Intake Air Temperature Sensor
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Pontiac Vibe. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
The Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensor is an integral part of the Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor that is mounted in the air cleaner assembly. IAT sensor measures temperature of the air entering the intake manifold. IAT sensor provides temperature information to the circuitry of the MAF sensor and the PCM.
The IAT sensor is a thermistor, a resistor whose resistance changes as a function of temperature. When temperature is low, resistance is high. See IAT SENSOR OPERATION table. The resistance decreases as temperature increases. IAT sensor is a 2-wire circuit with a reference or signal voltage and a ground coming from the PCM.
IAT SENSOR OPERATION
| Temperature | Resistance | Voltage |
|---|---|---|
| Low | High | High |
| High | Low | Low |