[ardvarkus]

The ability of the sensor to display the outside temp is NOT the primary reason they put the sensor in....

It's purpose is to tell the PCM the temp of the air entering the intake. The computer then knows the density, and can inject the right amount of fuel.

If the air is cool (and it will be if it is being drawn in through the cool radiator, cool engine interior, cool airbox, it will appear to be 'sluggish'. It will take some time for all the materials in the air path to warm up.

And really, the thing they want is not the outside air temp, but the actual air temp entering the intake.


i don't know enough about the design to render an opinion on it's brilliance...

Ard

 

[ardvarkus]

Leader-

Simple to check:

Take a digital thermometer, place the thermocouple next to the sensor in the vehicle, see if there is a major difference.

You won't get a dealer to do this (it's not in the book), but thats the way to see if it is indeed a latency in the system or the sensor, or a real offset between the billboard at the bank versus the air being drawn through the radiator directly at the sensor...

If I remember this weekend, I'll try it.

Ard

 

[ardvarkus]

frostyra-

You are correct- there is another sensor in the intake manifold for engine air-(Intake Air Temperature Sensor) and no connection between the climate control and PCM (there is a digital buss that I thought was the link, but it is for the display)

Now that I a looking at the manual (always a danger to post first, read later) it appears the sensor allows the Climate Control to sensor the temp near the AC coils.

Still worth trying to measure the latency. Perhaps it has to do with the position of the sensor around the fluid filled radiator and coils?

Ard