Diagnostic Tip – Outside Temperature Will Not Update Or Inaccurate – 2014-2019 Buick Cadillac Chevrolet GMC

NHTSA ID Number: 10143456

Manufacturer Communication Number: PIT5232E

Summary

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician the steps to diagnose and repair the concern of the display is showing 32ยฐ F (0ยฐ C) after a battery or reprogramming a module. The outside temperature will begin to update if driven above 20 mph for at least 5 minutes. If the vehicle speed drops below 20 mph, the timer will reset and the display will stop updating. Once the display starts to update it may take several more minutes of driving above 20 mph for the display to fully update. Also if the vehicle is shut off for more than 8 hours the display will update when the ignition is turned on.

 


Condition / Concern

Some owners may comment of any of the following issues:

– The outside temperature display is inaccurate and will not update.
– The outside temperature display takes too long to update.
– The outside temperature display shows 32ยฐ F (0ยฐ C). This concern may have started after disconnecting the battery or reprogramming a module.
– Poor HVAC performance

Note: The HVAC control module uses the ambient temperature as an input to help control the a/c compressor operation, HVAC temperature door settings, etc.

 

Recommendations / Instructions

Do NOT replace or reprogram any of the following modules as it will not correct the concern:

– IPC
Radio Display/ICS
Radio/Tuner
– HMI
HVAC control module
ECM

Please make sure the customer is aware of the following information regarding how the outside temperature updates:

The ambient temperature uses an algorithm that delays updating the display until certain conditions are met. This ensures that the sensor does not detect engine or road heat when the vehicle is idling/slow speed driving.

The outside temperature will begin to update if driven above 20 mph for at least 5 minutes. If the vehicle speed drops below 20 mph, the timer will reset back to 5 minutes and/or stop updating. Once the display starts to update, it may take several more minutes of driving above 20 mph for the display to fully update. Additionally, if the vehicle sits for at least 8 hours, the display will be updated when the ignition is turned on.

Short trip driving habits along with large outside temperature swings between the ambient temperature in the morning as compared to later in the day/afternoon, like in the spring and fall seasons, can aggravate this concern. The morning temperatures can be very cold (example 30 degs F) and later in the day/afternoon the outside temperature can be much higher (example 70 degs F). In this example, if the vehicle was started in the morning, with an outside temperature of 30 degs F and then later in the day the vehicle was restarted when the outside temperature is much higher example 70 degs F, it may need the above drive cycle for the outside temperature display to update and improve HVAC performance.

Also, remember anything attached or mounted to the front of the vehicle, such as, snow plow, winter grille cover, etc. can restrict air flow to the outside temperature sensor and affect the accuracy of the sensor.

 


43 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKEMODELYEAR
BUICKeBay logoENVISION2016-2018
CADILLACeBay logoESCALADE2015-2018
CHEVROLETeBay logoSILVERADO2017
CHEVROLETeBay logoSILVERADO 15002014
CHEVROLETeBay logoSILVERADO 25002015-2016, 2018-2019
CHEVROLETeBay logoSILVERADO 4500HD2019
CHEVROLETeBay logoSUBURBAN2015-2018
CHEVROLETeBay logoTAHOE2015-2018
GMCSIERRA2017
GMCSIERRA 15002014-2016
GMCSIERRA 35002018
GMCYUKON2015-2018
GMCYUKON DENALI2015-2018
GMCYUKON DENALI XL2015-2018
GMCYUKON XL2015-2018

 


1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

Bulletin No.: PIT5232E
Published date: 06/27/2018

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10143456

MC-10143456-9999.pdf 102.95KB

 


NHTSA ID Number: 10123216

Manufacturer Communication Number: PIT5232D

Summary

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician the steps to diagnose and repair the concern of the display is showing 32ยฐ F (0ยฐ C) after a battery or reprogramming a module. The outside temperature will begin to update if driven above 20 mph for at least 5 minutes. If the vehicle speed drops below 20 mph, the timer will reset and the display will stop updating. Once the display starts to update it may take several more minutes of driving above 20 mph for the display to fully update. Also if the vehicle is shut off for more than 8 hours the display will update when the ignition is turned on.

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

Bulletin No.: PIT5232D
Published date: 10/2/2017

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10123216

MC-10123216-9999.pdf 75.45KB

 


NHTSA ID Number: 10119027

Manufacturer Communication Number: PIT5232C

Summary

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician the steps to diagnose and repair the concern of the display is showing 32ยฐ F (0ยฐ C) after a battery or reprogramming a module. The outside temperature will begin to update if driven above 20 mph for at least 5 minutes. If the vehicle speed drops below 20 mph, the timer will reset and the display will stop updating. Once the display starts to update it may take several more minutes of driving above 20 mph for the display to fully update. Also if the vehicle is shut off for more than 8 hours the display will update when the ignition is turned on.

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

Bulletin No.: PIT5232C
Date: Oct-2016

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10119027

MC-10119027-9999.pdf 92.774KB

 


NHTSA ID Number: 10113924

Manufacturer Communication Number: PIT5232B

Summary

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician the steps to diagnose and repair the concern of the display is showing 32ยฐ F (0ยฐ C) after a battery or reprogramming a module. The outside temperature will begin to update if driven above 20 mph for at least 5 minutes. If the vehicle speed drops below 20 mph, the timer will reset and the display will stop updating. Once the display starts to update it may take several more minutes of driving above 20 mph for the display to fully update. Also if the vehicle is shut off for more than 8 hours the display will update when the ignition is turned on.

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

Bulletin No.: PIT5232B
Date: Mar-2016

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10113924

MC-10113924-9999.pdf 89.439KB

 


NHTSA ID Number: 10112054

Manufacturer Communication Number: PIT5232A

Summary

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician the steps to diagnose and repair the concern of the display is showing 32ยฐ F (0ยฐ C) after a battery or reprogramming a module. The outside temperature will begin to update if driven above 20 mph for at least 5 minutes. If the vehicle speed drops below 20 mph, the timer will reset and the display will stop updating. Once the display starts to update it may take several more minutes of driving above 20 mph for the display to fully update. Also if the vehicle is shut off for more than 8 hours the display will update when the ignition is turned on.

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

Bulletin No.: PIT5232A
Date: May-2014

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10112054

MC-10112054-9999.pdf 88.824KB

 


NHTSA ID Number: 10070588

Manufacturer Communication Number: PIT5232A

Summary

SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.

 

1 Associated Document

Service Bulletin Document

Bulletin No.: PIT5232A
Date: May, 2014

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10070588

SB-10070588-0335.pdf 217.636KB

 


 

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20 thoughts on “Diagnostic Tip – Outside Temperature Will Not Update Or Inaccurate – 2014-2019 Buick Cadillac Chevrolet GMC”

  1. Had to replace my 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 with a 2017 GMC Sierra and I now have the exact same problem with the external temperature display. Looks like someone is going to have to start a civil action lawsuit against GM to get this problem fixed. The software genius that wrote this code and the approving group should all be fired. Don’t any body hold your breath over this because because it is not going to be fixed. If you are thinking about buying a GMC product, go some where else instead.

    Reply
  2. Donโ€™t know if my prob is the same as everyone else, but…
    Internal temp readsโ€”-F
    A day later, my heater stopped lighting up.
    Driver side is slightly blowing hot
    Passenger side blowing slightly cold
    I have a 2013 suburban
    Paying for 2 kids college and panicking
    Please help!

    Reply
  3. Iโ€™m having the same issue with my 2015 Sierra 1500. Worked fine until we had a cold snap, now it seems to read 15-20 degrees Celsius warmer outside than it actually is. Is there really no fix for this??

    Reply
  4. Bought brand new 2017 canyon and temp sensor for ambient air not adjusting upward effecting auto ac function. Live in city and cannot drive far enough to change so auto function not working. Simple fix to reprogram but they do not want recall. They know what to do but do not want to do it!

    Reply
  5. I took my 2017 Silverado into the dealer for this outside temp inaccurate problem. Because the climate control system uses this temp reading, if its reading the wrong temp then the climate control doesn’t work properly. Of course the dealer said they tested everything and found no problems (heavy sigh right here). They gave me a copy of this service bulletin and basically told me I will just have to do the “drive for 5 minutes above 20 mph to reset the temp” speech. Guess what? If you are driving in the city going stop light to stop light, both of these criteria WILL NEVER GET MET AND YOUR TEMP SENSOR WILL NEVER RESET! When I told my dealer this, they just said there is nothing they can do if they cant diagnose a problem. WOW! They are literally holding a copy of this very service bulletin while they tell me they wont fix my truck. Way to go Chevy!
    OK so the next step is I call Chevrolet warranty assistance. All they would do is call the dealer. Of course the dealer told them they wont do anything about it so Chevrolet warranty assistance just agreed with the dealer and said there is nothing they can do. Nice.
    So here I am with a $40,000 truck, that’s under warranty, with a freaked out climate control system because the ambient air temp is wrong because General Motors cant write a real world usable algorithm…… and nobody will write a firmware fix for it. Chevrolet, Your customer service is absolutely horrendous.

    Reply
      • I Can and probably will. What needs to happen though are more people need to become vocal about this issue since General Motors refuses to correct it. I, and others, just want my truck fixed.

        Reply
    • Iโ€™ve been taking my 2017 Yukon XL to the dealership since I purchased it in January of 2017 for the exact same issue with the same diagnosis (with lack of resolution) and it is at a different dealership today (a year and a half later) with the same diagnosis. At the start of my journey, I had a GM consumer advocate and went through numerous conversations and cases with them only to have them closed out each time. The minute I mentioned legal advise/action, they informed me they could no longer speak with me if that was the path I was taking next. Iโ€™m still a frustrated, furious customer with a very expensive SUV that canโ€™t provide the amenities that I paid for because they wonโ€™t update a ridiculously thought out program algorithm!!!!

      Reply
  6. Changed battery on my 2016 GMC pickup and temp showed 32 deg. After driving 30 miles in 104 deg temp it now reads 87 deg. The best solution I have found is place a small square of black electrical tape over the display.

    Reply
  7. If you hold down the AC button and press the AC recycle air button at the same time, the outdoor temp gets reset

    Reply
  8. We have the same issue on our 2017 Tahoe. The dealership gave us a copy of the same publication. This is CRAP! They are spending more money trying cover-up an issue than addressing it.

    This PROBLEM has been fixed by Ford, Toyota, and Subaru that I have personal experience with. I am sure that MANY other OEMs have also fixed this.

    What is GM’s problem? They should be ashamed!

    Reply
  9. The outside temp sensor not working properly, is the latest in a LONG line of computer problems with my 2016 Sierra. My selling dealer can’t touch anything to do with with the software, without GM’s authorization.
    I kick myself in the ass for not buying the F-150!

    Reply
  10. Have a 2017 GMC Sierra with the same problem. So all the time I drive in the city I never get an update on temperature. Need to get this fixed, dumb programming.

    Reply
  11. The temp reading also affects the climate control system. Per the 2017 Silverado owners manual…..two sensors that work with the climate control system. A solar sensor and the exterior temp sensor.
    What I experienced one time was that once the air temp updated the AC went to max cooling.
    So this problem with the air temp needs to be addressed by GM.

    Reply
  12. Just bought 2017 Silverado and temp read out inaccurate, utterly ridiculous to have to drive per dealer 55 MPH for 4 miles to get it to update. my 2017 Impala works fine, GM what were you thinking ??

    Reply

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