Ambient Air Temperature

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Buick LaCrosse and 2008 Buick Allure. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The ambient air temperature is displayed in the driver information center (DIC) by the instrument panel cluster (IPC). The IPC displays the ambient air temperature in Fahrenheit or Celsius. The ambient air temperature sensor is interfaced with the IPC via two discreet circuits: the ambient air temperature sensor signal circuit and the low reference circuit. The instrument panel cluster (IPC) monitors the signal circuit of the ambient air temperature sensor. The ambient air temperature sensor is a thermistor which varies in resistance as the ambient temperature changes. As the resistance of the ambient air temperature sensor increases, the IPC senses a larger voltage drop across the sensor, indicating a lower temperature. As the resistance of the ambient air temperature sensor decreases, the IPC senses a smaller voltage drop across the sensor, indicating a higher temperature. The DIC displays "SC" when the ambient air temperature is shorted to ground and displays "OC" when an open circuit exists. When the ambient air temperature is at or below 37°F (3°C), the "ICE" warning message is intermittently displayed in the DIC for approximately 2 minutes.