Where exactly is the ambient temperature sensor on 2008 Cobalt
- Thread starter armanL
- Start date
Hailcesar75
Full Access Member
Mine is on the drivers side headlight bracket. Check the back
Hailcesar75, what year is yours?
Its attached to the drivers side headlamp bracket on all years, pull out the headlamp and the bracket, the only wires that go to the bracket are for the sensor. That's where it was on my 06 and where it is on my 09.
Got it. Thanks!
Is it the sensor for the temperature getting stuck
I foud the sensor exactly where you said it is. Now the question for me is if the problem is really in the sensor. I always have temperature readings but often it stays on one value and does not go up. For example I was driving the other day and for the whole day it was showing 55F and in the evening it went down to 48F. I'm in SoCal and during the day it is much warmer than 55F. Then Yesterday it was stuck on 66F. Seems like the initial measurement is correct but then somehow it is stuck with it. Is this normal or I need a new sensor?
I foud the sensor exactly where you said it is. Now the question for me is if the problem is really in the sensor. I always have temperature readings but often it stays on one value and does not go up. For example I was driving the other day and for the whole day it was showing 55F and in the evening it went down to 48F. I'm in SoCal and during the day it is much warmer than 55F. Then Yesterday it was stuck on 66F. Seems like the initial measurement is correct but then somehow it is stuck with it. Is this normal or I need a new sensor?
camopaint0707
Full Access Member
take it to a dealer and have them check it out
Looks like it is working now. Looks like it is not a sensor problem but the logic that updates the display:
The ambient air temperature sensor algorithm uses 3 pieces of information, outside air temperature data, vehicle speed, and time the engine was turned off.
The ambient air temperature is updated and displayed by the DIC under the following conditions:
Conditions
DIC Display
If the current ambient air temperature value is cooler than or equal to the old temperature value. Vehicle speed is in excess of 33 mph.
Displays outside actual temperature. Display updates every second.
If the current ambient air temperature value is warmer than the old temperature value. Vehicle speed is less than or drops below 18 mph.
Displays last temperature recorded during last ignition cycle. No update.
New ambient temperature exceeds the previous ignition cycle recorded ambient temperature, and vehicle speed exceeds 18 mph but is less than 33 mph.
Displays outside actual temperature. Display will be updated at a slow rate.
Vehicle speed is greater than or equal to 45 mph. (for at least 3 minutes)
Displays outside actual temperature Display updates at a quicker rate.
The ambient air temperature sensor algorithm uses 3 pieces of information, outside air temperature data, vehicle speed, and time the engine was turned off.
The ambient air temperature is updated and displayed by the DIC under the following conditions:
Conditions
DIC Display
If the current ambient air temperature value is cooler than or equal to the old temperature value. Vehicle speed is in excess of 33 mph.
Displays outside actual temperature. Display updates every second.
If the current ambient air temperature value is warmer than the old temperature value. Vehicle speed is less than or drops below 18 mph.
Displays last temperature recorded during last ignition cycle. No update.
New ambient temperature exceeds the previous ignition cycle recorded ambient temperature, and vehicle speed exceeds 18 mph but is less than 33 mph.
Displays outside actual temperature. Display will be updated at a slow rate.
Vehicle speed is greater than or equal to 45 mph. (for at least 3 minutes)
Displays outside actual temperature Display updates at a quicker rate.
Last edited:
cobalt123
Platinum Member
kewl, most like go water in it or something causing it to short out
Where'd you find that bit of tasty information?