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2001 outside temp way off

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by Rastermon, Feb 24, 2010.

  1. Rastermon

    Rastermon New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2009
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    Location:
    Corvallis, Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Starting this past summer, I noticed my outside temp reading about 10 degrees warmer than the true temp. If it was 85, my car would show 95. I thought nothing of it, and now in the winter, when its 35 or 40 degrees in the am, I start my car and it reads outside temp 88 or 95 or some crazy number.
    Is this something I should be concerned about? Car still runs fine, I bought it used in March 2009. What might make it read so clearly wrong temps? Thanks
     
    #1 Rastermon, Feb 24, 2010
  2. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Prime Plus
    Radiator block is my first thought. However, the resistance of the sensor decreases with higher temperatures. You may have a short or corrosion short at a connector.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #2 bwilson4web, Feb 24, 2010
  3. mlibanio

    mlibanio Member

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2008
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    Location:
    Toronto
    Vehicle:
    2002 Prius
    Model:
    I
    I agree with Bob completely. While a grille block will affect the temperature to a certain degree, I don't think it would vary by that much. Make sure that the sensor has not fallen off, maybe its somehow worked loose, and is now close to the transmission or the invertor. I believe it is on the driver's side of the under hood area, near the headlight. Mine has an orange sticker on the top. A short is possible, but I think it would fluctuate more wildly, but certainly a possibility.
     
    #3 mlibanio, Feb 25, 2010
  4. orange4boy

    orange4boy Member

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2009
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    Location:
    Vancouver BC
    Vehicle:
    2003 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    My temperature sensor was bent in and touching the inverter rad, giving an off temp too. I just bent it out again but a more permanent fix would be to mount it in the hole for the tow loop on the right side of the grille.

    My grille block used to be a problem but I cut a section out near the sensor and now it reads pretty well. Better when moving though.
     
    #4 orange4boy, Feb 25, 2010
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