outside temp sensor on RT?

I test drove a RT not a RTS or RTL and it had the on dash outside temp displayed. I like this feature and was a little dissapointed when mine didnt come with it. does anybody know if the wires are there and if it would be a simple plug and play deal? I assume the fog light wires are are there too; or do you have to buy a harness?

I'm wondering the same thing.

My Chevy Blazer had a temp sensor that was extremely accurate and I miss it. There is also a safety factor in knowing when it is 32 degrees F and there could be wet ice on the road.

I test drove a RT not a RTS or RTL and it had the on dash outside temp displayed. I like this feature and was a little dissapointed when mine didnt come with it. does anybody know if the wires are there and if it would be a simple plug and play deal? I assume the fog light wires are are there too; or do you have to buy a harness?

Did you check your owner's manual?? I'm in an RTL & it has it on the dash. I was under the impression it came on all models. Check the manual & see what it says . . . I know it's addressed there.

The RT does not have the exterior temperature indicator.
It's standard on the RTS and RTL.

I'm looking to add this sensor and hoping that the truck and instrument cluster will be pre-wired from the factory and all i have to do is add a sensor to read the temp. Does anybody know where i can find a schematic on line?

You might want to start by seeing if the sensor or harness for it is located behind the front bumper. You should be able to see it through the lower vent in the bumper behind the left hand (drivers side) vane. The sensor feeds into the HVAC control unit which may be different on the RT because it doesn't have the dual zone climate control that the other models have.

I bought a "glo-time" thermometer clock today at a local Pamida store but it doesn't work right. If I can get one that works and if it does what I want on my RT I will report back.

http://causa.com/product_detail.lasso?-database=customa.fp5&-layout=products&-recordid=12587466&-search

http://ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2653

The base models in Canada all have aan outside temp guage. I drive an LX, which is the same as the RT, and I have one. :confused:

Hmmm. Thanks cnj and Hez. I know my truck was built in Canada. i'll make a trip to the dealer this weekend and see what i can come up with at the parts counter. I'll let you know.

Please keep us posted. I sure would like to have one.

I bought a temp sensor from Pamida last week. It is an indoor/outdoor thermometer and a clock. I stuck it above the light switch and ran the wire to the inside of the front bumper and stuck the sensor there. It seems to work pretty well but I will have to drive by the bank with the big temperature display to be sure.;)

Here is a picture:

5325

The RT does not have the exterior temperature indicator.
It's standard on the RTS and RTL.
Well I live in Canada and drive the LX which is the RT in America and my truck has an outside temperature sensor on the dash.

Well I live in Canada and drive the LX which is the RT in America and my truck has an outside temperature sensor on the dash.

That is unfair. I will have to ask Honda about that.:mad:

I hear you Canadians also get the heated mirrors in the base model. :(

Blame Canada!

That's correct - the full base LX spec can be found here (http://en.autos.sympatico.msn.ca/vip/PriceRpt.aspx?ModelID=10624&TrimID=8159)
The Honda Canada site seems to be all screwed up at the moment, so this was the best I could find, but it's still pretty comprehensive.
For comparison, the US specs are here (http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/spec_Interior.aspx?year=2006&make=Honda&model=Ridgeline&src=src)

This particular gizmo is one of my ongoing things, so I'm reviving the thread...

Having looked at the Accord add-on external temp gauge instructions, basically it involves installing the sensor (which is already on the RL) & an underdash control unit that hooks into the LCD display. If the Canadian "LX" models have the gauge, then there must be a standalone control unit available that works without the RTS/RTL/EX/EX-L air conditioning controls... Hmmm...

So, did anybody ever research the Canadian set up? Are the U.S. & Canadian models covered by separate service manuals?

I haven't done any research, but would like to add this to my RT.

I did check the Honda Canada site & the RT is listed as not having the external temp guage built in. But I do wonder if the Accord control unit might be compatible...

I was looking at the RTL parts catalogue and saw the sensor assembly. It's listed as a sensor for the AC system, but I'll bet its used for the temp display as well. I assume I could install this, but I don't know where I would see the temp displayed. Is it in the dash or is it in the AC gauge? I see you can also get the RTS/RTL AC guages ... I wonder if replacing these two parts (or anything else that's associated) would give the desired results.

I bought a temp sensor from Pamida last week. It is an indoor/outdoor thermometer and a clock. I stuck it above the light switch and ran the wire to the inside of the front bumper and stuck the sensor there. It seems to work pretty well but I will have to drive by the bank with the big temperature display to be sure.;)

Here is a picture:

5325
Hi Fred,
I like your new gizmo and it's placement on the dash. Can you give more specifics about it please, or an internet link, if you have it?
I've been looking around for an "indoor" thermometer to monitor the cab temp, but the dual would be a plus.
Thanks,
Pug

I was told by my dealer that the RT can not have the temp sensor and such added. I had it on all 5 of my Dakota's before and sure do miss it.

Hi Fred,
I like your new gizmo and it's placement on the dash. Can you give more specifics about it please, or an internet link, if you have it?
I've been looking around for an "indoor" thermometer to monitor the cab temp, but the dual would be a plus.
Thanks,
Pug
I purchased the same gizmo at Pep Boys. It does have internal and external temperature, and an external sensor is mounted on the door sill. The only annoying thing about this thermometer is that it keeps reverting back to celsius even though I have it set to farenheit. Otherwise, it works well.

I was told by my dealer that the RT can not have the temp sensor and such added. I had it on all 5 of my Dakota's before and sure do miss it.

For you to gain this function, you would have to replace your HVAC controls with the ones in the RTL since that is where the temperature display hardware is.

Be glad you didn't pay for it. The temperature guage is about as accurate as your local weatherman which in my case isn't saying much.

For you to gain this function, you would have to replace your HVAC controls with the ones in the RTL since that is where the temperature display hardware is.

Be glad you didn't pay for it. The temperature guage is about as accurate as your local weatherman which in my case isn't saying much.

Are you sure about this Chris? I can't imagine that the Canadian LX (same as RT) has the dual climate zone controls. I checked and I do have the ambient air temperature sensor in the grill/bumper on my RTX, So what piece of the puzzle we are missing?

I have the Canadian LX model and it has the temperature guage. I find it reads about 5 degrees C too low for the actual outside temerature even after having adjusted the "correction factor" on the dash to -3. My 01 Montana had one and other than being about a degree out at moderate temperatures and perhaps two at hottest/ coldest temperatures it was fairly accurate. I suspect that the problem for our American friends with the RT models is that the speedometer cluster (where the temp guage readout is) is in kilometers up here and in mph for you all south of the border. I could be wrong as why would they make a seperate cluster for the RT and RTL? I am going to go to my dealer and have the thing checked out on warranty for accuracy. I will probably by a cheap digital guage at Wally-World to have something to compare it with. I can then mount that one on my travel trailer.