Overhead Console not working properly?

I'm having a problem on my '01 Ram. The thermometer isn't working properly, lately its been reading the outside air temperature much lower than what the temp. really is. Today was about 85 degrees, F. but my overhead console was reading 7 degrees, F. Everything else such as the compass, and fuel mileage works fine but the thermometer isn't working correctly. Does anyone know what the problem is, I know it isn't a major issue but I'd like to have it corrected?

mines really screwed up to on my 99 1500. the thermometer will read like 117f as soon as you get in the truck and then it drops really low like 2 minutes later then it goes to normal. im not sure why its doing that though. i havent messed with it that much cuz i have been workin on other stuff. i might work on it tomorrow though.

Sounds a lot like the problem I'm having with mine. Mine will go back to normal very rarely now, I dont know if its a sensor or what.

Hold up guys, i'm going to look at the Service manual.

DIAGNOSIS & TESTING - AMBIENT
TEMPERATURE SENSOR
The thermometer function is supported by the
ambient temperature sensor, a wiring circuit, and a
portion of the compass mini-trip computer module. If
any portion of the ambient temperature sensor circuit
fails, the compass/thermometer display function
will self-diagnose the circuit. If 55° C (131° F)
appears in the display, the sensor is being exposed to
temperatures above 55° C (131° F), or the sensor circuit
is shorted. If –40° C (–40° F) appears in the display,
the sensor is being exposed to temperatures
below –40° C (–40° F), or the sensor circuit is open.
The ambient temperature sensor circuit can also be
diagnosed using the following Sensor Test, and Sensor
Circuit Test. If the temperature sensor and circuit
are confirmed to be OK, but the temperature
display is inoperative or incorrect, refer to Compass
Mini-Trip Computer in the Diagnosis and Testing
section of this group. For complete circuit diagrams,
refer to Overhead Console in the Contents of Wiring
Diagrams.
SENSOR TEST
(1) Turn the ignition switch to the Off position.
Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
Disconnect the ambient temperature sensor wire harness
connector.
(2) Measure the resistance of the ambient temperature
sensor. At –40° C (–40° F), the sensor resistance
is 336 kilohms. At 55° C (131° F), the sensor
resistance is 2.488 kilohms. The sensor resistance
should read between these two values. If OK, refer to
Sensor Circuit Test in the Diagnosis and Testing
section of this group. If not OK, replace the faulty
ambient temperature sensor.
SENSOR CIRCUIT TEST
(1) Turn the ignition switch to the Off position.
Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
Disconnect the ambient temperature sensor wire harness
connector and the overhead console wire harness
connector.
(2) Connect a jumper wire between the two terminals
in the body half of the ambient temperature sensor
wire harness connector.
(3) Check for continuity between the sensor return
circuit and the ambient temperature sensor signal
circuit cavities of the roof wire harness overhead console
connector. There should be continuity. If OK, go
to Step 4. If not OK, repair the open sensor return
circuit or ambient temperature sensor signal circuit
to the ambient temperature sensor as required.
(4) Remove the jumper wire from the body half of
the ambient temperature sensor wire harness connector.
Check for continuity between the sensor
return circuit cavity of the roof wire harness overhead
console connector and a good ground. There
should be no continuity. If OK, go to Step 5. If not
OK, repair the shorted sensor return circuit as
required.
(5) Check for continuity between the ambient temperature
sensor signal circuit cavity of the roof wire
harness overhead console connector and a good
ground. There should be no continuity. If OK, refer to
Compass Mini-Trip Computer in the Diagnosis
and Testing section of this group. If not OK, repair
the shorted ambient temperature sensor signal circuit
as required.
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(2) Locate the ambient temperature sensor, on the
underside of the hood near the hood latch striker
(Fig. 8).
(3) Disconnect the wire harness connector from the
ambient temperature sensor connector receptacle.
(4) Remove the one screw that secures the ambient
temperature sensor bracket to the inner hood reinforcement.
(5) Remove the ambient temperature sensor from
the inner hood reinforcement.



right out of the manual

Hey thanks for the great info. gonna give that a try tomorrow.