Lexus RC AC and Temperature Sensor Issue

I'm having a strange issue with my 2018 Lexus RC with a gasoline engine. It's got about 59000 km on it. Recently, I've been getting an error message on the speedometer, and the air conditioning won't turn on at all. I scanned for error codes, and it's showing something about a defective temperature sensor in the heat exchanger. Has anyone experienced anything similar? I'm a bit worried it could be something serious with the cooling system, or maybe just a sensor malfunction. I tried looking up the temperature gauge and sensor calibration, but I can't seem to find enough information about my Lexus model.

4 comment(s)

I had a similar issue with my RC. If the error message is persistent and the AC isn't working, it's likely the AC control unit. The error code relating to the temperature sensor is a common symptom. Was any work recently done on the car's cooling system?

Thanks for the quick reply! No, no recent work on the cooling system at all. That's what's so weird about it. I was hoping it was just a loose connection or something simple, but since you've seen something similar, I'm starting to think it might be the control unit itself. Is that a common problem with our cars? How did you resolve it?

Yes, that's exactly what it was in my case. While it could theoretically be a faulty sensor or wiring, the defective AC control unit is the more probable cause, especially since the error is triggering multiple issues. To be sure, I would suggest a diagnostic check at a certified workshop. They should be able to pinpoint the exact fault.

Okay, thanks so much for the advice! I really appreciate knowing I'm not alone with this issue. I'll book an appointment with a Lexus workshop and have them check the AC control unit. Hopefully, it's a straightforward fix. Turns out, after the workshop visit, the whole thing including labor will cost 980€ to replace the unit!

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