This is a minor annoyance, but thought I would run it past everyone to get some insight. I bought my 2006 F250 CC PSD FX4 Lariat about 2 months ago and have been enjoying it. However, my outside temperature sensor never reads the correct temperature until I have been on the road for a number of minutes - maybe 20 or so. Even then, it seems to never quite get up to temperature if I'm just driving around town (under 55mph). I know it's not broken, since once I get on a highway, it gets up to the same temperature as what the news reports within a few miles. To give an example, today it was 105F and my sensor read 88F during my 15 minutes driving to Lowe's & back - didn't change but one or two degrees during my drive. If I had taken the freeway, I'm sure it would have registered 105F by the time I got back home. Is it possible that there is some sort of speed sensor controlling my temperature sensor? Sounds crazy, but I can't figure out what else would make it work like this.

My wife's Grand Marquis has this feature as well & it will always register close to the outside temperature (+ or - a couple degrees) - even before it's backed out of the driveway.

I would appreciate any thoughts on this. This is my first thread, but I have enjoyed reading the forum and have learned a lot about my SD - Thanks.

 

I would like to know the answer to this also. My truck 06 F350 cc lariat does the same thing. But my wifes car adjust faster. It is a 07 mercury Milan

 

I know mine shows differently by moving or standing still. But no where near a 30 degree difference, usually 1-3 degree swing. I'd suggest checking it's location, if it's blocked or the plug is nasty it could be your problem.

 

Minor fluctuations when still are based on heat from the engine, sun... My guess is that you guys who have the sensors that are reading way off of the known temp have an electrical issue. Maybe a bad ground, or a failing sensor.

They work by varying resistance as the temperature changes. The display computer simply reads the difference between a reference voltage (battery) and what comes thru the sensor and converts that via a known scale to a temperature. If a ground is bad, the resistance goes up, and the sensor appears to be reading a much cooler temp.

 

Mines started reading in the 60's when its 95+ outside but will eventually read correctly, just started doing it recently.

 

More than likely your sensor is pooched. Its a dealer part only around $100. It doesnt affect anything else though except for you temp reading.