Outside temperature gauge ? 2018 Tacoma

Yup, that is it. For more room I would undo the clip. I did not take a real good look at the clip, but usually just somehow making it smaller on the passenger side and fitting it through the hole is what to do. If you wish after getting the connector apart take a good, magnified view to see if you can see any corrosion. Corrosion in this case is usually a green color. Plug and unplug it several times to clean or wipe the contacts. Do not go probing inside with anything metal.

 

Ok tried that. Did not appear to be any corrosion, still no change.. Still reads:

 

I would move on to connector IA5 (info provided in the handful of attachments in post 3).

 

While you’re at the sensor, if you have a VOM or OHM meter, try measuring the resistance of the sensor. In one of the documents supplied there is a graph on the values versus temperature. I’m now on the road and will respond much slower.

 

Don’t have a meter, could it still be possible for the sensor to be bad even though no corrosion ? Thanks

 

Everything can go bad, even without showing any obvious signs. Since you have no meter follow the IA5 suggestion since that is within your capability.

 

Sure, the joint where both wires are connected could have separated or deteriorated over time.

But, because the displayed value seems to improve as the truck warms up, it makes me think it's not an issue with the sensor itself. Especially with the location of the sensor, I don't imagine it will get much heat while driving down the road (or idling if the fan is running).

 

The value actually seemed to go higher today as I was out driving went as high as -35

 

Which makes me think it's a connection either in the engine bay itself, or in the cab.

 

I did go to the dealer for a oil change about 2 weeks ago. A few days later the check engine light came on. I just figured the Damn dealer never reset the maintenance light , so I went ahead and did it myself. If I took it to a auto parts store to have them check for any codes even though I reset the light , would anything show up?

 

Potentially. If the code is not yet "confirmed" then it could show as pending.

Also, that "B1412-12" is a code, but unlikely to throw the check engine light. I'm not sure if it would illuminate the alert (?) icon though, and I'm also not sure if a typical scanner could pick that up. Someone with more knowledge than me would have to chime in to answer that.

 

@ktbell444 Another check within the capabilities of the OP is to disconnect the sensor and see what temperature is displayed. I say this because the temps displaying are beyond the stated capabilities of the sensor. Infinite resistance for the lowest possible temperature is what should occur. Since the system is displaying a value it is not capable of measuring makes me think...

 

The blank values are normal if it's an open, I've seen it a few times on here. Not sure about the -30 though.

 

Confirmed, I disconnected my sensor and drove with it. The display did not immediately change from the previously displayed value (77 degrees), but then did change to the two dashes within 15-20 seconds.

 

Little off topic but it's 77°F in NorCal right now??? At this time of year?

 

Yeah, I thought that might get to you. In Roseville, near Sacramento, about 4:30PM was the 77 degrees. 59 degrees according to Wonderground now at 8:25PM.

 

Update: For kicks and giggles disconnected the negative battery terminal. Waited a few minutes & put back on. Started truck temperature now seems correct: more normal. Thoughts?

 

The AC amplifier sends a 5V signal through the sensor and reads the voltage drop. It's possible I guess? But I'm not convinced. I guess just give it time and see what happens.

 

Appreciate all the help. Hopefully I don’t have to come back again lol

 

Like ktbell444 I'm not convinced either as to a long-term successful outcome, however I hope I am wrong. Our thoughts are not in alignment.

My further thoughts last night were that it is a computer glitch since the display was displaying something that was not possible for the sensor to produce, i.e. the -35 degrees is not in the range of its capabilities to measure so the computer should reject the possibility. The computer did not reject the spurious input, but very possibly made up the value itself which you reset by the battery disconnect. Good going. It really should be the first step.

Time will tell.