# Forester ambient temperature sensor

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/forester-ambient-temperature-sensor/10406>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** forester, sensors, overheating\
**Created:** [February 9, 2008, 4:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/forester-ambient-temperature-sensor/10406 "2008-02-09T16:55:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![JoninCT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3ab097/32.png) [@JoninCT](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JoninCT)\
**Post date:** [February 9, 2008, 4:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/forester-ambient-temperature-sensor/10406/1 "2008-02-09T16:55:27Z")

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The ambient temperature sensor in our 2004 Forester isn’t working correctly. On startup in a cool garage (40+F) it’ll read 95 to 100. If it’s really cold out when driving it might go down to 90. It could go to 106 or so if not too cold.  
  
 Questions: Where exactly is it? Can I tell what’s wrong with it? Can I replace it?

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**Author:** ![pj1071](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/48db29/32.png) [@pj1071](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pj1071)\
**Post date:** [February 9, 2008, 6:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/forester-ambient-temperature-sensor/10406/2 "2008-02-09T18:39:36Z")

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That’s not something we’ve had a problem with on any Subarus we service. You being in CT, I would suspect corrosion in the connector for the sensor. That would increase the resistance in the circuit, thereby altering your measurement. I will be in my shop tomorrow and post where it’s located if I can verify it. most cars have them mounted in the front air stream behind the front bumper or a brake cooling duct. Usually it pops into a small round hole, has two wires going to it, and a long skinny probe maybe 1 1/2 inches long.