Home / DTC / B2914 — Outside Ambient Temperature Sensor Circuit Fault

B2914 — Outside Ambient Temperature Sensor Circuit Fault

Detailed page for trouble code B2914.

34,405codes
59brands
11,914generic
22,491specific
Reset
Code

B2914

Generic B — Body

Outside Ambient Temperature Sensor Circuit Fault

Brand: Generic
Type: B — Body
AI status
Completed
ready
Completed 100%
Page language: EN

Causes

  • Failed outside ambient temperature (OAT) sensor (thermistor)
  • Open circuit (broken wire, damaged harness) between sensor and control module
  • Short to ground or battery (power) in the sensor circuit
  • Corroded or loose sensor connector or pins (water intrusion)
  • Faulty body/climate control module or poor ground at module
  • Intermittent connection due to movement or damaged insulation

Symptoms

  • Incorrect or no outside temperature display on dash
  • HVAC auto mode behaves incorrectly (wrong fan/recirculation decisions)
  • Ambient temp may be stuck at a single value or show extreme/erratic values
  • Possible service message related to climate or ambient sensor
  • No drivability symptoms in most cases (not an engine code)

What to check

  • Use a scan tool to read freeze-frame and live OAT value; check whether value is static, out-of-range, or intermittent
  • Visually inspect sensor location (usually front bumper/behind grille), connector, and wiring for damage or corrosion
  • Check for trouble codes stored in body/climate and related modules
  • Probe connector with multimeter: measure sensor resistance (with sensor disconnected) and voltage (key ON) at the harness/connector
  • Check continuity between sensor connector and control module connector; check for short to ground or battery
  • Wiggle harness and sensor while monitoring live data to identify intermittent faults

Signal parameters

  • Typical sensor type: NTC thermistor (negative-temperature-coefficient)
  • Approx. resistance (examples for a common 10 kΩ @25°C NTC): -40°C: >100 kΩ (very high), 0°C: ~30–40 kΩ, 25°C: ~8–12 kΩ, 40°C: ~4–6 kΩ (values vary by sensor)
  • Expected voltage at sensor circuit (with typical pull-up): roughly 0.3–4.7 V across ambient temperature range (exact values depend on vehicle pull-up resistor and module reference voltage)
  • Open circuit: resistance = infinite or very high; short to ground: voltage ≈ 0 V; short to battery/pull-up: voltage ≈ reference (often 5 V)

Diagnostic algorithm

  1. Read and record freeze-frame data and current live OAT readings with a scan tool. Note related codes in other modules.
  2. Inspect sensor location and connector for physical damage, contamination, or water ingress. Replace or clean if corroded.
  3. With ignition ON (engine off), backprobe sensor connector harness side: measure voltage between signal and ground. Compare to expected range. If signal ~0 V or ~reference voltage, proceed to step 5.
  4. Remove sensor and measure resistance across sensor terminals at ambient temperature. Compare to manufacturer specification or typical NTC values (e.g., ~10 kΩ at 25°C). If sensor out-of-spec, replace sensor.
  5. If sensor resistance is good but harness signal abnormal, perform continuity check between sensor connector and module connector; check for short to ground and short to battery. Repair any wiring faults.
  6. If wiring and sensor test good but code persists, inspect module grounds and power supplies. Repair any poor grounds or power issues.
  7. If harness, sensor, and module power/grounds are confirmed good, consider replacing the body/climate control module or consult manufacturer technical service bulletins.
  8. After repair, clear codes and verify correct OAT readings and system operation over a test drive and by comparing to an independent thermometer. Re-check for reappearance of code.

Likely causes

  • Open or high-resistance circuit at sensor connector (water/corrosion)
  • Failed sensor (thermistor out of spec)
  • Short to ground or battery in harness near sensor
  • Connector pushed into splash zone with corrosion
  • Control module input fault (less common)

Fault status

⚠️ Status
Outside Ambient Temperature Sensor Circuit Fault (open/short/intermittent) — check sensor, wiring, and module inputs.
🟡 Repair difficulty: Medium
⏱️ Diagnostic time: 0.5-1.5 hours

Similar codes

9,282

The library contains 9,282 repair and diagnostic manuals. Choose a brand to open the full manual tree by year, model and trim.

Your experience will help others
+100 karma for a short comment :)
Send to email