Wheres the temp. display sensor?

[Pontiac Racer]

My temp. display in my rearview mirror reads way too low. In the summer, itll be 75 degrees and itll read something ridiculous like 52. Does anyone know where the sensor is. I was thinking under the bumper. I want to replace it

[idrivejunk]

Ambient temp sensor is about where you were thinking. Get underneath the bumper and look up past the bumper "splitter" on the passenger side. Its clipped to the air ductwork, I believe. Near where the lower unibody rail meets the impact bar. If you see the parts guy drop it on the way to the counter, ask for another. They can be failure prone but are inexpensive.

[Pontiac Racer]

Ok thanks. Ill check it out by wednesday. I also read it could be inside one of the vents on the bumper but im not sure if thats true or not

[Scottydoggs]

My temp. display in my rearview mirror reads way too low. In the summer, itll be 75 degrees and itll read something ridiculous like 52. Does anyone know where the sensor is. I was thinking under the bumper. I want to replace it

bet thats affecting your heat and ac as well. ive heard those are dealer only. not sure id want a aftermarket one if the parts store does sell em.

[idrivejunk]

Yep air ducting behind the bumper, thats it. Look at the backside of the impact bar. I've always bought GM ones. Some live, some don't. Simple as that. They usually stick on one temp in my experience. If it sticks at 37 degrees or below it will prevent the compressor from switching on.

[Pontiac Racer]

So can i access it by removing the vent screen thing on the outside or do i have to go under the car. And i dont think its affecting anything, yet. Only heater problems i currently have is that the air flow isnt strong at all. Weak blowing power but thats another story.

[Scottydoggs]

take that plastic off in front of the rad between the bumper, if you have it. look down its mounted on a bar down there.


looks like this

[idrivejunk]

You will have to get on the ground to see it. As I said, look up from under the car. Your hand goes through the opening between the license plate and the bottom of the bumper (unless yours is an SE base model). its right next to that. Go to the ground with your clip removal tool and part and you'll have it swapped in about one minute if the wire connector cooperates. Unless you can just feel for it. No shield removal has been necessary for the several times I have replaced them on 99 and 02 GPs. Removing one side of the grille might provide topside access, I don't know.

[Pontiac Racer]

Ill see what i can figure out. Like i said ill experiment more with it on wednesday when i have free time. Thanks for the suggestions and tips

[BillBoost37]

FWIW they have tons of original equipment ones at the JY. However..if it's reading and screwing around on you. Check the wiring. My car would show whatever the default temp for an unplugged sensor. Then it would work.. then back to default. Turns out..I messed with the wiring etc and magic. I should have fixed that pigtail, however... it's still doing great.

[Pontiac Racer]

well i got the part as pictured above and its really cold outside so i tried limiting my time out there. i saw the old one is held in with a plastic clip. so do i just pull down on the old unit until the clip comes free or is there some other way?

[Scottydoggs]

ive only seen mine, never took it off. you'll have to get a good look at it and see how its mounted.

[Pontiac Racer]

i got a pretty good look and its mounted sideways and the its mounted with those plastic clips that hold like the plastic ducts by the light together. i think the only way is to just disconnect the wire and pull up on it until it comes free but its damn cold out

[Scottydoggs]

you could always unplug the one thats there and plug the new one in and let it dangle till you mount it. at least your heat and a/c and outside temp will work.

[Pontiac Racer]

true but then it'd be prone to rattling around and could get damaged. and i don't want to buy another one... ill figure something out though

[Scottydoggs]

zip tie!

[Pontiac Racer]

id have to drill holes to fit a zip tie in and ill try avoiding that cause its hard enough to get my hands through the bottom insert

[Scottydoggs]

my area between the bumper cover and rad support is wide open, if you have them plastic covers there, they should unscrew or un clip some how ( pretty sure, seen pics with them off and on) then you can reach right in to it.

[Pontiac Racer]

I'm trying to do it from the bottom of the car. between the rad and frame theres a ton of plastic sh*t sitting in between there for the grille and stuff. its easier for me to go from the bottom but it'd probably take longer to do it that way lol

[Scottydoggs]

id think from the top would be miles easier to do. those bottom clips/screws are no fun, ive had my bumper off before, if your not jacked up or on ramps the screw driver dont fit between the car and driveway.