The ambient temperature sensor is a variable resistor that operates on a five-volt reference signal. The resistance in the sensor changes as temperature changes, changing the temperature sensor signal circuit voltage to the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM). Based upon the resistance in the sensor, the instrument cluster or Cab Compartment Node (CCN) display senses a specific voltage on the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus circuit, which corresponds to a specific temperature. The compass/temperature display unit then displays the proper ambient temperature.