Air Temperature Sensors

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 Saturn Vue. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The air temperature sensors are a 2-wire negative temperature co-efficient thermistor. The vehicle uses the following air temperature sensors:

Ambient air temperature sensor
A/C evaporator temperature sensor

A signal and low reference circuit enables the sensor to operate. As the air temperature surrounding the sensor increases, the sensor resistance decreases. The sensor signal voltage decreases as the resistance decreases. The sensor operates within a temperature range between -40 to +101°C (-40 to +215°F). The sensor signal varies between 0-5 volts. The HVAC control module converts the signal to a range between 0-255 counts. As the air temperature increases the count value will decrease. If the HVAC control module or auxiliary HVAC control module detects a malfunctioning sensor, then the control module software will use a defaulted air temperature value. The default value for the ambient temperature sensor will be displayed on the scan tool. The default action ensures that the HVAC system can adjust the inside air temperature near the desired temperature until the condition is corrected.