What is this...? Pic inside...

[2 4shofast]

I was wondering what the function of this is and if it can be moved? Incase you can tell from the pic it is behind where the front ford emblem usually is.
Thanks

 

[Ian Macoomb]

Looks like the outside air temperature sensor for your HVAC. So that's where it is!

 

[SHOZ123]

I moved mine over to the fenderwell to see what the air temp was going into the air filter. Got too depressed and moved it back.

 

[Xmann01]

I moved mine over to the fenderwell to see what the air temp was going into the air filter. Got too depressed and moved it back.

LMAO!!!!

 

[MichaelH]

It's very important to keep it in an area like this, where it will get the best ambient temperature. Although it's an outside air temp sensor, I find it's crucial in making the EATC work properly.

 

[Minnesho]

yep you are right it is the ambient air temp, and it is needed for the EATC to function properly. leave it where it is.

 

[yamahaSHO]

It's very important to keep it in an area like this, where it will get the best ambient temperature. Although it's an outside air temp sensor, I find it's crucial in making the EATC work properly.

Yeah, making it read hot since it's next to the radiator. I've thought about moving off to the side or to the rear.

 

[Mr. SHO]

Actually, on the Gen 3, that sensor is pretty accurate. It does seem to read a few degrees higher than the average ambient temp but it's because of the heat from the road surface, not the radiator.

 

[Silvapain]

I always check my OAT readout against the readouts at any banks I pass, and it is usually right at the same temperature reading. I'd say it's pretty accurate.

 

[BodylessSHO]

When my OAT goes over 105 (sitting in traffic near Miami on a 95 degree day) the cold air stops blowing. Once I start moving and the temp goes down it turns back on again. I assume that's my car telling me to stop abusing her .

 

[SHOspazz92]

When my OAT goes over 105 (sitting in traffic near Miami on a 95 degree day) the cold air stops blowing. Once I start moving and the temp goes down it turns back on again. I assume that's my car telling me to stop abusing her .

I Have the same Issue, and in this heat, that can only mean one thing: Dont stop for ANYTHING, its just to damn hot

-Sam

 

[SHO-DADDY]

new guy here new SHO owner....

stupid question..... would this sensor going bad cause my OAT to read -40 deg... ??

Im in NW Florida I wish it was that freaking cold!

 

[MichaelH]

new guy here new SHO owner....

stupid question..... would this sensor going bad cause my OAT to read -40 deg... ??

Im in NW Florida I wish it was that freaking cold!

Yes. That's what you will see if the sensor is dead - or at least missing, as it was with the '99 I bought.

By the way, when you install a new one, it takes a couple of hours for the readings to rise to an accurate level. When I first installed it, I thought something else was wrong, because it showed -40 after I installed the new one. I pushed it again a couple of minutes later and it read -37, later -29 and so on. IIRC, it was several hours before it got up to an accurate (+) 86.

 

[SHO-DADDY]

is this something I have to go to ford for or junk yard?? or would Advance or Auto Zone carry it??

i'll look tonight to see if its still there or not....explains why my AUTO setting really doesnt do anything at this point

 

[MichaelH]

is this something I have to go to ford for or junk yard?? or would Advance or Auto Zone carry it??

i'll look tonight to see if its still there or not....explains why my AUTO setting really doesnt do anything at this point

I suppose a junkyard, off of any '96-'99 Taurus, I suspect. However, I don't care for sensors from a junkyard. Don't know about Autozone. You can get it here:http://www.varsityfordparts.com/catalog.htm for $80.83. It's called an Ambient Temp Sensor. I didn't know any better at the time and got mine from the local stealer for $106.

 

[SHO-DADDY]

Just did a search on PartsAmerica.com(advance auto parts) and found this

Ambient Air Temperature Sensor

If this is the right one then its only 18.88!?!?!?!??