In-Vehicle Temperature Sensor - 2.3L or 3.0L (4V)
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Mercury Mariner and 2008 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
The in-vehicle temperature sensor contains a thermistor, which measures the in-vehicle air temperature and sends that reading to the HVAC module. An aspirator hose is connected between the heater core and evaporator core housing and the in-vehicle temperature sensor. The aspirator hose uses airflow through the heater core and evaporator core housing to create a Venturi-type suction to draw in vehicle air through the in-vehicle temperature sensor (across the thermistor).
The in-vehicle temperature sensor is mounted to the RH lower portion of the instrument cluster finish panel.