Thermometer for an '05 LX Installed

[andysinnh]

Thought I'd share my experience with installing the accessory thermometer for an '05 LX. One of the things I missed by picking the LX, and once you've got a thermometer, you "need" it always. :-)

I got the accessory kit and it took about 90 minutes to install. I took my time, and made sure I routed the under-hood wiring loom neatly - that took a bit of time, especially removing the trim pieces to get at the routing area. The install part under the dash was quicker - just plug in a few connectors, connect to ground, and replace the under-dash trim.

Not sure how the EX works, but on the LX, it uses the odometer display, and alternates with the main odometer as you hit the trip odo button. I'll keep the outside temp and trip odo A display - what I use most of the time.

I really appreciate the way honda makes their electronic accessories with plug-in connectors - unlike some of the GM's I've had in the past. Makes a neat and clean install!

andy

[piturra]

Thought I'd share my experience with installing the accessory thermometer for an '05 LX. One of the things I missed by picking the LX, and once you've got a thermometer, you "need" it always. :-)

I got the accessory kit and it took about 90 minutes to install. I took my time, and made sure I routed the under-hood wiring loom neatly - that took a bit of time, especially removing the trim pieces to get at the routing area. The install part under the dash was quicker - just plug in a few connectors, connect to ground, and replace the under-dash trim.

Not sure how the EX works, but on the LX, it uses the odometer display, and alternates with the main odometer as you hit the trip odo button. I'll keep the outside temp and trip odo A display - what I use most of the time.

I really appreciate the way honda makes their electronic accessories with plug-in connectors - unlike some of the GM's I've had in the past. Makes a neat and clean install!

andy

Nice detailed explaination Andy!

The EX works the same, and I rotate between the 'outside temp / trip A' to 'odometer / trip A'.

Our 2004 Pilot w/NAV 'outside temp' function is the same as our Accords! It's a very nice option :thmsup: and the 'outside temp' was one of the options that got me started in seriously considering the EX-L during my research phase! ... then the 'heated seats' - like our Pilot, ... then the leather seats and trim - like our Pilot, ... 8-way powered driver seat - like our Pilot, ... etc.!!!

The only thing that I wish my Accord had vs. our Pilot is the 'Heated Driver/Passenger Side Mirrors'!!! Now that's a nice feature :yes: during the fall/winter time!!! Probably see that added in the 2006 Accords!

Phil

[odk]

I had some issues with temperature readings being accurate. See below on how to make adjustments to compensate for deviations.




Here are the instructions to adjust your temp gauge =/- 3 degrees Fahrenheit:

1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.

2. Push and hold the reset select button (the one for trip odometer resets and dash light brightness) for 10 seconds. While you continue to hold the button the display will scroll through temperature settings from +3 to -3 degress as follows, 0, 1, 2, 3, -3, -2, -1, and repeat.

3. When the desired correction value appears on the display, release the button, and the recalibrated outside air temp. will be displayed.


Here are some interesting facts (i think) on how the thermometer is set up to read tempratures

Outside temperature indicator logic at ignition switch ON (II):
If the engine coolant temperature is 140 F (60C) or higher when the ignition switch is turned ON, the
outside temperature indicated when the key was last turned OFF will be displayed regardless of the
current temperature measured by the outside air temperature sensor.
If the engine coolant temperature is 139 F (59C) or lower when the ignition switch is turned ON, the current
temperature measured by the outside air temperature sensor will be displayed.

Outside air temperature indicator update:
If the outside air temperature sensor is warmer than the temperature on the outside air temperature
indicator, the outside temperature indicator will increase by 1F (1C) per minute when the vehicle speed is
greater than 19 mph (30 km/h) for more than 30 seconds. With this logic, the first update to the outside
temperature indicator happens 1 minute and 30 seconds after the vehicle has reached 19 mph (30 km/h)
as long as the speed does not drop below 19 mph again. After the initial update, it will continue to update
once per minute until the current outside temperature is indicated.
If the vehicle speed drops below 19 mph, the indicator will not update again until the vehicle speed is
increased to 19 mph or more for more than 1 minute and 30 seconds again.
If the outside air temperature sensor is cooler than the displayed temperature, the outside temperature
reading will decrease 1F (1C) every 2 seconds until the current outside temperature is displayed
regardless of vehicle speed.

How 'bout them apples. Those boys were eally thinking when they thought this stuff up :D

[BenjiBoy650]

I had some issues with temperature readings being accurate. See below on how to make adjustments to compensate for deviations.




Here are the instructions to adjust your temp gauge =/- 3 degrees Fahrenheit:

1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.

2. Push and hold the reset select button (the one for trip odometer resets and dash light brightness) for 10 seconds. While you continue to hold the button the display will scroll through temperature settings from +3 to -3 degress as follows, 0, 1, 2, 3, -3, -2, -1, and repeat.

3. When the desired correction value appears on the display, release the button, and the recalibrated outside air temp. will be displayed.


Here are some interesting facts (i think) on how the thermometer is set up to read tempratures

Outside temperature indicator logic at ignition switch ON (II):
If the engine coolant temperature is 140 F (60C) or higher when the ignition switch is turned ON, the
outside temperature indicated when the key was last turned OFF will be displayed regardless of the
current temperature measured by the outside air temperature sensor.
If the engine coolant temperature is 139 F (59C) or lower when the ignition switch is turned ON, the current
temperature measured by the outside air temperature sensor will be displayed.

Outside air temperature indicator update:
If the outside air temperature sensor is warmer than the temperature on the outside air temperature
indicator, the outside temperature indicator will increase by 1F (1C) per minute when the vehicle speed is
greater than 19 mph (30 km/h) for more than 30 seconds. With this logic, the first update to the outside
temperature indicator happens 1 minute and 30 seconds after the vehicle has reached 19 mph (30 km/h)
as long as the speed does not drop below 19 mph again. After the initial update, it will continue to update
once per minute until the current outside temperature is indicated.
If the vehicle speed drops below 19 mph, the indicator will not update again until the vehicle speed is
increased to 19 mph or more for more than 1 minute and 30 seconds again.
If the outside air temperature sensor is cooler than the displayed temperature, the outside temperature
reading will decrease 1F (1C) every 2 seconds until the current outside temperature is displayed
regardless of vehicle speed.

How 'bout them apples. Those boys were eally thinking when they thought this stuff up :D

Ya, don't you wish that there was as much thought put into other parts of the car? Like the brakes? How about all those rattles? haha

[arom]

Can someone elaborate why you can’t install the temp sensor if you installed the fog lights after factory? I installed the fogs myself and looked at the instructions for the temp sensor and it is baffling why you can’t have both. Has anybody installed both after the car was purchased?

I really want to have both accessories.........

[EXLNavi]

I've found that it is reasonably accurate, at least compared to public thermometers I've seen along the road, and it's in reasonable agreement with the temperature on XM instant traffic and weather or local weather reports.

[princess]

I really want to have both accessories.........


As I understand it, it's because of wiring issues.... so if you do it yourself it CAN be done.... You'd need to have a decent understanding of the car's electrical systems to know where you can connect it to. Like which fuses.... I don't have, nor can I get the needed info since it's not "honda's" way. Not "plug & play"!

"nothing is impossible, just some things take a little longer" :D

[andysinnh]

Having looked at the installation of the temp sensor, I think the issue is the draw on the fog lights with the thermometer on the same wiring harness. If you have multiple accessories, they have you use a jumper on the wiring harness on the inside of the car. On the outside (under the hood) there's no jumper on the harness, and I believe that the LX harness has only 1 set of wires while the EX probably has two. Sharing the fog lights and the thermometer on the same wire probably creates an overload.

At least that's my cut on why they say that... :-)

andy

[jbuffethed]

Thats one accessory I've wanted to get, but just keep putting off. All I know is if my nose hairs freeze or my eye lids start freezing together that its well below 0

[ssjones]

Are they still around $90 for the thermometer? I'd love to have one, particularly in the winter when I'm all over the East Coast, nice to know when it dips below freezing. I tried a $15 vehicle thermometer from Walmart, but they only work accurately for a short while. As many miles as I drive, I should probably bite the bullet. (03 @ 115k)

[ssjones]

I finally got around to ordering the temp gauge. My local Honda dealer sent me a $100 Gift Card that I applied to the purchase. I had to kick in $40, not bad. I'm installing tomorrow, nice to reread this post which makes the install sound easier than the instructions appear. I'll post an update tomorrow with an accurate temp reading, hopefully...

[Peniole]

So you lose the Trip B ODO when you install the temp sensor? I love the fact I have 2 Trip ODOs, one to reset with every tank (MPG calculation), and one for actual trips.

Hmmm since I've paid the car off I've been itching to get something. I couldn't even find decent seat cushions (sine we can't have seat covers). Which brings the question any suggestions on how to keep the fabric seats looking new?

[ssjones]

So you lose the Trip B ODO when you install the temp sensor? I love the fact I have 2 Trip ODOs, one to reset with every tank (MPG calculation), and one for actual trips.

Hmmm since I've paid the car off I've been itching to get something. I couldn't even find decent seat cushions (sine we can't have seat covers). Which brings the question any suggestions on how to keep the fabric seats looking new?
No, you still have the A/B trip meters. On Trip Meter A, the temp is also displayed. It replaces the odometer reading in that mode.
Installed this afternoon, pretty easy. I love this plug-n-play Honda stuff, they make it simple.
It looks pretty accurate so far. I have a restaurant digital/infared thermeter to use if it appears to be off a few degrees.
I travel frequently (150k on my '03) and knowing when it drops below 32 degrees will be comforting.

[ItsaHonda]

I travel frequently (150k on my '03) >>>

This will be a good experiment to test the reliability/longevity of the K24 vs. the old Honda 4-bangers - keep on truckin! :thmsup:

[MajorDad]

I added the outside temp guage soon after buying the accord. I put it in because our Odyssey has it and I liked the option. Now if I could find an indash six disk CD changer so I wouldn't have to put one in the lower storage area.

RNC