Symptoms

- Engine Light ON (or Service Engine Soon Warning Light)

Possible Causes

- Dirty air filter - Intake air temperature (IAT) sensor harness is open or shorted - Intake air temperature (IAT) sensor electrical circuit poor connection - Faulty intake air temperature sensor

When Detected

An excessively low voltage from the sensor is sent to ECM.

Description

The Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensor is built into mass air flow sensor or in some vehicles mounted to the air filter duct housing. The sensor detects intake air temperature and transmits a signal to the Engine Control Module (ECM). The temperature sensing unit uses a thermistor which is sensitive to the change in temperature. Electrical resistance of the thermistor decreases in response to the temperature rise. The Intake Air Temperature signal is used as an input for various systems in the vehicle.