Where is the outside temperature sensor on a Chevy Silverado?
In most Silverado models, the outside air temperature sensor sits in the front bumper cover, behind the lower grille, typically toward the passenger side. It’s a small sensor with a two-wire harness that feeds the reading to the dash and climate controls.
However, exact placement can vary by model year and trim. Some versions tuck the sensor behind a fog-light bezel or behind a small access panel in the bumper. The following guide highlights the common spot and how to check for it on your truck.
Common location in modern Silverados
The standard placement for the outside temperature sensor on recent Silverado generations is in the front bumper cover, behind the lower grille. The goal is to expose the sensor to ambient air while keeping it protected from road debris, so it is usually located on the passenger side of the bumper or near a fog-light opening depending on the design.
How to locate it on your Silverado
Inspect the front bumper area with the bumper cover in a relaxed position and look for a small, rectangular sensor connected to a short wiring harness.
- Check behind the lower bumper grille, on the passenger side where the bumper opening is often larger and more accessible.
- Look around the fog-light bezel or inside the fog-light cavity if your truck has fog lights; some models place the sensor there to minimize exposure to spray.
- Follow the wiring from the headlight or radiator area toward the bumper; the sensor is typically a two-pin plug-in device that sits in a small housing or mounting boss.
If you still can’t find it, consult your owner's manual or a service manual for your specific year and trim, or ask a GM dealer or independent shop for the VIN-specific location. Replacing or reseating the sensor generally involves unplugging the connector and removing the sensor from its mounting hole.
What to do if the reading seems off
A faulty or blocked sensor can cause inaccurate outside temperature readings and affect climate control behavior. If the readout seems wrong by several degrees or changes erratically, have the sensor inspected for damage, dirt, or obstructions and verify the wiring integrity.
Summary
The outside temperature sensor on most Chevy Silverado models is mounted in the front bumper cover behind the lower grille, usually toward the passenger side or within the fog-light area. Its job is to read ambient air and relay the data to the dash and climate control. If you can’t locate it, check the bumper’s lower grille area, the fog-light cavity, or consult model-specific manuals or a dealer for precise placement.
Why is my car telling me the wrong temperature outside?
Your car is likely reading the wrong temperature due to a faulty ambient temperature sensor, heat from the road, or sensor connection issues. The most common reasons are a dirty or damaged sensor, a loose electrical connection, or radiant heat from the road surface.
Sensor and connection issues
- Dirty or damaged sensor: Dirt, bugs, and road debris can accumulate on the sensor, causing it to give incorrect readings. The sensor itself may also be physically damaged.
- Loose or corroded connection: The wires connecting to the sensor can become loose or corroded over time, leading to an intermittent or inaccurate signal.
Environmental factors
- Heat from the road: The sensor is often located low on the car, near the ground. Road surfaces like asphalt absorb a lot of heat from the sun and radiate it upwards, making the sensor read a higher temperature than the actual air temperature, especially when the car is stopped in traffic.
- Radiant heat from the car: The sensor can also be affected by radiant heat from the engine and other metal parts of the car.
How to fix it
- Locate the sensor: It is usually behind the front grille, in the front bumper, or near the radiator support.
- Inspect and clean: Check for dirt or damage on the sensor. Unplug the sensor, clean the connector with contact cleaner, and then plug it back in securely. If the sensor looks damaged, it will need to be replaced.
- Check the connection: Make sure the wiring harness is securely plugged in and free from corrosion.
- Consider a software update: Sometimes, the issue can be a software glitch in the instrument cluster. A dealership or mechanic can check for available updates.
- Consult a professional: If cleaning and checking the connection don't work, the sensor itself is likely faulty and needs replacement. It may also be a more complex electrical issue, so a professional mechanic can provide a more precise diagnosis.
Where is the ambient temperature sensor on a Chevy Silverado?
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Where is the outside temperature sensor located?
The ambient temperature sensor is most commonly found behind the front bumper, grill, or radiator support, positioned to get an accurate reading of the outside air without being exposed to direct sunlight or engine heat. Some vehicles may have it in alternative locations, such as the lower part of a wing mirror or behind a headlight assembly.
This video shows the location of the ambient temperature sensor behind the front bumper: 34sMACTFORDEDGEYouTube · Jul 8, 2021
Common locations
- Behind the front bumper: This is the most typical spot. It is often mounted inside or near the front bumper and can be accessed by removing the bumper cover.
- Behind the grille: The sensor is sometimes placed behind the grille in the center of the radiator support.
- In the front wheel well: On some models, it's located under the vehicle in front of the driver's side wheel well.
- Behind a headlight: Some vehicles, like certain Fords, may have the sensor located behind a headlight assembly.
- On a wing mirror: Less commonly, the sensor can be found in the cover of a side-view mirror.
Why it's located there
- The sensor needs to be exposed to the outside air to get an accurate reading.
- Being placed behind the bumper or grille protects it from direct sunlight and strong winds.
- It is positioned away from the engine to avoid being affected by engine heat, which could skew the temperature reading.
How do I reset an outside temperature sensor?
To reset a car's ambient temperature sensor, try the button reset procedure: press and release the A/C and recirculation buttons simultaneously, then press the A/C button again within two seconds. For some models, disconnecting the vehicle's battery for about 10 minutes can also work. If these methods fail, you may need to clean the sensor or the sensor itself could be faulty.
Method 1: Button reset (most common for vehicles)
This video demonstrates how to reset the ambient temperature sensor using the button method: 58sEasy StepsYouTube · Feb 5, 2023
- Press and hold: the A/C and recirculation buttons on your HVAC panel at the same time.
- Release: both buttons.
- Within two seconds, press the A/C button again.
- If this doesn't work, you may need to drive the vehicle at speeds above 20 mph for at least five minutes to allow the system to recalibrate.
Method 2: Battery disconnect
This video shows how to disconnect the battery to reset the ambient temperature sensor: 59sNexologyYouTube · Aug 7, 2025
- Disconnect the negative terminal: of the car's battery.
- Wait: for at least 10 minutes to allow the system to completely reset.
- Reconnect: the battery terminal.
If the problem persists
- Clean the sensor: The sensor, often located in the front grille, can get dirty. Inspect and clean it carefully.
- Check for damage: After cleaning, if the temperature reading is still inaccurate, there may be damage to the sensor or its wiring.
- Consider a replacement: If the sensor is physically damaged or a cleaning doesn't help, it may need to be replaced.
