Incorrect outside temperature on auto temperature controller. Reads higher than outside temp.? 05 Ford 350.

Supposedly blinking ac indicates ambient air sensor needs replaced ?????? no it doesn't ! Why don't you do yourself a favor an take it to a qualified repair shop that knows how to diagnose it correctly . Hooking up a factory or professional scan tool an checking for code's is the first thing to do. The way to know if a sensor has a malfunction is by A stored DTC - diagnostic trouble code .
DTC Descriptors
DTC B0158 02: Outside Air Temperature Sensor Circuit Short to Ground
DTC B0158 05: Outside Air Temperature Sensor Circuit Short to Battery or Open
DTC B0163 02: Passenger Compartment Temp Sensor 1 Circuit Short to Ground
DTC B0163 05: Passenger Compartment Temp Sensor 1 Circuit Short to Battery or Open
DTC B0168 02: Passenger Compartment Temp Sensor 2 Circuit Short to Ground
DTC B0168 05: Passenger Compartment Temp Sensor 2 Circuit Short to Battery or Open
DTC B0173 02: Output Air Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit Short to Ground
DTC B0173 05: Output Air Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit Short to Battery or Open
DTC B0178 02: Output Air Temperature Sensor 2 Circuit Short to Ground
DTC B0178 05: Output Air Temperature Sensor 2 Circuit Short to Battery or Open
DTC B0509 02: Output Air Temperature Sensor 3 Circuit Short to Ground
DTC B0509 05: Output Air Temperature Sensor 3 Circuit Short to Battery or Open
DTC B0514 02: Output Air Temperature Sensor 4 Circuit Short to Ground
DTC B0514 05: Output Air Temperature Sensor 4 Circuit Short to Battery or Open
DTC B3578 02: Output Air Temperature Sensor 6 Circuit Short to Ground
DTC B3578 05: Output Air Temperature Sensor 6 Circuit Short to Battery or Open
DTC B3583 02: Output Air Temperature Sensor 7 Circuit Short to Ground
DTC B3583 05: Output Air Temperature Sensor 7 Circuit Short to Battery or Open

there is no gage reset, it it reads wrong replace the temp sensor that is located in front of the radiator core.

What is the coolant temperature and how are you measuring it? You need an accurate temperature gauge (the truck doesn't have an accurate one).

temps vary from 190 to 220 depending on the design. what will change this is the radiator cap. it controls the pressure in the system, higher pressure is also a higher running temp. if you didn't change any components then the temp sounds right. if it gets to about 250 then worry

Hi there, You need to change the thermostat on your temperature guage. It needs to be changed depending on the climate in your region be it temperate or tropical

the sensor is located inside the air intake tube

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.

Sounds like a loose connection -38 is probably the open circuit position. Not sure where the sensor would be though.

Are you talking about the coolant temperature (c/t) or the ambient temperature (outside temp). If you're refering to the ambient temperature the problem is the sensor is located under the radiator support and picks up the temperature off the pavement this is done intentionally to help detect icing conditions and unfortunatley there is no calibration for the sensor.

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