Sluggish Outside Temperature Gauge
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 647
Likes: 136
From: NJ
Sluggish Outside Temperature Gauge
When taking our 2007 RX out of say a 72 degree garage to say a 90 degree day, it takes at least 10 minutes for the outside temp gauge to finally creep up to the ambient temperature. The gauge feels very sluggish at all other times. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 647
Likes: 136
From: NJ
Sluggish Outside Temperature Gauge
Thanks for you response. I don't idle once I pull out of the garage - I just go off. And then, despite driving for a number of minutes (a mile or so), the reading stays at the garage reading and then slowly creeps up to the show the real outside temperature. But this can take 10-15 minutes and 5-10 miles. And the reverse happens as well going from a hot area to a cooler one. This starting occurring about a year ago. The reading just takes way too long to react to temp changes. It's almsot as if the temp sensor, wherever it is, is wrapped in insulation which slows it's reaction time to temp changes.
Driver
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 137
Likes: 1
From: act
Agree with rainbird. Perhaps check the sensor. Remember that it has a direct impact on the way the Auto Climate Control works, too.
Seems to work fairly well on my RX. It does take a few minutes to adjust after pulling out from being parked for the night (or day). I think it's the heatsink effect of all the bodywork (and floor of garage or parking spot).
However once underway it reacts to outside temp changes pretty well.
On my earlier MAzda CX7 I did notice that the external temp was getting very slow to respond. Got them to check and it had failed!
cheers
Satz
Seems to work fairly well on my RX. It does take a few minutes to adjust after pulling out from being parked for the night (or day). I think it's the heatsink effect of all the bodywork (and floor of garage or parking spot).
However once underway it reacts to outside temp changes pretty well.
On my earlier MAzda CX7 I did notice that the external temp was getting very slow to respond. Got them to check and it had failed!
cheers
Satz
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 647
Likes: 136
From: NJ
It's been 2 years since my last post on this and I still have the problem of sluggish outside temperature readings (today drove about 10 miles and temp reading inched up from about 72 in the garage to only about 80...and it was 95 outside!). Can someone tell me exactly how to locate the temperaure sensor (for a 2007 RX). I understand that it's behind the front bumper (left or right?) but how do I get at it? Thanks!
Trending Topics
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Lexus NX 350h: A Fuel-Sipping Secret Hot Hatch???
Michael S. Palmer
5 Best & 5 Worst Lexus Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
Top 5 Hottest Lexus & Toyotas in 2026 (Hardest To Buy)
Brett Foote
2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles
Michael S. Palmer
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 647
Likes: 136
From: NJ
Hi Rainbird, Yup it was the thermister - replaced and now working fine. Ordered from Sewell for $12.07 plus $10.44 postage, essentially the same price as for non-Lexus replacements with shipping when ordered from a number of other online dealers. An aside: before I ordered it I stopped by a local Toyota dealer figuring it would be the same part as for their 2007 SUV. Parts guy said I should get Lexus part number to see if he could cross it over. But get this, he said the part should run about $70!!! I assume he was estimating what the Toyota price is for such units. Lesson is that don't assume Toyota parts will be cheaper.
Glad that worked out for you.
Lead Lap
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,999
Likes: 37
From: FL
Hi Rainbird, Yup it was the thermister - replaced and now working fine. Ordered from Sewell for $12.07 plus $10.44 postage, essentially the same price as for non-Lexus replacements with shipping when ordered from a number of other online dealers. An aside: before I ordered it I stopped by a local Toyota dealer figuring it would be the same part as for their 2007 SUV. Parts guy said I should get Lexus part number to see if he could cross it over. But get this, he said the part should run about $70!!! I assume he was estimating what the Toyota price is for such units. Lesson is that don't assume Toyota parts will be cheaper.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 647
Likes: 136
From: NJ
Agree fully, but we also have to remember that running to a local dealer may not be worthwhile costwise considering that the fully allocated costs (deprec, fuel, oil changes, other maintaince, insurance, etc) to drive a Lexus probably ranges from $0.60-$1.00 a mile. Not to mention value of your time. Our closest dealer is about 30 miles RT.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 647
Likes: 136
From: NJ
Sluggish Temperature Gauge is Back!
Hi Rainbird, Yup it was the thermister - replaced and now working fine. Ordered from Sewell for $12.07 plus $10.44 postage, essentially the same price as for non-Lexus replacements with shipping when ordered from a number of other online dealers. An aside: before I ordered it I stopped by a local Toyota dealer figuring it would be the same part as for their 2007 SUV. Parts guy said I should get Lexus part number to see if he could cross it over. But get this, he said the part should run about $70!!! I assume he was estimating what the Toyota price is for such units. Lesson is that don't assume Toyota parts will be cheaper.