Mazda 3 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

(4,454)

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

(4,454)

Ambient Temperature Sensor (Switch) Replacement Service

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

On average, the cost for a Mazda 3 Sport Ambient Temperature Sensor (Switch) Replacement is $150 with $55 for parts and $95 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
2012 Mazda 3 SportL4-2.5LService typeAmbient Temperature Sensor (Switch) ReplacementEstimate$224.81Shop/Dealer Price$262.27 - $352.13
2013 Mazda 3 SportL4-2.5LService typeAmbient Temperature Sensor (Switch) ReplacementEstimate$204.81Shop/Dealer Price$242.28 - $332.16
2010 Mazda 3 SportL4-2.0LService typeAmbient Temperature Sensor (Switch) ReplacementEstimate$303.63Shop/Dealer Price$365.81 - $529.80
2018 Mazda 3 SportL4-2.5LService typeAmbient Temperature Sensor (Switch) ReplacementEstimate$246.61Shop/Dealer Price$294.51 - $415.72
2009 Mazda 3 SportL4-2.0LService typeAmbient Temperature Sensor (Switch) ReplacementEstimate$260.03Shop/Dealer Price$311.32 - $442.63
2017 Mazda 3 SportL4-2.5LService typeAmbient Temperature Sensor (Switch) ReplacementEstimate$303.63Shop/Dealer Price$365.81 - $529.80
2014 Mazda 3 SportL4-2.0LService typeAmbient Temperature Sensor (Switch) ReplacementEstimate$265.03Shop/Dealer Price$316.17 - $447.36
2016 Mazda 3 SportL4-2.5LService typeAmbient Temperature Sensor (Switch) ReplacementEstimate$209.81Shop/Dealer Price$247.52 - $337.58
Show example Mazda 3 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 Mazda mechanics

Real customer reviews from Mazda owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(4,454)

Rating Summary
4,187
142
36
18
71
4,187
142
36
18
71

Refugio

21 years of experience
110 reviews
Refugio
21 years of experience
Mazda 3 Sport L4-2.0L - Axle / CV Shaft Assembly Replacement (Passenger Side Front) - San Antonio, Texas
Awesome job by robert

Augie

31 years of experience
263 reviews
Augie
31 years of experience
Mazda MX-5 Miata L4-2.0L - Rear lights are not working - Sylmar, California
Augie was thorough and friendly. He identified the problem quickly and offered a solution that saved me time and money.

Joe

43 years of experience
822 reviews
Joe
43 years of experience
Mazda 3 L4-2.0L - Car AC Repair - Saint Petersburg, Florida
everything went pretty well. My appointment had to be rescheduled a couple times but Joe was always in touch in advance. The repair went smoothly and the car is working well. Would totally recommend!

Gregory

11 years of experience
27 reviews
Gregory
11 years of experience
Mazda B2600 L4-2.6L - Car is not starting - Fresno, California
Good communication, thorough check of the vehicle, left the vehicle in better shape than he found it outside of the reason for the call (replaced an old nasty bolt, filled tires with air, etc.), and was even nice to my dog.

Excellent Rating

(4,454)

Rating Summary
4,187
142
36
18
71
4,187
142
36
18
71
Number of Mazda services completed
48994+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Mazda MECHANICS
1100+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

How Do Power Car Windows Increase Passenger Safety?
Power Power windows are responsible for approximately 2,000 emergency room visits every year. When a power window closes, it exerts enough force to bruise or break bones, crush fingers, or restrict an airway. Though power windows exert large amounts of...
P0314 OBD-II Trouble Code: Single Cylinder Misfire (Cylinder not Specified)
P0314 P0314 code definition A P0314 trouble code indicates that the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) has detected an engine misfire in a single cylinder that was powerful enough to damage the catalytic converter. In conjunction with the storage of the...
How to Troubleshoot a Car That is Hard to Start
"Car not starting" is a common complaint among car owners and is caused by faulty car batteries, spark plugs, car starter, or fuel pump.

Car window dropped down into door

Hello! The most common cause of the window falling into the door is the window regulator becoming defective. The door panel must first be removed in order to inspect the pulleys and cables attached to the regulators. Usually the cables...

No power steering

Hi there. You can be experiencing quite a few issues with your steering system. You will have difficulty in your steering if your fluid level is low, there is air in your system, your rack and pinion arms are not...

Power steering leak on a '95 Dodge Ram 2500

You've got to find where the leak is (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-diagnose-a-fluid-leak-by-mark-vallet) coming from. Power steering pumps (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-power-steering-hose) put out 1500 PSI or more at times. So, wherever the leak is, you are going to see it squirting out. From there you can...

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