Bad Ambient Air Temperature reading from ECM, does it even matter?

[IndyGT]

Okay, since I installed my HSRK, I have hooked up my Superchips Cortex to monitor IAT, Engine Temp and Ambient Air Temp while driving a few times on hot days. I had noticed that the Ambient Air reading was always a few degrees different than the reading on the HVAC/radio display. No big deal, I just assumed that the ECM has it's own sensor somewhere else.

Today when I go to lunch, I hook up the Cortex and the Ambeint Air reading is 31*F, the actual outside temp is 80*F. The IAT and engine temp are reading as expected. I tried restarting the car and the Cortex, same thing. After a few miles of driving the reading climbed to 35*. Is there a sensor going bad? Does the ECM even use this reading for anything important? Any idea where this sensor is located? BTW, the car did get rained on while parked a couple of hours before I noticed this.

Thanks!

[wreckwriter]

Sure its not reading in C instead of F? 30C is approx 80 F I believe.....

[IndyGT]

Sure its not reading in C instead of F? 30C is approx 80 F I believe.....

Hmm, just double checked and the display says F, but that does sound like a C reading. Just for fun I looked at the catalyst temp bank 1 sensor 1 and it gave a 36*F reading (engine has been off for an hour) which is obviously not correct either. I think updating the tuner might have messed up the logging features.

[Chewy]

30ºC is 86ºF and 35ºC is 95ºF

[-Ray-]

The temp sensor displayed in the radio display has no bearing on engine parameters in any way.