Overhead temperature gauge stuck / incorrect

So twice now over the last year, the overhead outdoor temperature console has been at the wrong temp almost like it was stuck from the previous drive. Today it was 75 and the gauge read 47 nearly the entire day as I was driving short trips around town. I finally calibrated the compass in a parking lot hoping that would help, and turned the truck & the console itself off repeatedly.

Then all of a sudden, all by itself, it started counting up slowly to arrive ta 63 and stuck for a few minutes. Then it quickly read the right temp at 75.

Anybody seen this? Would this be a problem with the probe or the console? Does it require a longer drive to set up & read corectly? That shouldn't be it because usually it's right on.

I can't find the probe either. I know it's somewhere around the front bumper, but I sure don't see it. Anybody have a pic? Want to see if it's maybe loose or caked with mud or something.

 

I have noticed that mine takes perhaps, ten minutes or so before it displays the correct temp. Drive it into the garage in 50 degree temps, shut it off, come back the following afternoon when it's 80 outside and hotter inside the garage and it still says 50 degrees. It has some sort of time delay on it.

How short are your trips? It seems like yours is taking a long time to react, but some delay is normal for sure.

 

The sensor is mounted on the center support behind the grille.

Here is a thread with a picture of the sensor and plug look like but it does not show where it is located.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/159246-whats-sensor-do.html

 

What you describe is sort of what was happening. The night before it was 47 when I shut her off. Got up this morning and it was in the 60s but remained at 47. Would guess most of my trips throughout the day were less than 10 minutes though .. was involved in a community litter cleanup, so was driving around and checking on crews ... all short trips. But many short trips over several hours. Guess it must need a solid 10 minutes or more. So maybe it is a time delay. Thanks for the info.

 

Just for everyone's info, the temperature "probe" used is a thermistor, whereas the thermometer circuit sends a DC signal and reads a temperature based on the resistance (ohms) on the load, and any variance on the resistance can have a dramatic effect on the temperature reading, so naturally the logic is going to have some sort of delay to keep you from getting completely ridiculous readings all the time.

 

Interesting.

 

sometimes I feel the need to do this with information.

 

LOL hey man fine by me. Appreciate the knowledge.

 

Just replaced my overhead compass/temp gauge. Compass works fine but after 3 days temp gauge just gives wildly erratic temps like -35 to 65 to 13 to 42 or 3 or -9 then gives me the 3 lines of nothing for awhile. Any ideas what might be going on? Maybe the temp sensor on the grill is bad??? I have already watched every repair video out there and did take my unit apart and tested all transistors and connections and all was good. Anyone have any ideas for me? I drive a 2009 Tacoma 6 speed automatic 4 door. Thanks

 

I am having same problem. Ever find a solution?

 

No. Gauge is still doing the same thing. I am going to try to recalibrate my compass and see if that will help. I will let you know if it does.

 

I am still searching myself. Setting the region for the compass did not work and temp still displays '- - -' or erratic values.

 

That is all my temp gauge ever does.

 

Heard back from my service advisor. He said he should be able to reset/reprogram the temp to start working. I'll let you know if that works.

 

Let me know. And also find out how you reset/reprogram so I can do it rather than the dealer. Thanks

 

Any updates?

 

None here. I recalibrated my compass and it did not change a thing.

 

Must be an 09 Tacoma thing. It's 55 here and mines been ready 31 all day. I've taken several trips but all have been less than 5 min. I think it's normally a little more accurate than that or at least changes, even on short drives.... Came here for ideas, but apparently it's still a mystery

 

I’ve got an 09 that does the same thing. Only thing I can think is a loose connection at the computer in the dash or a bad ground…. I’m going to start ringing wires at some point this summer.

Anyone got any updates before I start pulling my hair out?