Subaru WRX STI Ambient Temperature Sensor (Switch) Replacement at your home or office.

Our mobile mechanics offer services 7 days a week. Upfront and transparent pricing.

Estimate price near me

Service Location

Customer Ratings

(8)

Included for free with this service

Online Booking

Mechanic comes to you

12-month / 12k-mile warranty

Free 50 point safety inspection

Our certified mobile mechanics can come to your home or office 7 days a week between 7 AM and 9 PM.

Customer Ratings

(8)

Ambient Temperature Sensor (Switch) Replacement Service

How much does a Ambient Temperature Sensor (Switch) Replacement cost?

On average, the cost for a Subaru WRX STI Ambient Temperature Sensor (Switch) Replacement is $156 with $61 for parts and $95 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
2017 Subaru WRX STIH4-2.5L TurboService typeAmbient Temperature Sensor (Switch) ReplacementEstimate$236.43Shop/Dealer Price$276.79 - $375.37
2018 Subaru WRX STIH4-2.5L TurboService typeAmbient Temperature Sensor (Switch) ReplacementEstimate$216.43Shop/Dealer Price$256.81 - $355.40
2014 Subaru WRX STIH4-2.5L TurboService typeAmbient Temperature Sensor (Switch) ReplacementEstimate$260.03Shop/Dealer Price$311.31 - $442.60
2015 Subaru WRX STIH4-2.5L TurboService typeAmbient Temperature Sensor (Switch) ReplacementEstimate$216.43Shop/Dealer Price$256.79 - $355.36
2016 Subaru WRX STIH4-2.5L TurboService typeAmbient Temperature Sensor (Switch) ReplacementEstimate$216.43Shop/Dealer Price$256.82 - $355.43
2013 Subaru WRX STIH4-2.5L TurboService typeAmbient Temperature Sensor (Switch) ReplacementEstimate$260.03Shop/Dealer Price$311.31 - $442.60
Show example Subaru WRX STI Ambient Temperature Sensor (Switch) Replacement prices

What is the Ambient Temperature Sensor (Switch) all about?

Modern automotive HVAC systems have advanced by leaps and bounds over those used just a few years ago. Today, many high and even mid-range cars offer automatic climate control. This function basically allows you to “set it and forget it,” allowing the car’s computer to control the heating and cooling based on your preferred interior temperature. In order to do this, the computer needs information about not only the temperature inside the car, but also the ambient temperature outside the car.

The ambient temperature sensor (switch) is located either behind the front grille or in the front bumper. Its only job is to monitor air temperature (which it does through increasing/decreasing resistance in response to temperature fluctuations). This information is transmitted to the car’s computer, which then adjusts the climate control to meet your specifications.

If the ambient temperature sensor is damaged or fails, the car’s computer will not be able to automatically control the HVAC system, and the heater and air conditioner will only work in manual mode.

Keep in mind:

  • Because of its location, the ambient temperature sensor can be easily damaged in even minor front-end collisions.
  • Sensor failure is common even without an accident.

How it's done:

  • The ambient temperature sensor switch is verified to see if it needs to be replaced
  • The defective ambient temperature sensor switch is removed
  • The new ambient temperature sensor switch is installed
  • The ambient temperature sensor switch is tested for operation
  • The vehicle is tested to ensure proper operation of the ambient temperature sensor switch

Our recommendation:

Without the information provided by the ambient temperature sensor, your car’s computer does not have sufficient data to control the interior temperature, and will revert to manual HVAC control. You’ll still be able to use your air conditioner and heater, but only in manual mode, not in auto. If you suspect a problem with the ambient temperature sensor, have it diagnosed by one of our expert mechanics and replaced if necessary.

What common symptoms indicate you may need to replace the Ambient Temperature Sensor (Switch)?

  • HVAC auto mode will not work
  • HVAC auto mode produces delivers inconsistent/incorrect operation
  • HVAC will only work in manual mode
  • Outside temperatures may display incorrectly

How important is this service?

Having automatic climate control is definitely a convenience, but not critical to the operation of your vehicle. The heater will still operate to clear the windows and provide heating and cooling on manual mode. If the ambient temperature sensor is faulty, have it replaced.

Fast and easy service at your home or office

Backed by 12-month, 12.000-mile guarantee


Meet some of our expert Subaru mechanics

Real customer reviews from Subaru owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(8)

Rating Summary
7
1
0
0
0
7
1
0
0
0

Omar

12 years of experience
287 reviews
Omar
12 years of experience
Subaru WRX STI H4-2.5L Turbo - Clunking or knocking noise from wheels - Pompano Beach, Florida
Showed up early. Very knowledgeable. Polite. Was a pleasure to have him work for me

Marco

11 years of experience
73 reviews
Marco
11 years of experience
Subaru WRX STI H4-2.5L Turbo - Brake Rotor/Disc Replacement (Front) - Newport Beach, California
Marco was early, finished fast!

Simon

27 years of experience
283 reviews
Simon
27 years of experience
Subaru WRX STI H4-2.5L Turbo - Clutch pedal goes all the way to the floor - Arlington, Virginia
Good

Emmette

36 years of experience
282 reviews
Emmette
36 years of experience
Subaru WRX STI H4-2.5L Turbo - Pre-purchase Car Inspection - Stafford, Virginia
Emmette was great! He did a great detailed job on inspecting the car I was looking at possibly buying. He was on time and very knowledgeable. I would use Emmette and the server again.

Excellent Rating

(8)

Rating Summary
7
1
0
0
0
7
1
0
0
0
Number of Subaru WRX STI services completed
88+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Subaru MECHANICS
700+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

The Best Used Cars to Buy If You Live in a Rainy Area
When When considering purchasing a used car, you have a lot of decisions to make. You need to consider price, size, gas mileage, how much cargo space you need, and of course the appearance of the car as well. And...
Child Seat Safety Laws in Virginia
When When you secure your child in a properly installed child seat, you reduce his or her chances of being injured in a motor vehicle accident by 69%, and of being killed by 71%. It just makes sense to obey...
Top 10 Used luxury Cars that Don’t Require Premium Gas
Generally, Generally, there’s an idea that if you drive a luxury car, you need to put premium gas (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/do-you-really-need-premium-gas-by-jason-unrau) in your tank. The concept is almost as universal that luxury car owners have the money to fuel their cars with...

Bad u-joint making noise.

Hello. As a Jeep ages, many of the front end parts can wear out and become loose. From the description of the noise it sounds like you either have a worn out front shock or you may have a bad...

My temperature warning light is on, I've been parked for almost an hour to let the engine cool down. The temperature gauge cursor

The reason your heater was not working was because your engine did not have enough coolant in the engine to pump it into the heater system. You have overheated the motor now. You will need to find out when the...

What parts would I need to fix brake fluid leaking from my front front inside wheel?

Hello, thank you for writing in. While replacing the brake pads and rotors is standard service after they wear down, they would not cause a fluid leak. You likely have two separate brake system issues happening at the same time....

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (855) 347-2779 · hi@yourmechanic.com