At first I couldn't figure out why that would fix anything since I thought the external temperature sensor was just driving the display on the dash, but I guess it'* also how the system determines things like whether it'* safe (i.e. warm enough) to turn on the A/C compressor and things like that.

Nevertheless, I would recommend getting the specific error code first, rather than replacing parts *****-nilly until the problem is fixed (even though you were starting with the cheap ones )