I just picked up a 94 es 300. Got an awesome deal because the car has a salvage title. Everything works fine but the when I press the outside temperature button on the a/c it reads -22F. I live in Southern California and we never get that cold!! Needless to say any temperature from 65 to 85 will turn the heater on because the climate controls thinks it's freezing outside. The only way to get cold air to come out, is to turn the dial all the way to "cold". I'm sure it's just a temp sensor that needs to be replaced or connected. I just need to know where to find it and hopefully a picture of what it looks like.
Thanks ahead of time.

 

See, that may help

 

Ambient Temperature Display - Reads Minus 22 Degrees F


REF: HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING

NO.: AC001-95

DATE: MAY 3, 1996

MODEL: LS 400, GS 300, SC 400, SC 300, ES 300

Title AMBIENT TEMPERATURE DISPLAYS -22°F

On Lexus models equipped with an ambient temperature display, -22°F may appear in the ambient temperature display if continuity through the ambient temperature sensor circuit is interrupted. Since the -22°F is retained in memory, the condition will persist even after continuity through the ambient temperature sensor circuit has been re-established. Climate control system operation may also be adversely affected.

This condition can be corrected by briefly removing the fuse supplying the B+ power source to the air conditioning control unit.

Do not attempt repairs before performing the following reset procedure:

RESET PROCEDURE:




Refer to the table and remove the appropriate fuse for 30 seconds and reinstall.

IMPORTANT :Some of these fuses provide power to other systems for memory retention. Check and reset clock, radio presets, and memory as necessary.

If ambient temperature display is not corrected, refer to repair manual for diagnosis

 

removed the ecu2 fuse as noted. No change, I'll disconnect the battery and see what happens.

 

Check and make sure that it even has the sensr plugged in. If it is previous salvage and had front end damage, They may never have put the sensor back in....

 

The sensor should be located under the passenger side headlight, probably mounted to the back of the bumper support

 

that's what I was thinking, I just needed to some one to let me know where to check. Thanks, I'll post my results.

 

Forget this drawing

 

Thanks,
Found the dangling connector but no sensor. I'm sure it's missing, I'll have to buy a new one.

 

has anyone tried a 94 heater control in a 92-93 and does the outside temp display work? it wasnt an option on my car but i would love to have it. i do have an ambient temp sensor on the bumper.

 

answered myself on this one.

YES! The climate control from a 94 with "outside temp" DOES work on a 92-93!

 

i have a 99 es300 of my buddys here. we installed a double din, started the car up with the climate control disconnected to test the unit. after installation complete, realized that we left the climate control unplugged when we restarted the car. tried to do this procedure but cars stuck at -22. any help would be appreciated