How are Intake Air Temperature Sensor issues diagnosed?
Diagnosing the intake air temperature sensor is as easy as taking a temperature. A professional grade scan tool will be connected to the vehicle, and the real time information from the intake air temperature sensor will be read. Simultaneously, the temperature of the intake air tube will be measured directly adjacent to the intake air temperature sensor. This will provide an accurate comparison of actual to measured temperature. Once that comparison is made, the intake air temperature sensor will be shown working or not. If the sensor is working properly, the diagnostic flow will move to other components pertaining to air and fuel induction.
How are Intake Air Temperature Sensors replaced?
Extracting the intake air temperature sensor normally requires removing the electrical connector before pulling a clip, or removing a fastener. In some vehicles, this sensor will pull out or the intake air tube without the need to remove fasteners or mounting hardware. The replacement will go back into the intake air temperature sensor port, and the electrical connection plugged in. Some vehicle have this sensor on the intake manifold, and these will likely unscrew like a bolt, and replacement only requires sealing the threads and screwing the new sensor into the port. Intake manifold mounted IAT sensors are fairly uncommon.
RepairPal Recommendations for Intake Air Temperature Sensor issues
As always, we recommend thorough testing, even for small and easy to replace items like the intake air temperature (IAT) sensor. Once the circuit is understood, and the part is understood, diagnostic testing can be completed quickly without additional costs.
What to look out for when dealing with Intake Air Temperature Sensor issues
The diagnostic approach described assumes the circuit is in perfect working order, but remember that short to ground or an open wire for the intake air temperature sensor, and this would show the temperature to be incorrect even with a good IAT sensor. If testing the resistance across the thermistor (IAT sensor), a source of hot air is only necessary when the temperature is considerably higher than body temperature. Holding the sensor tightly will increase the temperature enough to watch for changes in resistance, yet prevent melting the exterior of the sensor.
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Can I replace the Intake Air Temperature Sensor myself?
This repair and diagnostic process is very easy. Even when done with a multimeter instead of computerized scanning equipment, there are typically only two wires to test to analyze the circuit, and testing the sensor by resistance with heat will take moments. However, if the PCM has stored trouble codes such as P0111 or P0113 with a good IAT sensor and circuit, the job should be passed to a professional technician with diagnostic scanning equipment.