The evaporator temperature sensor is part of the vehicle's electrical air conditioning system. It's a sensor inside the air conditioner that reads the air temperature behind the evaporator (another part of the air conditioning system). After the sensor reads the temperature, it sends that information to the vehicle's computer, which "reads" the information and decides if the evaporator is too warm or too cold. If the computer understands that the evaporator is too cold, it'll tell the air conditioning system to lower the temperature to avoid the freezing of the evaporator. So, the sensor is basically watching the evaporator's temperature to protect it from freezing.
Signs of a faulty evaporator sensor.
- Freezing of hoses.
- Spontaneous switching off and switching on of the compressor.
- The air conditioner does not work, and there is no cold air.
- The air conditioning controls do not work.
In this case, contact a car service to diagnose the problem. If it turns out that your temperature sensor on the air conditioner evaporator is not working, you just need to replace it. It is better to replace the sensor in a specialized car service, since when performing work on replacing the sensor, certain knowledge, skills, and abilities are required, and a special tool is also required.
The main stages of work on replacing the evaporator sensor
- Diagnostics of the electrical system of the car.
- Installation of the sensor on a car may vary slightly depending on the model, but as a rule, it is located in the area of the dashboard behind the instrument panel. It may be necessary to remove the protective parts of the instrument panel to gain access to the sensor.
- Work must be performed with the battery disconnected.
- Dismantling the sensor, having first disconnected the sensor power connector.
- Installation of a new sensor.
- Diagnostics of the air conditioner.
- Installation of protective elements.
