My 2015 has factory ambient temp probe installed...what gives??

Was under the hood of my 2015 DCLB Prerunner this morning popping in a K&N, and noticed that the factory ambient temperature probe is installed and wired from the factory. I haven't had a chance to try and trace it out and see if it actually goes anywhere yet. Hoping someone here might have some insight. I was under the impression that Toyota had done away with the ambient temperature sensors and displays, so why have the probe installed and wired up? Anyone?

 

Well, on my '13 base it was prewired with termination above the console above the mirror. Allowing for plugging in one of the several mirror options that display temp. and lots of other stuff, including the rearview camera.

I don't know anything about '15s, but where did you see that those fancy mirrors were no longer an option? Or maybe the data displays on dash?

 

I have the wiring in the roof over the console for mirror, but in mine it was just 3 wires into a 14 pin harness (G, AC & switched). I tapped those for my auto-dim with homelink mirror, but I didn't see the other two for the temp. Perhaps they aren't part of the same harness as the mirror in the '15. I didn't look at all after finding the mirror harness.

 

Forgive me for asking, but are you sure it is the ambient temp sensor and not just the intake temp sensor? You probably know the difference, but figured I'd double check!

 

Yeah, it's the ambient probe. Right in front of the grille on the passenger side support stay.

 

Cool, thanks for confirming! I figured you knew the difference, but since you mentioned the K&N it seemed worth double checking...

I'm curious now about mine, but unfortunately that will have to wait a few months as I'm no where near my truck for a bit

 

I have this temp probe on my 15 also. There is a post somewhere on this forum that explains it. I just don't remember where. Anyway the probe has other uses and cannot easily be used to display the outside temperature. Folks that are installing auto dimming mirrors with temp display are running a separate probe.

 

Thanks!!


I pulled my overhead console and verified that there is no pre-wiring up there for the probe. Just constant, switched and ground for autodim/homelink mirrors.

 

OK, so now I have to ask about the K&N. Had one in my '06, but am always open to better options, especially if what I'm using is indeed, crap!! If you wanted to point me in the right direction, I would be most grateful.

 

So I found a thread that mentions that temperature sensor, it sounds like it connects via the CAN bus to the ECU and the signal essentially dies there (it is used internally by the ECU). It isn't something that can be directly connected to the mirror so you'd need to run a separate temperature sensor.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/13-to-15-taco-temperature-display-problem.355125/

 

Thanks! Really appreciate it!

 

Stock, or aftermarket equivalent.

Better filtering, less mess (from oiling). The K&N improves noise in most cases though.

 

I don't have direct experience with the K&N, but the issue is that it allows a whole lot of particulates through - even when properly maintained. Somewhere around here there is some good test data on a variety of different air filters and the oiled K&N let a crap load of particulates through compared to all other filters. I also thought there were some dyno tests somewhere showing it really didn't help power either, but that I'm not sure if I'm remembering correctly.

Anyway, the main issue is that it really doesn't filter very well meaning the potential for more engine wear. How much more wear? No one knows that I'm aware. Would you notice a problem after 200K miles using one? No one knows that I'm aware. The objection is primarily that other filters do a much better job filtering but whether that matters in a practical sense I have no idea.

 

Thanks for the detail. I spend a ton of time out in the high desert in California, and the sand is like talcum powder...super fine and gets everywhere. Think I'll just be swapping out that K&N for the stock air filter. I'd prefer better filtering over any marginal, claimed performance gains provided by the K&N (however dubious those claims may be).

 

As you might gather from the picture in my avatar I also enjoy the CA high desert! Lived in it for a few years once too and little piles of dust would show up at the corners of the windows in my house after the wind blew. I know what you mean about the dust and yeah the stock air filter would definitely be the better choice in that environment. If you ever see a white DCSB with a windowless Flip Pac on it out there stop and say hi.

 

Wires go to ac amplifier. I wish it was that easy to add temp readout.

 

Thanks again for all the help. Certainly will do. If you find yourself around Desert Center, swing over to the race track and say hello!

 

The K&N makes the noise "louder". I have one and can attest to such. Whether that "improves" the noise is up to each individual. I will admit that when going over Homestake Pass in Montana it was a bit startling the first time Cruise Control decided to downshift and run high RPMs to keep my speed up. That induction sound is LOUD in the 4-5k range. Took me 1/2 a second to realize all was well - initially I thought something bad happened as it was so sudden and loud.

And if you rev it far enough the air induction noise is much louder than my Spintech Exhaust.