[tev9999]

I've had my 2008 Outlook XR for about one month and 1000 miles now. I notice a strange issue with the external temperature reading. It seems that if I am parked facing a snowbank, when I start the car the outside temp will read 30 or more degrees high. For example, tonight it is around 32 here in the Detroit area. I parked with the left front wheel on about 2" of snow. About four hours later I started the car and the outside temp was reading 64 degrees and the automatic HVAC turned on the blower instead of heat.

It only seems to do it when I am parked near snow, like facing the pile where it gets plowed. In the garage or just open parking lots it reads normally.

Anyone else have this problem?

 

[khansen30]

Try reseting the temp gage - hold down the A/C (snowflake) and recycle buttons at the same time. The temp will go high then come back down. Some times the temp sticks at the last know temp.

Unless you remote started twice. I have noticed on occasion that after the first cycle of remote start when I start it again it reads the heat that was generated by the first start and goes from there. Make sense?

 

[tev9999]

I have noticed in the Outlook, and my trailblazer before, that it seems to average the last several readings - probably to prevent momentary spikes. I could see that if I parked when it was 60, and started it when it was 20, it still might remember the 60 and show some high readings based on an average. When I park when it is 20, and restart hours later when it is 20, I can't see the residual engine heat causing a 60 degree measurement, unless it kept reading for a few minutes after the engine was shut off. It also seems to only do it when there is snow in front of the vehicle.

It is not a big deal, just strange. And hopefully snow is gone for awhile.

 

[BBEL37]

I just purchased a 2007 Outlook and noticed this same problem. In a 10 mile trip my temp went up 35 degrees. I was in shop today for some other warranty work and asked about the problem. The Service Manager found a tech bulletin that listed the problem. Saturn at this point is aware for the problem but does not have a fix. It has to do with the positioning of the temperature sensor. He was not sure if they were going to try to reposition it or make a shield for it.

 

[tev9999]

Mine is not an issue when driving, only when parked. It is doing it in the garage now. It seems that 2-3 hours of being parked and limited air circulation around the front causes the heat to stay around the sensor. Not a big deal, but it does confuse the automatic climate control so it wants to turn on the AC when it is really only 40 degrees out.

 

[BBEL37]

There is a fix out for this now. The temp sensor is located to close to something. When it is 75 out mine will read 105. I take mine in next week for them to install the parts to fix it.

 

[khansen30]

Is it a matter of parts or location. The sensor is in the front end close to the engine and is getting residule heat readings from the engine after turning it off. One of the first fixes was to move the sensor, probably to the rear.

 

[BBEL37]

I have had mine fixed now. I think they put in a new sensor and the relocate it. Mine is fine now. It is a no cost fix.

 

[compnurd]

Is there a number for the fix?

 

[Dai_Shan]

I suppose that the temperature pickup from the engine would throw off remote start....since it goes to full heat when cold and full cooling when hot....

Granted i wouldn't really use remote start in the winter unless it had sat for quite awhile and very cold.

 

[tev9999]

Thanks for the update on this. I've got to get mine in for a safety recall on the windshield wipers, so I will have them fix this and the squeaky brake pedal while they are at it.

 

[tsc1969]

Is there a bulletin number or other information on this fix? I will be bringing my Outlook in for service soon and my temp. sensor is doing the same thing.
Tim C.

I have had mine fixed now. I think they put in a new sensor and the relocate it. Mine is fine now. It is a no cost fix.