Sensor, Ambient Temperature: Operation

The ambient temperature sensor is a variable resistor that operates on a five-volt reference signal. The resistance in the sensor changes as temperature changes, changing the temperature sensor signal circuit voltage to the Body Control Module (BCM). Based upon the resistance in the sensor, the BCM sends a voltage signal to the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC), and other modules over the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus circuit, which corresponds to a specific temperature. The IPC then displays corresponding ambient temperature within the Electronic Vehicle Information center (EVIC) display unit within the IPC.