Ambient Temp Sensor Description; Operation; Diagnosis And Testing Diagnosis And Testing - Ambient Temperature Sensor; Diagnosis And Testing - Ambient Temperature Sensor Circuit - Chrysler 300M 2002 Service Manual

8M - 14 MESSAGE SYSTEMS
AMBIENT TEMP SENSOR
DESCRIPTION
Ambient air temperature is monitored by the Elec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) through
ambient temperature messages received from the
Body Control Module (BCM) over the Programmable
Communications Interface (PCI) data bus network.
The BCM receives a hard wired input from the ambi-
ent temperature sensor. The ambient temperature
sensor is a variable resistor mounted to a bracket
that is secured with a screw to the right side of the
headlamp mounting module grille opening, behind
the radiator grille and in front of the engine compart-
ment.
Refer to Body Control Module in Electronic Con-
trol Modules. For complete circuit diagrams, refer to
the appropriate wiring information. The ambient
temperature sensor cannot be adjusted or repaired
and, if faulty or damaged, it must be replaced.

OPERATION

The ambient temperature sensor is a variable
resistor that operates on a five-volt reference signal
sent to it by the BCM. The resistance in the sensor
changes as temperature changes, changing the tem-
perature sensor signal circuit voltage to the BCM.
Based upon the resistance in the sensor, the BCM
senses a specific voltage on the temperature sensor
signal circuit, which it is programmed to correspond
to a specific temperature. The BCM then sends the
proper ambient temperature messages to the EVIC
over the PCI data bus.
The thermometer function is supported by the
ambient temperature sensor, a wiring circuit, the
Body Control Module (BCM), the Programmable
Communications Interface (PCI) data bus, and a por-
tion of the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) module. If any portion of the ambient temper-
ature sensor circuit fails, the BCM will self-diagnose
the circuit.
The ambient temperature sensor circuit can also be
diagnosed by referring to Diagnosis and Testing -
Ambient Temperature Sensor, and Diagnosis
and Testing - Ambient Temperature Sensor Cir-
cuit. If the temperature sensor and circuit are con-
firmed to be OK, but the temperature display is
inoperative or incorrect, refer to Diagnosis and
Testing - Electronic Vehicle Information Center
in this group. For complete circuit diagrams, refer to
the appropriate wiring information.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - AMBIENT
TEMPERATURE SENSOR
(1) Turn the ignition switch to the Off position.
Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
Disconnect the ambient temperature sensor wire har-
ness connector.
(2) Measure the resistance of the ambient temper-
ature sensor. At –40° C (–40° F), the sensor resis-
tance is 336.6 kilohms. At 60° C (140° F), the sensor
resistance is 2.49 kilohms. The sensor resistance
should read between these two values. If OK, refer to
Diagnosis and Testing - Ambient Temperature
Sensor Circuit in this group. If not OK, replace the
faulty ambient temperature sensor.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - AMBIENT
TEMPERATURE SENSOR CIRCUIT
(1) Turn the ignition switch to the Off position.
Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
Disconnect the 2-way ambient temperature sensor
wire harness connector and the 22-way Body Control
Module (BCM) wire harness connector.
(2) Connect a jumper wire between the two termi-
nals in the body half of the 2-way ambient tempera-
ture sensor wire harness connector.
(3) Check for continuity between the sensor return
circuit and the ambient temperature sensor signal
circuit cavities of the 22-way BCM wire harness con-
nector. There should be continuity. If OK, go to Step
4. If not OK, repair the open sensor return circuit or
ambient temperature sensor signal circuit to the
ambient temperature sensor as required.
(4) Remove the jumper wire from the body half of
the 2-way ambient temperature sensor wire harness
connector. Check for continuity between the sensor
return circuit cavity of the 22-way BCM wire harness
connector and a good ground. There should be no
continuity. If OK, go to Step 5. If not OK, repair the
shorted sensor return circuit as required.
(5) Check for continuity between the ambient tem-
perature sensor signal circuit cavity of the 22-way
BCM wire harness connector and a good ground.
There should be no continuity. If OK, refer to Diag-
nosis and Testing - Electronic Vehicle Informa-
tion Center in this group. If not OK, repair the
shorted ambient temperature sensor signal circuit as
required.
LH