MALFUNCTIONS ARE USALLY A POOR GROUND.

I would suspect that the connection to the outside temperature sensor is not good or the sensor itself is bad. Check the connection and clean and reattach as necessary. Otherwise replace the sensor. I think they're pretty reasonably priced.

The outside air temperature sensor for a 2000 Windstar is located under the front bumber on the passengers side. It is clearly visible if you lay down and look through the lower two air openings in the plastic bumper. It is the only electrical device in that area and it is made of black plastic.

Location is behind the plastic air dam that forces air from underneath the car to go up and into the radiator (directly in front of a/c condensor). It's somewhat of a tight space, however you can pull it with force off the plastic air dam it's connected to (about midway down) and then unclip the sensor from the harness. Just don't pull too hard once you free it from the plastic air dam. These sensors rarely need replacing. If your Dual Digital Climate Control System is giving you an incorrect reading on the display for the outside air temperature, this indicates a couple of possibilities. 1.)The sensor tip is dirty and should be cleaned, or 2.)The green or white wire that goes to this sensor is worn or has broke somewhere before the sensor. This happened to mine (green wire broke) and would always give an incorrect outside air temp. I fixed the green wire and now the system functions correctly again.

There are four sensors for ambient tempurature and they work in unison to provide information to the temp reading on the dash, the heater control head ( where to direct air, blending of warm/cold/outside/inside air flapper controls) depending on the ambient temp and the inside air temp sensor located just above the radio as well as the sun sensor on the top of the dash as well as the a/c compressor head.

When you start your car, the body control module takes the readings from all sensors, outside air temp located in front of the radiator, air temp sensor located in the airbox ( senses temp of air being drawn in from the outside into the air box), coolant temp, inside air temp sensor and the sun sensor on top of the dash (this is why it takes a few seconds for the climate control system to begine when you start the car). The intake air sensor is 1st priority, inside air second, coolant third, ambient 4th and sun 5th. For instance, if the sun sensor reads the sun is hot but the interior sensor reads cold, the inside akes priority. The goal is for the system to achieve a tempurature inside the car that matches the selected temp. It uses all of the sensors to set the system up to achieve that goal as quickly as possible.

Example; Its mid afternoon, sunny and 40 degrees outside adn your in stop and go traffic. The intake sensor reads 40 degrees, the outside sensor reads 60 degrees (heat from radiator...engine heat protrudes into cabin) and the sun sensor reads high (sun is strong). The system is set for 72. priority one sensor reads 40, inside sensor reads 65, ambient reads 60= system will blow hot air to the floor out put, dash outlets will lightly flow 65 degree air so the sun doesnt roast you yet your feet are cold(if it blew hot air from all outlets, your upper body would be hot but your legs/feet would be cold). as the interior sensor reaches desired temp, air will be distrubuted through thee dash, defrost and floor with the warmest air coming out the floor and defrost, coolest air out the dash vents. Its a complex system!

The two sensors that will screw the system up the most are the intake and interior sensors. the system will function reasonably well with just those two sensors though it wont blend air temps between outlets if the sun sensor isnt working. If the outside sensor fails, it simply uses the intake sensor, if the intake sensor fails it will rely on the front sensor. However, since the intake takes priority over the outside sensor, if the intake sensor sends incorrect resistance info rather than failing, it will take priority and cause the unit to malfunction such as in your case.

The intake air sensor can be changed from the outside with patience. If it where me, I would pay the two hrs labor and let the dealer do it right.

Kevin,
Kevins Small Engine service,
South Berwick ME. 03908