Outside Air Temperature

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2017 Ford Fusion. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The Ambient Air Temperature (AAT) sensor is hardwired to the PCM through separate input and return circuits. The PCM provides a reference voltage to the Ambient Air Temperature (AAT) sensor and monitors the change in voltage resulting from changes in resistance as determined by outside air temperature. The PCM sends the ambient air temperature message to the GWM through the HS-CAN1. The GWM sends the ambient air temperature to the FCIM over the MS-CAN. The FCIM filters the data and sends the ambient air temperature filtered message to the IPC through the GWM over the HS-CAN3.

The FCIM updates the messaged outside temperature data at different rates depending on several criteria to prevent false temperature displays due to a condition known as heat soaking. Heat soaking is where the outside air temperature is hotter in the location of the Ambient Air Temperature (AAT) sensor than the actual outside air temperature.

When the sensed outside temperature rises, the display updates slowly at varying rates based on vehicle speed. When the sensed outside temperature drops, the display updates more quickly following the drop experienced by the Ambient Air Temperature (AAT) sensor.