– Intake Air Temperature Sensor harness is open or shorted
– Intake Air Temperature Sensor circuit poor electrical connection
The Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensor contains a semiconductor device which changes resistance based on temperature (a thermistor). The IAT sensor mounts in the air intake passage of the engine air induction system. The IAT sensor has a signal circuit and a ground circuit. The PCM applies a voltage (about 5.0 volts) on the signal circuit to the sensor. The PCM monitors changes in this voltage caused by changes in the resistance of the sensor in order to determine the intake air temperature.
When the intake air is cold, the sensor (thermistor) resistance is high, and the PCMs signal voltage is only pulled down a small amount through the sensor to ground. The PCM senses a high signal voltage (low temperature). When the intake air is warm, the sensor resistance is low, and the signal voltage is pulled down a greater amount. This causes the PCM to sense a low signal voltage (high temperature).