Hello, it sounds like there is an intermittent issue with either the coolant temp sensor, its wiring, or the PCM. Because the PCM is taking the action of disabling the AC, it is probably actually seeing an issue, instead of the Instrument Cluster having a gauge problem. There is some service info that states the Temperature gauge will default to 0 or full cold for 3 different reasons, which Ill post that info for you. But monitoring some live engine data would indicate where the problem might be.
When thermistors fault such as the coolant temp sensor, intake air temp sensor, or any other 2 wire temperature sensor, their live data will usually always go to -40 degrees, that means there is an open in the circuit. Is the Check Engine coming on as well during this fault? Below is the service info on the gauge staying a full cold. I would think there would be a diagnostic trouble code set in the PCM if there was an engine coolant temperature sensor fault occurring. If not, it might be an issue with the PCM itself, The Body Control module might even set a code if it loses communication with the PCM. It looks like the coolant temp data is sent to the BCM first from the PCM, and the BCM sends the data to the Instrument Cluster. But one of these modules should be setting a code. The coolant temperature sensor is one of the most important inputs to the PCM, especially on a cold engine.
But scan tool engine data with definitely have a data PID for the engine coolant temp sensor (ECT), in the morning it should read just about ambient temperature and be equal to the intake air temperature sensor reading until the vehicle it started and engine temperature starts to rise.
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-coolant-temperature-sensor-works
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Wednesday, July 26th, 2023 AT 11:15 AM