Function And Operation Principle

Fig 1: Identifying Intake Air Temperature Sensor With Resistance Graph

Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.

Intake Air Temperature Sensor (IATS) is installed inside the Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAFS) and detects the intake air temperature. To calculate precise air quantity, correction of the air temperature is needed because air density varies according to the temperature. So the ECM uses not only MAFS signal but also IATS signal. This sensor has a Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) and its resistance is in inverse proportion to the temperature.