Wacky overhead temp readings?

[ECappleman]

Sometimes the overhead temp display is way off, or not reading at all. Although most of the time it does work.

Could this be due to the Quad chip I have been running? Don't remember it doing that before, but who knows.

 

[PHeadings]

If your refering to the outside temp you have to drive for awhile to get the right temp.

 

[Razkul99]

I have heard this problem before from a service technician at my dodge dealership. The fix was to replace an electrical component... I believe he said the forward control module?!

 

[Crunch]

Sometimes the overhead temp display is way off, or not reading at all. Although most of the time it does work.

Could this be due to the Quad chip I have been running? Don't remember it doing that before, but who knows.

My truck is bone stock and I've had the same problem from day 1. My temp was always reading 130*. It's been the only problem I've really experienced with my truck, if you don't count the cruise control maxing out at 85MPH. Took it to the dealer at 40K for warranty repair and they changed the sensor on the front of the truck and checked the console by plugging a diagnostic device into a port under the steering column in the cab. They said the console checked out fine, but the problem was still there, although it was a bit better for a while. I noticed that on humid days it was worse. Once, after driving about 7 miles and eating my normal triple order of hash browns with onions at the Waffle House I noticed it read 130* for about 3 minutes, then changed to -5*, jumped up to 77*, back to 40* then settled on 64*, which was close to the actual temp. Now that it's hot again the temp regularly reads at 130* again. Since the dealer couldn't fix it they left the problem open and I can take it back without having to pay the $100 deductable. I've also noticed that on hot days my fuel economy and trip clock will reset to zero when I turn the ignition on. The trip odometer and compass seem to work fine.

 

[ECappleman]

Maybe its just the bad humidity for us boys in Texas! :-laf



My 03 is about to hit 35,000. I'll take it in for that and some other last minute warranty issues.

 

[DaveHess]

Mine every once in a while will show a temp that I know is not right. But you brought something to mind. On an occasion when it did act up, I unplugged the sensor out in the front and then looked at the display. It showed 130. When I plugged it back in it showed the correct temp. So my fix as of late has been to unplug and replug in the sensor. Been working great ever since. I wonder, is 130 the max these things will read?

 

[Eliminator]

Mine has worked eratic from day one, sometimes it takes 10 minutes to change in the AM when the temperature is cooler (still reading the prior day PM temperature).

Reads at about 4-5 degrees warmer than actual temperature.

I have a Durango and owned a 1997 Dakota that was on the money from day one, would change when you hit a cold spot on the road, instantly. Must be a change in Vendors, for the worse.

 

[Grayhackle]

Page 103 of my owner's manual states "..... temperature readings are slowly updated when the vehicle speed is below 20mph or during stop and go driving.



From personal experience I would say the temp is not updated at speeds less than 20 mph. I puttered around a large campground for 3 days and the overhead read 55 degrees when I knew is was near 80 degrees outside. I was convinced it was broke. When I finally got out on the highway one day, the temp shot up right away.