I own a 2007 LS with 37,000 miles on it. The car was new when I purchased it. Lately the digital temperature display works whenever it feels like it. By that I mean there is always a temperature reading, but it is not accurate. What do I need to replace to make the temperature display work like it did when it was new?

 

first let me ask you question. how long are your trips? 15-20min? or longer? shorter?

 

The coolant temp or outside temp? If its the outside temp, try unplugging and reseating the connector for the sensor. It is JUST above your lower air inlet on the front bumper cover. Looks like a weather connector fastened onto a smaller-type Christmas bulb. It is plastic riveted in place.


If its the coolant, reseat the coolant sensor-or, your sensor is just BAD.

 

Usually 15 50 20 minutes.

 

Plenty of information about a POSSIBLE solution in many previous threads on this topic. Your Owners Manual, which I assume you were given at purchase time, also covers some valuable info......BUT BASICALLY.....

The vehicle needs to be driven above a certain constant speed for a given amount of time (no stop and go) for the software to make the necessary changes. Not a very good method, but it is what it is. This MAY be your problem.

 

Here Rick, this may help you. I found it in a really old thread and should provide some insight althought some of the info MAY be dated because of some progressive changes.


Outside Air Temperature
The outside air temperature is read by the body control module (BCM) and transmitted over serial data to the instrument panel cluster (IPC) for display in the driver information center (DIC). The BCM provides the logic for reading the outside air temperature sensor. The BCM sends the temperature to the IPC in Celsius. The IPC is responsible for displaying the temperature and converting to Fahrenheit.

The sensor operates within a temperature range of -40°C to +60°C (-40°F to +140°F). The ambient air temperature sensor is mounted in the forward engine area, behind the left front headlamp. This causes an air flow issue due to the sensor's location and can effect the ambient air update display parameter in the DIC of the vehicle. For model year 2008 the ambient air temperature sensor will have a new location closer to the grill airflow. In the present position, it is exposed to limited airflow from the grill before it reaches the radiator. The sensor signal varies between 0-5 volts.

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.