DTC 171

Schematic:

CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION
The outside air temperature sensor is located behind the lower grille of the front fascia on the left side of the vehicle. In this position, it is exposed at airflow through the grill before the air enters the radiator. This provides a sample of the outside (ambient) air temperature.

The sensor is a thermistor used to control the signal voltage to the heater and A/C control. The heater and A/C control supplies a reference voltage (about 5 volts) on circuit PM 4 to the sensor and measures the voltage drop in the circuit to obtain a temperature signal. This signal is an input that tells the heater and A/C control how much cooling or heating will be required to deliver to the passenger compartment. It also affects the mode and blower motor speed.

Resistance of the sensor varies from 169,400 ohms at -40°C (-40°F) to 1,245 ohms at 60°C (140°F). When the outside (ambient) air temperature is cold, the thermistor resistance is high; therefore, the Heater and A/C control will receive a high signal voltage input. If the air temperature is hot, the thermistor resistance is low, the Heater and A/C control will receive a low signal voltage input.

The outside temperature is displayed on the display panel of the heater and A/C control. The displayed temperature value is derived from a series of calculations performed by a processor in the heater and A/C control. When the measured outside temperature is less than the displayed value, the processor filters less of the input signal, stores it in EEPROM, and rapidly updates the display. If the measured outside temperature is greater than the displayed value and the vehicle is moving, the processor filters more of the input signal, stores it in EEPROM, and updates the display at a much slower rate.

CONDITIONS FOR SETTING THE DTC
^ With the ignition in the ON position, circuit PM4 is checked continuously every 200 ms.
^ Circuit PM4 stays at 4.5 V or higher.

ACTION TAKEN WHEN THE DTC SETS
^ The heater and A/C control displays the outside temperature as F.
^ The system uses 10°C (50°F) as a default value.

CONDITIONS FOR CLEARING THE DTC
The conditions for the fault are no longer present
^ Using a scan tool.
^ A history DTC will clear after 20 consecutive ignition cycles if the condition for the fault is no longer present.







DIAGNOSTIC AIDS
^ If the DTC is a history or an intermittent. Try to perform the tests shown while "wiggling" wiring and connectors, this can often cause the malfunction to appear.
^ Visually inspect sensor connector and harness for damage, corrosion or water intrusion.
^ Check connector halves for poor mating or a terminal not fully seated in the connector body (backed out).
^ Check for adequate terminal tension, mis-routed harness, rubbed through wire insulation, and broken wire inside the insulation.
^ Check for improperly formed or damaged terminals. All connector terminals in the related circuit should be carefully reformed or replaced to insure proper contact tension.
^ If using the chart above, the resistance value of the sensor must be close to the ohmic values given in the chart. If not the sensor is considered skewed and must be replaced.

TEST DESCRIPTION

Steps 1-9:

The number(s) below refer to the step number(s) on the diagnostic table.
2. This step tests the reference voltage from the heater and A/C control.