You are correct - I want the "inside skinny" on why it does what it does.

BTW - the outside temp sensor for the indicator in the instrument cluster is different than the one for the A/C, at least on my '92.

The instrument cluster sensor is attached to the tow-hook door on the driver's side.

The A/C sensor "plugs" into the A/C fan "gallery" under the hood right next to the ABS pump. That's the most accurate location for gauging the temp of the air being pulled into the system. That's why it's so important to have good seals for the hood, especially the one that runs across the car from fender-to-fender. Without that one, hot underhood air can be pulled into the system.

I think the only purpose that sensor plays in the "climate control game" is to determine whether or not the compressor should run - I believe system programming turns it off at temps below 32? Anything above that and it runs as needed by the CC unit.

Most of the programming logic I've seen on automatic climate controls (across all makes, models and years) doesn't require any input from outside temps to make the system work correctly. They "do what they do" based on requested temp settings and internal temperature readings. The farther apart the 2 numbers are, the more aggressively the system runs. I'm just trying to figure out what the system should be doing when the various sensors and settings are in a particular relationship to one another.