Ford Explorer Sport Ambient Temperature Sensor (Switch) Replacement at your home or office.

Our mobile mechanics offer services 7 days a week. Upfront and transparent pricing.

Estimate price near me

Service Location

Customer Ratings

(35)

Included for free with this service

Online Booking

Mechanic comes to you

12-month / 12k-mile warranty

Free 50 point safety inspection

Our certified mobile mechanics can come to your home or office 7 days a week between 7 AM and 9 PM.

Customer Ratings

(35)

Ambient Temperature Sensor (Switch) Replacement Service

How much does a Ambient Temperature Sensor (Switch) Replacement cost?

On average, the cost for a Ford Explorer Sport Ambient Temperature Sensor (Switch) Replacement is $180 with $85 for parts and $95 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
2003 Ford Explorer SportV6-4.0LService typeAmbient Temperature Sensor (Switch) ReplacementEstimate$284.01Shop/Dealer Price$336.27 - $470.53
2002 Ford Explorer SportV6-4.0LService typeAmbient Temperature Sensor (Switch) ReplacementEstimate$264.01Shop/Dealer Price$316.28 - $450.56
2001 Ford Explorer SportV6-4.0LService typeAmbient Temperature Sensor (Switch) ReplacementEstimate$264.01Shop/Dealer Price$316.28 - $450.56
Show example Ford Explorer Sport Ambient Temperature Sensor (Switch) Replacement prices

What is the Ambient Temperature Sensor (Switch) all about?

Modern automotive HVAC systems have advanced by leaps and bounds over those used just a few years ago. Today, many high and even mid-range cars offer automatic climate control. This function basically allows you to “set it and forget it,” allowing the car’s computer to control the heating and cooling based on your preferred interior temperature. In order to do this, the computer needs information about not only the temperature inside the car, but also the ambient temperature outside the car.

The ambient temperature sensor (switch) is located either behind the front grille or in the front bumper. Its only job is to monitor air temperature (which it does through increasing/decreasing resistance in response to temperature fluctuations). This information is transmitted to the car’s computer, which then adjusts the climate control to meet your specifications.

If the ambient temperature sensor is damaged or fails, the car’s computer will not be able to automatically control the HVAC system, and the heater and air conditioner will only work in manual mode.

Keep in mind:

  • Because of its location, the ambient temperature sensor can be easily damaged in even minor front-end collisions.
  • Sensor failure is common even without an accident.

How it's done:

  • The ambient temperature sensor switch is verified to see if it needs to be replaced
  • The defective ambient temperature sensor switch is removed
  • The new ambient temperature sensor switch is installed
  • The ambient temperature sensor switch is tested for operation
  • The vehicle is tested to ensure proper operation of the ambient temperature sensor switch

Our recommendation:

Without the information provided by the ambient temperature sensor, your car’s computer does not have sufficient data to control the interior temperature, and will revert to manual HVAC control. You’ll still be able to use your air conditioner and heater, but only in manual mode, not in auto. If you suspect a problem with the ambient temperature sensor, have it diagnosed by one of our expert mechanics and replaced if necessary.

What common symptoms indicate you may need to replace the Ambient Temperature Sensor (Switch)?

  • HVAC auto mode will not work
  • HVAC auto mode produces delivers inconsistent/incorrect operation
  • HVAC will only work in manual mode
  • Outside temperatures may display incorrectly

How important is this service?

Having automatic climate control is definitely a convenience, but not critical to the operation of your vehicle. The heater will still operate to clear the windows and provide heating and cooling on manual mode. If the ambient temperature sensor is faulty, have it replaced.

Fast and easy service at your home or office

Backed by 12-month, 12.000-mile guarantee


Meet some of our expert Ford mechanics

Real customer reviews from Ford owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(35)

Rating Summary
35
0
0
0
0
35
0
0
0
0

Marco

29 years of experience
244 reviews
Marco
29 years of experience
Ford Explorer Sport V6-4.0L - Radiator Hose Repair - Fontana, California
Convenient and quick.

Kyle

22 years of experience
55 reviews
Kyle
22 years of experience
Ford Explorer Sport V6-4.0L - Car is not starting - Gainesville, Georgia
Kyle was amazing!!

Cyrus

35 years of experience
110 reviews
Cyrus
35 years of experience
Ford Explorer Sport V6-4.0L - Car starts and then dies - Atlanta, Georgia
He can work on my car any time thanks

Gregory

17 years of experience
37 reviews
Gregory
17 years of experience
Ford Explorer Sport V6-4.0L - Oil Change - Miami, Florida
He is a great mechanic..He did a oil change on my SUV. He also told me about something else that is going on with my SUV, and advised me in a very caring way what to do and the cost. He really knows his stuff very well.

Excellent Rating

(35)

Rating Summary
35
0
0
0
0
35
0
0
0
0
Number of Ford Explorer Sport services completed
385+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Ford MECHANICS
1700+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

How Long Do Air Shocks Last?
Your Your car suspension features shock absorbers to make your ride more comfortable. From the moment you press your foot on the accelerator pedal until the time that you take it off and park your car, your air shocks are...
How Long Does a Traction Control Switch Last?
Traction Traction control helps to prevent the vehicle from losing traction while you are driving down the road. The traction control system is turned on when the throttle input and engine torque do not match the road surface conditions. Some...
B1972 OBD-II Trouble Code: Passenger Rear Seat Up Switch Circuit Short to Battery
B1972 means there is a circuit failure in a passenger rear seat up switch, likely due to damaged electrical components or a faulty switch.

Chattering noises coming from transmission

Hello. From the symptoms you've described it would appear to me that there may be an issue with the clutch disc or perhaps flywheel. If the contact surfaces of either are excessively worn it may cause intermittent chatter, as you...

What will be the maintenance cost of Maybach exelero, the expensive car in the world .

Considering that this car is one of a kind, I can imagine that the maintenance costs of this vehicle would be very high. I would likely cost hundreds of dollars just to get an oil change. It would likely cost...

Burning oil and have to add oil from time to time. Could it be the valve cover gasket?

Valve covers leak externally and so a faulty cover gasket could not cause oil to burn in the combustion chambers (cylinders). If oil is burning in the engine cylinders it has to leak in either through the valves, in particular...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (844) 997-3624 · hi@yourmechanic.com