2006 Colorado Mirror Temp Sensor

BusterDog · May 13, 2008

My Colorado has the auto dimming rear view mirror with compass & temperature display. It is factory installed, as far as I can tell. The temperature always reads OC. I'm looking for the sensor, but can not find it. Where did the put those on the Colorado?

The truck is still under warranty. Is this covered?

Thanks.

98silvz71 · May 14, 2008

My Colorado has the auto dimming rear view mirror with compass & temperature display. It is factory installed, as far as I can tell. The temperature always reads OC. I'm looking for the sensor, but can not find it. Where did the put those on the Colorado?
The truck is still under warranty. Is this covered?

Thanks.

Not sure exactly but on the Silvy's they are in the tranny mount or off to the side of the radiator in plain sight from the grill.

cammiller · May 14, 2008

Behind the center bar in the grille.

BusterDog · May 15, 2008

Thanks for the replies.

I just found out it's covered under warranty. I'm taking it to the dealer tomorrow.

preist · May 19, 2008

Hey BusterDog did the dealer explain what was at fault? I have the same temperature reading on my mirror (0C) and since I'm well past warrenty (2002 Sierra) I'll want to fix it myself. Did they replace the temperature sensor, was it an electrical connection issue, or worse was it the mirror electronics itself?

Thanks.

BusterDog · May 20, 2008

Well my appointment was rescheduled for 5/22. I'll let you know what I find out.

preist · May 20, 2008

Thanks and good luck.

BusterDog · May 22, 2008

The GM service guy told me that it can't be the original mirror for the truck, & that the original mirror wouldn't even have a temperature display.

That's strange because the mirror is exactly like the one shown in the owners manual.

But there is no wiring for a sensor behind the grill.

waltv · May 22, 2008

If your vehicle doesn't have RPO code DF8, then it shouldn't have the mirror with the temperature display. However if that were the case, how is the mirror even recieving power to display OC?

BusterDog · May 22, 2008

It has power to display the compass.

waltv · May 22, 2008

From what I can find there are only two types of powered mirrors. One uses a 16-way connector and has the On Star functions built into it. One uses a 7-way connector and has the temperature display built into it. I don't see how you'd have a stock 7-way connector plugged into the back of the mirror powering it up and not have the ambient air temperature sensor circuit ran as well. Its possible that a previous owner tried to do some 'jack leg' upgrade, but that seems unlikely. At any rate if you truely don't have a circuit ran for the ambient air temperature sensor, it wouldn't be that hard to run one yourself. Its just a signal wire and a low reference wire ran to a $5 dollar sensor. Its displaying OC (open circuit) because it sees an open in the temp sensor circuit. The other option is to display SC (short circuit), which means a short in the temp sensor circuit. Anyway since this should still be under warranty, you might just want to go get a second opinion. You can also ask the service department run your VIN through GM VIS and get a print out of your vehicle build. It will have all the RPO codes that your vehicle was shipped with. If DF8 is there, your truck is supposed to have the temp display. Sounds like you have more problems with BS than the open sensor/circuit.

BusterDog · May 27, 2008

Sounds like you have more problems with BS than the open sensor/circuit.

I think you are right.

The service guy told me that the previous owner brought in the truck with the same problem at 8,000 miles. The previous owner got the same answer I did.

I do have the 7 pin connector. I traced the wires down under the dash to where they enter a large bundle of wires.

Do you know where the temp probe wires can be found under the hood?

Thanks.

preist · June 30, 2008

Todd, I finally got around to taking the front grill off and looking for the temperature sensor. It is mounted on my vehicle (2002 Sierra) just off center in front of the radiator in plain sight. I unplugged it and measured the resistance and sure enough it was an open circuit. Sticking a paper clip in the plug changed the mirror display to 'SC' or short circuit.

Note - when I ordered the replacement sensor from the dealer ($6) it didn't come with the mount. So if you are running your own, be sure to order the mount for the sensor - it looks like a very inexpensive plastic piece but will save you the headache of making your own mount.

Cheers.