Where is Vent Temperature Air Out (TAO) Sensor (Honda/Acura Climate Control) - if it exists?

[don-7519]

Hi,
2005 Acura TSX. Started troubleshooting a warm-blowing air conditioner - the lazy way while still sitting in the car - using the dashboard controls.

First the audio/Navi/HVAC display self-diagnosis for climate control, which returned no codes.
Then continued with the Climate Control sensor input display mode...
So, ever curious about things that likely have nothing to do with the actual problem, the question is re: Sensor 9, "Vent Temperature Air Out (TAO)":
is that a physical sensor or calculated value? Didn't see it on any parts diagrams - and a temp of C9 (-20˚F, by their chart) is suspect.

If of interest, the readings taken sometime after car illumination had changed from sun to shade:
Sensor Value Description
1 33 In-car Temperature Sensor ˚C
2 27 Ambient Temperature ˚C
3 05 Solar Radiation Sensor Value Kcal/m^2.h
4 80 Engine coolant Temperature ˚C
5 32 Evaporator Outlet Air Temperature ˚C
6 D2 Driver's Air Mix % of opening
7 01 Passenger's Air Mix % of opening
8 00 Vehicle Speed Km/h
9 C9 Vent Temperature Air Out (TAO) ˚C

 

[Jetronic]

You can't get it to work in manual mode either? vent temps shouldn't matter then

-20°F sounds like either no NTC sensor present or a break.

 

[FowVay]

Welcome to the forum. Search for part number 80530-SDA-A41 for your car and see if that could be the temperature sensor. Possibly use that as a starting point.

Acura shows the location of this part on their parts diagram to help you locate it in your vehicle.

 

[don-7519]

Appreciate the comments.

>Search for part number 80530-SDA-A41
The 80530-SDA-A41 does looks like the "In-car Temperature Sensor" in the service manual diagram. Really was just curious whether there was another sensor - not obvious to me in the diagrams - somewhere near the vents. (Imagined maybe near the blower.) Since it would be doing the same job, would likely be that same part number.

>You can't get it to work in manual mode either? vent temps shouldn't matter then
Yeah. As far as the actual hot-air problem, everything is apparently working - relays, fuses, fans, compressor/clutch, blower. Don't have manifold gauges, etc, so guessing a recharge of refrigerant - 18 years after the factory fill - might be in order.

 

[SHOZ]

Usually the in car temp is sucking in interior air and is behind a little vent and has a hose attached. The evap sensor would cycle the compressor just above freezing.